Dwellers of the Deep by Wobbler

Dwellers of the Deep, by the Norwegian band Wobbler, is their most recent album, released in 2020.
The entire album is animated by a splendid prog sound with 1970s influences, with excellent Moog and Mellotron parts featuring the great Lars Fredrik Frøislie, whom I've spoken about extensively for his solo projects and with other bands. It features plenty of vocals, powerful bass, and excellent acoustic guitar arrangements, peaceful atmospheres, and fluid melodies, but also epic and captivating songs.

It admirably distances itself from the group's familiar sound, referencing Gentle Giant but paying decidedly homage to the early Yes of the 1970s, combining the progressive rock of that era with modern complexity, creating an intense and captivating sound.

45 minutes for four splendid tracks of beautiful symphonic rock
- "By the Banks" opens the album in an epic and overwhelming way, full of tension and complex instrumental sections, very powerful.
- "Five Rooms" features beautiful organ parts, Mellotron, and powerful bass grooves with great vocal melodies taking center stage.
- "Naiad Dreams," the album's shortest track, has a pastoral, acoustic mood, with a medieval pace, highlighting the band's different sensibilities, expressed with equal mastery.
- "Merry Macabre" is the TOP TRACK, a 19-minute-plus track that closes the album, with a majestic, aggressive riff and a symphonic sound, featuring spectacular keyboard work.

All the band members display impressive technical prowess, but special mention goes to Martin Nordrum Kneppen's superb drumming and the high-quality production.

For me, "Dwellers of the Deep" is by far their best album, especially for Symponic Prog fans.

Tracklist
1. By the Banks (13:49)
2. Five Rooms (8:28)
3. Naiad Dreams (4:24)
4. Merry Macabre (19:00)
Running Time: 45:41

Lineup
- Andreas Wettergreen Strømman Prestmo - vocals, guitars
- Marius Halleland - guitars, backing vocals
- Lars Fredrik Frøislie - keyboards
- Kristian Karl Hultgren/bass
- Martin Nordrum Kneppen - drums