2024 (self released)
A prog artist from Morocco, now that’s not something you hear every day. Yet, the mastermind behind the project Achelas is no stranger to the scene. Achraf El Asraoui, formerly the vocalist of the French prog band Nine Skies, is a name some may already recognize. You can hear his warm, deep voice, described by me as a cello with vocal cords, on the albums “5.20” and “The LightMaker.” Now, he’s fully devoted to his own project, with “Echoes Of Virtue” marking its fifth release.
In addition to being a great vocalist El Asraoui is an excellent guitarist/ composer and a nice multi-instrumentalist. Alongside drummer Mouad Azizi, he unleashes his creativity, resulting in a profound blend of progressive rock and metal with hints of psychedelia and native Moroccan influences. The album is built on a well-thought-out concept. Both the music and lyrics paint the picture of a disillusioned individual navigating a bleak, fractured world. At times, the atmosphere is melancholic, as in Echoes Across The Cosmos, a tribute to Nine Skies musician Eric Bouillette, who passed away in 2022. Another example is Lies In Their Eyes where the shimmering guitar solo by guest musician Philipp Dauenhauer (Karibow) adds to the somber mood. In these moments, the album’s spiritual depth bursts through the speakers.
As any strong concept album should, both the opening and closing tracks are highly evocative. The entire album feels like an immersive storytelling experience. The short opener Dialogue 33 portrays the tense conversation between a pilot and his co-pilot moments before their helicopter crashes. Against a backdrop of whirring rotor blades, deep bass lines, dissonant guitar riffs, and native vocals, this piece has been haunting my thoughts for days.
The following track, Veils Of Unseen Realities showcases the album’s most overtly metal elements. El Asraoui delivers excellent guitar work, complemented perfectly by Azizi’s thunderous drumming. The music captures a sense of something deeply wrong with modern society. There’s just the right amount of grimness without pushing it too far. The intense Echoes Across The Cosmos is equally authentic, even as it transitions into heavier metal territory halfway through. In contrast, Celestial Paradox is a beautiful miniature piece featuring exquisite acoustic guitar work. Comparisons to “5.20” by Nine Skies are easy to draw here, and they’re meant as a compliment.
Sung in Moroccan, Dazt Laawam (The Year is Over) is perhaps the album’s most turbulent track. Starting with a reggae-inspired rhythm and ending in a brilliant prog guitar segment, El Asraoui pushes the boundaries of his musical universe with 60s-like sounds, fluttering acoustic guitar melodies, obstinate percussion, and a psychedelic keyboard solo. With Dazt Laawam El Asraoui delivers a truly unique piece.
The subsequent tracks don’t disappoint either. As previously mentioned, Lies In Their Eyes is a stunning highlight, while Echoes Of The Unseen stands out as a quintessential Achelas composition with a distinctive twist. The closing track, Honest Dream is yet another gem, featuring flawless timing and a captivating guitar melody.
With “Echoes Of Virtue” Achraf El Asraoui has made a remarkable contribution to the world of progressive music. It would be only fair if someone with influence took note of his exceptional talent.
© Dick van der Heijde 2024