RITES AT DAWN

After ten years of slump where few progs seem to appreciate the music offered by Wobbler, Lars Fredrik Froislie's team decides to change direction. In this decision, the choice of Andreas Prestmo as the new singer is decisive. The clear timbre of his voice which immediately recalls that of Yes (a strange mix between John Anderson and Cris Squire), and the almost constant presence of the song within the pieces, naturally directs the band's music in a new direction. Despite this, the release of Rites at Dawn did not bring the expected success. Many now blame the group for being too influenced by Yes. However, we are light years away from a tasteless Starcastle clone!

I think those nostalgic for Yes (and to a lesser extent for Gentle Giant, the voice of Andreas at 1:46 from "In Orbit") will be delighted to discover this record. It offers warm and brilliant music, with many alternations between calm and very fast moments. The dark and tortured influence of Anglagard is left aside but Wobbler keeps a rich instrumentation (bassoon, saxophone, flute, glockenspiel), which has been its specificity for more than ten years. In the same way the Scandinavian folk influence is neglected, only the central passage of "The River" is an exception. Lars Fredrik's Wakemanesque piano parts evoke Fragile and Kristian Karl's rumbling bass bring us back to our memories. Also new for the group, we hear here and there many nods to Genesis (for example the intro of "A Fairie's Play", or "In Orbit" at 5:53).

Over the years, recognition of Wobbler's phenomenal work as a symphonic prog band grew, and Rites at Dawn saw their notoriety rise. It is deserved !

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