BLANK MANUSKRIPT - STUDIO - LIVE - SESSION AT ORF RADIOKULTURHAUS

Last week received the latest BLANK MANUSKRIPT album called 'Studio - Live - Session At ORF Radio Kulturhaus' and honestly took me by surprise, this wasn't what I expected from the same band that released the epic and absolutely symphonic 'Tales from an Island - Impressions from Rapa Nui', but neither was disappointed, it's obvious they are trying a new approach, more jazzy with a bit of Avant but keeping the strength of previous records.

As usual they are a keyboard oriented band with Dominik Wallner being impeccable but this time they add some strong flute passages and an amazing bass by Alfons Wohlmuth and a very eclectic Saxophone sections that I enjoyed very much '.Well, to be honest, all the band members are excellent musicians.

Even when I liked every track, what surprised me more was the mysterious Magician's Dance which reminds me strongly of The End by THE DOORS, but with a magnificent flute performance and a solid rhythm section.

Another track that impressed me is the melancholic 'Silent Departure' that reminded me of their previous release 'The Waiting Soldier', which was another solid album.

But of course Pressure of Pride blew my schemes, lot of Jazz dissonances and a clear step away from traditional Symphonic. Normally I wouldn't like this change, but in this case it's very adventurous and a sign of a band that wants to reinvent them instead of living in the past, and that's something I will always respect from any band.

To be honest 'The Waiting Soldier', is still my favorite BLANK MANUSKRIPT record and have a weakness for their debut, but Studio-Live-Sessions is an album that deserves to be listened. Not only by Symphonic fans but for people who are willing to listen a group of musicians ready to take risks and explore a new sound.

So for that reason will go with four solid stars, and hope they won't make us wait another three years for their next project.