AURGANIC – Distant Echoes & Close Encounters

Back with their third album, Aurganic have now nearly perfected their Indie Rock infused concoction of atmospheric style Pop Rock. On Distant Echoes & Close Encounters, we find the duo dipping a bit more into their more organic, Classic Rock influences than on previous efforts. For the more guitar oriented fans, this brings a welcome departure from the heavy use of electronic instruments. While this release does still contain ample amounts of synth and keyboard pads, its use is generally complementary and unobtrusive. That said, the songwriting talent on display here cannot be denied. This release, on the whole, showcases numerous well-crafted songs.

Tracks like “Signs” feature some excellent Yngwie Malmsteen inspired, dotted eighth-note, echo-based guitar licks, as well as some of the album’s most inspired vocal performances. Michael Kossov’s voice is bright, energetic, and airy, perfectly matching the vibe of the instrumentation. Generally speaking, the drums are the most in-your-face and fierce component of Distant Echoes & Close Encounters, however in typical Indie Rock fashion, they are awash in a sea of reverb, giving them the atmospheric style that so many releases of the genre strive for.

For the more Hard Rock and Metal leaning fans, Distant Echoes & Close Encounters will serve as a nice break between headbanging sessions. While it may not find itself in heavy rotation among Slayer and Gloryhammer, Aurganic’s guitar driven nature keeps it accessible and energetic enough to be welcomed by a wide range of general Rock fans.