Muziekrecensies
Films, TV series and Iceland inspired ‘In Between’, the debut album by Japanese composer/pianist Emi Nishida. The first tones of ‘Yanse’ are subdued but intense; they touch me immediately. It stays that way also when the cinematic elements are added. The extraordinary sequel is totally different from what was expected. Partly due to the Asian … Read more, available in English and Dutch
Residuos Mentales (Greece) consists of Stratos Morianos (keyboards) and Alexandros Mantas (guitars, bass and flute). This instrumental studio project was founded over a decade ago. In 2018, they launched ‘Introspection’. Now ‘A Temporary State of Bliss’ is released. This prog rock album has cross -overs to metal and funk, among others.The first piece of ‘The … Read more, available in English and Dutch
Multi-instrumentalist Thomas Glönkler was (in the 1980s-90s) the leader of German prog band ICU. After that band broke up, he released some solo albums: Auszeit (2005) and Goldstadt (2010). His new album is called ‘Tiefenland’. This concept album is about a fictional world, with an origin, and intermediate world and a future world. Thomas says … Read more, available in English and Dutch
New melodic prog-metal band Temic consists of known members: Fredrik Bergersen, Eric Gillette, Simen Sandnes, and Diego Tejeida. Their debut album is called: ‘Terror Management Theory’. Apart from a few musical rests, there are plenty of twists, details and change of styles in the music. Not all twists and outros are sublime. The contrasts between … Read more, available in English and Dutch
Hekz is an international prog rock/metal band, Terra Nova is their fourth album. In a nutshell, this double album is about the personal struggle regarding ambition, duality and personal development. Part one of the title track has a catchy opening. Frontman Matt Young’s voice is less heavy than you might expect in this genre, but … Read more, available in English and Dutch
Singer/multi-instrumentalist Dave Kerzner plays in several prog rock bands. He also releases solo albums. His new album ‘Heart Land Mines Vol. 1′ is autobiographical. After and bad relationship, Dave drove away, without a plan; but with suitcase and guitar. He doesn’t only speak about her behaviour, and its consequences, but also about self-reflection. Not everything … Read more, available in English and Dutch
‘T.A.P.’ is an international, instrumental studio band. ‘Paradigms’ is their debut album. They mix fusion, prog and ambient rock with jazz, ethnic influences and soundscapes, among others. There are changes in styles, atmospheres and tempo. The differences in volume between the subdued/mysterious pieces and the rocking parts, for instance, are quite small. Occasionally, there are … Read more, available in English and Dutch
Multi-instrumentalist Darrel Treece-Birch is keyboardist of TEN and Nth Ascension. He also released a number of solo instrumental albums under his own name, including ‘Healing Touch’ (2017.) Now ‘Choices’ is out, the debut album by his Melodic prog rock band ‘Atlantea’. This concept album is about situations in life, such as hope and fear. And … Read more, available in English and Dutch
Damian Wilson has been active for 30 years as frontman of several bands. He celebrated this anniversary with his ‘One Knight Only’ tour, which featured five musicians. Some of these include band members of Lalu, of which Damian is frontman. Other bands Damian has been a part of include Threshold, Landmarq and Headspace. He has … Read more, available in English and Dutch
‘Virgin Grounds’ is the new CD by composer/keyboardist Ton Scherpenzeel. On this, there are only two new songs: ‘Departure’ and ‘Arrival’. The rest comes from ‘Orion’ (1991), some of the tracks rearranged. You can hear the “synth atmosphere” of the late ’80s early ’90s as early as ‘Departure’, and it persists throughout. Overall, the sound … Read more, available in English and Dutch