Agropelter - The Book Of Hours (CD)

Agropelter’s album The Book Of Hours is a contemporary instrumental work firmly rooted in the progressive rock and symphonic rock genres, with touches of jazz, classical, and cinematic influences. Released on CD in 2025, it represents the debut studio effort of Norwegian multi-instrumentalist Kay Olsen and gathers an impressive cohort of collaborators, including Jonas Reingold and Mattias Olsson. The album distinguishes itself through its nuanced ensemble approach, where no instrument dominates; instead, the music unfolds in rich dialogues between flute, organ, mellotron, piano, guitar, fretless bass, and a wide palette of vintage synthesizers and classical strings.

From its first moments, the album sets an atmospheric and emotional tone. Opening with the evocative 'Flute of Peril', it quickly establishes a cinematic, almost classical sensibility, using shy flute melodies and gentle guitar work to conjure a sense of foreboding and expectation. This is followed by 'Levitator', a carefully constructed progression marked by synth textures, resonant bass, subtle electronic accents, and a hovering church organ atmosphere that lingers hauntingly. The piece gradually builds with restrained percussion that only intensifies the sense of patience and focus embedded in the album’s style.

One of the standout tracks is 'Burial Mound', which leans heavily into a classical guitar sound and an ethereal mood. Here, the emotional depth is palpable, with distant bass, delicate cymbal work, and a reverent atmosphere evoking themes of mourning and remembrance. The album frequently employs these somber tones throughout its runtime, suggesting an undercurrent of anti-war sentiment and reflection on time and loss, even though the record remains entirely instrumental.

The center of the album is the sprawling four-part suite 'The Book of Hours', which unfolds as a series of musical movements rather than fragmented songs. 'The Book of Hours part 1' dazzles with its length and dynamic shifts, plunging into bombastic piano solos before venturing into cosmic jazz territories and immense fretless bass passages. 'The Book of Hours part 2' offers a gentler turn, letting harpsichord, synthesizers, and church organ take the lead, subtly mirroring the ticking of clocks and evoking a persistent sense of memory and anticipation. The later parts of the suite continue this narrative—sometimes somber, sometimes swinging—featuring soaring guitars, dueling keyboards, and intricate Minimoog runs.

What ultimately sets The Book Of Hours apart is not only its technical virtuosity but its structural ambition. Agropelter crafts the album less as a series of separate tracks than as movements in a larger, cohesive piece, reminiscent of the classical and symphonic tradition. The result is an emotionally charged, carefully nuanced record that rewards attentive listening, making it a compelling addition to modern progressive rock and essential for fans who appreciate intricate instrumental storytelling.