This release stands apart in E.O.N.'s musical course. It was almost the end of an era before the band soon more focused on the darker techstep with heavy bass and analogs they are renowned for. Even if "ASTRAL" sounds more and more dated nowadays, one must admit it's progressive with refreshing changes of beats and some pleasant key straight opening the intro. But "YES" is the reason to still pay attention to this one by now. Everything appears as if E.O.N. intended to challenge the best intelligent d'n'b releases of those days !! ...And they succeed, indeed !!! The powerful deep vibe, cleverly sustained by a liquid yet percussive drumline, organic and vivace, is generated by superimposition of a pearls and diamonds glissando loop of harp, evocative of the Far East, along with blissful high registered layers in the background. Soon a lucid meditative solo of key adds its magics to that fair yet array of tones. All goes on, till we hear the female "yes!" with delay on and then prepare to classic break... Gosh!!!Did I say "break"??!! Did I say "classic"????!!!! I must have said "another tune within the first"... !!!!!! By hell, it's one of most memorable of that period !!!! How noble the strings are ! Anyway, you can't miss such an heroic tune. Ah...one last thing : for your pleasure it's more than 10 mn long... Essential recording.