Universe217 – Never

One of the bands that have contributed more than a lot to the evolution of the whole Greek music scene the last decade is definitely Athenians Universe 217. Their first self-titled album in 2007 showed we had to deal with something special, a thing which was proven with their later releases ”II” and ”Familiar Places” in 2009 and 2011. Punctual to their every two year releases, this time they release their third album called ”Never” and if we claim that it is the album they had always wanted to create, we wouldn’t be that far away from reality, as ”Never” is their most mature and rich in sounds release so far.

Also, it is their longest playing album, about 44 minutes long, something showing that the band was satisfied with their material and decided to give a little longer duration to this third critical album. Starting with ”Mouth”, it is certain you’re going to dive once again in a trance-like state, the same that you feel when you see them playing live, which is the real force of the band. If you see these guys live, then the compositions on their albums take a better and more experimental form, that’s why they have played support in many great bands, not only sharing rightfully the stage with them, but also humiliating some of them (like they did with Anathema some years ago for example).

The next five tracks of the album could easily be one long song, as they all work as one. The depth of ”Enter”, the Tool feeling of ”Mark My Word”, the great duo of ”Stay” and ”Gravity” and finally the haunting ”Harm” will hold you in a state of paralysis before you understand that there’s only three tracks left on the album. ”She” is the longest track, stopping a little before reaching eleven minutes, but offering you more than eleven albums of other bands could do. ”Electrified” serves its role between the two longest tracks of the album, as the title track will close the album and leave its marks upon you.

”Never” is an eight minute punishing track which we were listening to their gigs for many years and we kept on asking why it’s not included in some of their albums. Maybe it was the right time to be recorded. Those who saw Tanya on vocals singing this specific one with all her senses as her whole self is crumbling up and down (like she does in every single note she sings), were talking about a hidden masterpiece. Fortunately this time everyone has the chance to listen to it and even those not familiar with the band’s music so far, will surely start digging them thoroughly after this album.

Universe 217 remain a great band which has already proven what they’re capable of. I can tell for sure that this is the album which comes closer to their live atmosphere and that’s why it’s the most special they’ve done so far in my opinion. The whole band is in excellent shape and once you catch them live once again (can’t have enough of them after all, can you?) or for the first time, you’ll see why the expectations raise even higher as years pass by. Last but not least, the Greek Janis Joplin as I’m used to refering to Tanya will convince you that there’s always more to a talent, as long as it remains true to itself and always knows what it wants. The best album of the band, until the next one…