HINTERLAND

This is the best symphonic prog album of the year (2005) IMO. It has it's flaws. Some parts of the songs ramble a bit and you can tell the band is young and still learning where they want to go. Their sound is very much in the ANGLAGARD style though with a bit more modern prog touches, borrowing bits here and there from I.Q. and ANEKDOTEN as well as classic bands like YES, GENTLE GIANT and GENESIS. The long and winding songs range from acoustic interludes to pompous symphonic prog delight. If you love complex and lush symphonic prog with mellotron, organ and other analog keys combining with acoustic and electric guitar - similar to ANGLAGARD - then this is a must- have CD. This is TRUE symphonic prog here my friends. No neo-prog masquerading as symphonic. If only more bands would try this style. If you want another band in this style that is less known, give Maxwell's Demon a try! - 4.5 stars.