The Star Prairie Project is based in the town of the same name in Wisconsin, USA. They’ve just come to my attention this side of the pond through their new concept album The Shining Ones.
By Graeme Smith
Having only been around since 2019, The Star Prairie Project, led by Nolen Chew Jr., have released an astounding seven studio albums to date, and their creativity and prolificity seems to know no bounds.
Their latest album in an ambitious one, delving deep into the story of its titular organisation of shamanic priests. Claimed to be something other than human, these beings have supposedly existed alongside us since ancient times, helping us to survive with their secret teachings.
That may sound all a little “tin-foil hat” but putting the conspiracy theories aside, The Shining Ones is an album rich with narrative. Nolen’s knack for storytelling is brought to life through the vocals of Marcello Viera and Sandrine Orsini, and supported by the guitar of Ricardo Dikk.
The journey begins with the long, brooding notes of Dawnlight of The Gods. Isolated and echoing guitar comes in, turning things psych rock before haunting vocalisations join it, reminiscent a little of Pink Floyd’s The Great Gig In The Sky. It all builds to a powerful finish that will have you hooked.
The story of The Shining Ones unfolds over fourteen track and nearly an hour of playtime, so it’s definitely one that you need to make time for. Yet, it never feels overlong, with plenty of variation between tracks. Oh Ye Shining Ones and Where Did We All Come From provide some early liveliness. Dramatic hard rock moments like My Kundalini, And He Was Not and Trying to Climb The Tower are tempered by softer meditations like Music is Gnosis, I’ll Fly Away and Mary Magdalene. It’s all wrapped up with some fiery passion in album closer Twilight of Mankind.
As a concept, The Shining Ones is out there. Yet, it’s beautifully realised by The Star Prairie Project and as a collection, it rocks with a capital ‘R’. If you’re looking for a story in which to get lost today, look no further.
You can check out The Shining Ones below.
