Astra's otherworldly tones are pulled unreservedly right from the 1970s book of progressive psychadellica, and then offered in 2012 packaging. There are copious amounts of Mellotron, blues licks in bouncing stereo, and just about every other prog cliche. At times they're ripping off Pink Floyd to the note, such as the opener which may as well have been titled 'Shine on You Crazy Diamond v2012', other times it's King Crimson copping the flack - but interestingly they do it all with some sense of authenticity. This in the end is what makes The Black Chord listenable, despite its deprivation of memorable weight. If it weren't for some well placed distinctions here and there ('Barefoot in the Head' in particular) The Black Chord would not only feel like another imitation, but a poor one at that. Thankfully, they manage to pull it off, only just, though.
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