{"id":8220,"date":"2021-10-18T11:07:09","date_gmt":"2021-10-18T09:07:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kessel-tamerus.nl\/Esthers_Blog\/?p=8220"},"modified":"2021-10-18T11:07:10","modified_gmt":"2021-10-18T09:07:10","slug":"force-of-progress-r3design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kessel-tamerus.nl\/Esthers_Blog\/cd-recensie\/force-of-progress-r3design\/","title":{"rendered":"Force Of Progress – R3Design"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If you look at the cover of R3Design (ReDesign), it looks more like a CD ROM than a music CD. But prog lovers know that Force Of Progress is a German prog rock\/metal project. The three band members all play a couple of keyboard instruments. Moreover Chris Grundmann and Markus Roth also play (bass)guitar. R3Design is their third (instrumental) album.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Ultra Conservation’ has an up-tempo start with a lot of keyboard work. Despite the sometimes-electronic sound of the keyboards, it is mainly metal related. At times it is a bit hectic, this song actually symbolizes the transition from ‘A secret place’ (their previous album) to \u2018R3Design\u2019. Between the up-tempo parts there are some quieter pieces, the sound of these is not always bright. Also, the sound of the cymbals in the up-tempo parts could have been better. The end of this opening track is nice and tight.

The start of ‘Viral Signs I – Ambassador Of Light’ is atmospheric. The acoustic guitar play forms a nice melange with the different sounds of the keyboards. Then the music goes in the direction of metal, this is alternated or mixed with piano sounds. The drums have a nice full sound but cymbals sound too tinny. The ticking sound of an (old) alarm clock comes back a few times, just like the wordless choir. Again, sparkling piano sounds are woven in between the metal. The metal content of the (bass) guitar forms a fine blend with the high notes of the keyboards. Also, now there is a good build-up to the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In ‘Viral Signs II – Incident 3030′ you can hear among others: the 70’s sound of the organ, some vocals and the added sound of sirens. Then there is appropriate restlessness in the music.
There are various twists and turns, the high notes in the music sometimes approach the sound of violins. In a subdued part, the \u201cadded noise\u201d takes too much attention away from the beautiful guitar playing. A while later, the balance is back. Again, turns follow each other in high tempo. There are tightly played parts, alternated with up tempo and slowly played parts. In short, this is a good epic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Redesign is about losing a loved one. From the busy times (first part), to the impact of mourning, and then rebuilding a new life. This title track starts with electronic sounds. At times, the keyboards sound nice and proggy. In the quite extended compelling part, the cymbals sound a lot more natural. For the last few minutes, tempo and volume go up. Then this last song ends (as the only one) with a fade out. This end simply belongs here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the sound of the cymbals is not always clear and warm, Dennis Degen’s drumming is a real asset. The songs are constructed with care and each song ends nicely. There are numerous details, for example, subtly added choir singing. Some details you only hear after a few listens, and that’s one of the beautiful things of prog. On ‘R3Design’ you don’t only hear a lot of different keys, with all its different sounds. But there are also a lot of (cool) guitar solos. The melange between keys and strings is generally good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(76\/100) (Progressive Promotion Records<\/a>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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