DISTANT MONSTERS

Occasionally, just occasionally, in over fifty years of listening, a record turns up which I can simply enjoy from start to finish, without any need to seek out the fast forward button. Think of...Forever Changes (Love's tour-de-force and, arguably, still the greatest LP ever released), Trespass, Stand Up (totally overshadows the later, much-trumpeted Aqualung, in my opinion), CTTE, Pollen, Life is Beautiful (Holly Lerski) (a criminally overlooked and under-rated indie masterpiece), Script, In the Region of the Summer Stars, Hurry up, We're Dreaming (M83) (magnificent, synth-washed colossus), van Occupanther, Difference Machine, Road of Bones..... you get the picture. I wouldn't go so far as to elevate Distant Monsters to the giddy heights of the aforementioned, but this is an absolutely cracking, sumptuous-sounding CD, with all eight tracks bang on the nail, beautifully paced, with foot-tapping rhythms, swirling undercurrents, soaring guitar breaks and memorable chorus lines...all in all, neo-prog heaven. Overall sound is not far removed from that of Red Sand, but that's just fine as far as I'm concerned. All in all, for sheer pleasure and enjoyment, this takes some beating. Release date saw it squeezed into back end of 2015, long after "Best of Year" polls had closed, but I reckon this might otherwise have knocked much of the competition into a cocked hat. Absolutely loved it.

Try to pick up the spirit and create your own thing! Since they are active for more than two decades in the meanwhile, the MARTIGAN crew have the ability to make a lasting impression, at least when it comes to such a distant monster like this. The band is mainly, but not solely, underway in the neo prog tradition. Thus, from time to time you will detect hints pointing to the likes of IQ, Marillion, Saga, RPWL, Gate6. So much for a rough orientation music-wise. What matters in the end, no wonder, touches the quality of the compositions, and the characteristics the particular members are contributing.

Concerning the latter I'd like to mention Kai Markwordt first of all. His vocals are one of a kind really, very empathic, optimally integrated into the sound. Just starting with Theodor's Walls all the aforementioned attributes are blended here. I mean the unusual multi-variant song structure, rich guitar riffing in between, the quite simple but perfect piano loop which accompanies you over the course, and finally a singing voice which leaves me with no option but to be excited. This track appears to be outstanding, a real masterpiece!

The following songs are offering more diverse impressions, from a wonderfully relaxed and melodic appearance regarding Simplicius and TipToe to some extended instrumental parts to be found on The Lake or Fire On The Pier for example. Hell! It took some time to write my words, released in December last year the album ultimately obtained a place on my top twenty list for 2015 at least. Recommended, 'Distant Monsters' is an album of a high caliber. Don't miss that!

German band MARTIGAN has been an ongoing venture for more than 20 years, and following a few initial albums released in quick succession early on, they now come out with a new album in a five to six year long cycles. "Distant Monsters" is their fifth studio recording, and was released by Progressive Promotion Records towards the tail end of 2015.

Elegant, accessible and melodic neo-progressive rock comes across as the rock-solid foundation upon which Martigan crafts their compositions. With a foot and a half well inside early '80s neo-progressive rock, with some careful flavors and details borrowed from the sound many such bands explored in the '90s to boot, Martigan's latest production comes across as a truly delightful album for anyone with an interest in early neo-progressive rock, and perhaps especially those with a passionate interest for bands exploring similar landscapes to what the Fish-era Marillion did back in the day.

Let's bring the distant monster a little closer so we can get a better look.

So, I was reading a review for another artist that I like quite a bit, and the reviewer said if you like this then you really need to check out Martigan's 'Distant Monsters'. That was great advice. As has often been the case here on the archives I discovered another great artist I had never heard of.

First glimpse of the album artwork, while amusing, didn't leave me overly optimistic of what would follow musically. But within a few notes of the first track it was apparent that this was going to be a grand adventure.

Theodor's Walls, a bit of a mini epic track starts with a haunting piano cycle and some slow guitar licks and then chunky base, and then followed by emotional vocals well suited to the musical journey to follow. The sound runs from kind of poppy happy to sinister, interwoven with vocal sound clips, from very relaxed to a rising intensity. And while not a real common thing in prog music there is a chorus hook that comes in intermittently that ties it all together, but trust me this is not hit music radio friendly ' they just wouldn't understand. A spectacular opening track that has been on my heavy rotation for some time. Amusingly to me, while the lyrics are in English, is that half the time I don't have a clue what the words are, and I don't even care as it all sounds so good! A definite 10/10

Lion starts with big beat drums and nice guitar, has a certain Genesis / Peter Gabriel feel to it. This one has a a number of tempo changes, some great keys, guitar runs, and an appealing tension that really drives it a long. Great lyrics ; one of my favorite tracks. 10/10

Simplicious is a lovely ballad with warm lyrics, and a nice guitar solo to wrap it up. Not an overly complicated piece but one that is immensely enjoyable. In a perfect world that accepts prog music maybe this would be a hit single? Probably not I suppose. 9/10

Complicious is also in a ballad mode, but an entirely different tempo and lyrical arrangement. It builds to a nice intensity towards the end and also features a guitar solo to close it up. While this and the previous track have a similar overall song structure, they don't sound much a like and both are a good listen. 8/10

The lake starts with a crunchy key board riff that runs through most of the song that sets the general tone in an up beat mid tempo pace with more urgent lyrics that suit the music well. About midway through the base starts becoming more prominent followed by a nice melodic guitar run that lasts several minutes. Eventually the base and keys come back and take over, and then finishes up with a restrained lead guitar solo. Closes out with almost singable lyrics. Very nice! 10/10

On Tiptoe starts just like the name indicates, with pensive slow piano notes, a low lyric. The singing here has a Peter Gabriel aura to it, which helps make it easily accessible. While I like this tract it never really lifts off but remains in the same tone all the way through. Maybe the weakest track, and yet not bad. It's just that the other tracks are so good! 7/10

Fire on the Pier comes out of the gate with some strong guitar and growling lyrics, as growling goes for Martigan. A nice contrast to the previous low key track. Like the lyrics on this, very melodic and memorable, again with some chorus type hooks here and there that nicely keep the song all tied together. This one features some nice drum work, guitar exercises, tempo changes, and the like. 8/10

Take Me or Leave Me starts once again with the pensive lone piano. A very vulnerable feeling song that lingers for about three minutes and then picks up in intensity and fades back. This is repeated two or three times and finally slowly fades out once and for all. While a nice track, seems a bit weak for the album closer. Might have been better placed earlier in the set. 7/10

Wow! Over all, a great find. This is melodic prog with good lyrics, well sung, and a nice array of musical highlights. While much is pretty mellow, there are moments that lift off musically, but always suitably restrained. Just the way I like it.

From what I have been able to ascertain, Martigan puts out a new album about every four to five years, so they should be about due. Let's hope!

And, oh yeah, I decided that I really like the album cover artwork a lot. Not sure how it ties in to the music, but guess it doesn't really matter when the music is this good.

Four plus distant monsters for this one!

By the time of Martigan's fifth album in 2015 they had been releasing music for 20 years and given their incredibly solid neo-style of progressive rock one can certainly see where they had come from. If I had heard this back in the early Nineties, I would have said it fitted in incredibly well with the current scene, although these days the sub-genre is looked down upon and many bands have moved away. Kai Markwordt (lead & backing vocals, electric, Spanish & 12- string guitars), Björn Bisch (guitars, e-bow), Oliver Strahl (Rebhan) (keyboards, backing vocals), Mario Koch (bass, clarinet), and Alex Bisch (drums, percussion, backing vocals).

It took them six years to release this one, during which time there was only a slight change in personnel with a new bassist, and this was their final release, announcing their break-up in 2019 after 25 years together. That is a real shame, as this is a very enjoyable album, full of the styles I became so involved with 30 years ago in the underground. There are times when they are somewhat reminiscent of Citizen Cain, although not as overtly Genesis in nature, and I think that is probably down to the rich vocals of Markwordt who has a wonderful presence. The breadth and style, together with gruffness, is in direct contrast to the cleanliness of the arrangements which are both busy and simplistic. Take "Complicius" for example, we not only have a large number of drum rolls but hand percussion, a fretless bass taking melody, keyboards which can be both driving and supportive and a guitar which does the same, along with a perfectly formed solo.

Their Facebook page is still active, even though there have been no updates in a year, and it looks like this really was the end for Martigan, which based on this is a real shame as this is a thoroughly enjoyable album which all those into melodic Neo would certainly enjoy.