AQUARIUS

"Aquarius" has been released in 2017 as the debut album of a Dutch one-man project GLORIOUS WOLF by a guitarist / multi- instrumentalist Ruud DIELEN. Through this stuff, we can hear and enjoy Ruud's massive creativity ... his guitar sounds are quite cool and hard-edged like a rolling stone but at the same time precious and dreamy like a merry-go-round. Heavy, deep, jazzy, stoner, and pop - various moments can be heard via his instruments (this is a reason why it be difficult for him to find an appropriate sub-genre place in Progarchives actually). This sound texture and musical diversity can remind me of the same tendency towards King Crimson or so, that might exert inspiration for Ruud. Of course he's NOT mere a "so-called progressive" or "sham-progressive" player but a promising one who would try to produce his identity by adopting lots of musical elements, I imagine.

At first try to the opening suite "Aquarius", that should drive us crazy. We cannot digest sound direction and dimension launched via his guitar out easily. There is something akin to confusion of melodic scenes featuring acceptability and predicament. The combination is a novelty. Another novel one "Broken Arrows" is my favourite that is filled with dreamy atmosphere and psychedelic structure. His innovative, hard-to-grab approach can be touched here. "Healing Colours" can be called as kinda moment when we can be relaxed by pleasant, delightful, natural phrases. And we must wonder when and where we listened to the soundscape in the following "Old Diamonds Shine Brighter" ... we can laugh and speculate where he dropped on whilst the recording. Not sure whether his vision of sound can be approved by everyone or not but let me say, this album is worth tryin'.

This is the first solo album from Netherland's own Ruud Dielen. He did this all himself playing guitar, synth guitar, bass, synths along with programming including the drums. The name of Ruud's project and the cover art reminded me that I've seen two wolves in my life here in Central Ontario, Canada. The weird thing was it was in the same week about 20 miles from each other. By the way Ruud is an incredible guitarist.

"Aquarius I" opens with a slow and sludgy sound with the guitar crying out over top. It settles back before 2 minutes but not for long. Man this reminds me of BLACK SABBATH before 3 1/2 minutes. "Aquarius II-Bearing The Water" has a lighter sound with guitar and sounds that echo before kicking into a mellow groove. It slows right down after 2 minutes but picks back up quickly.

"Aquarius III-Seeding the Future" has a heavier sound with some complexity as well. The bass, guitar and synths all sound really good here. Lots of punchy sounds along with atmosphere. Faint voices can be heard before 2 minutes as it settles back some. It kicks back in and later on after 3 1/2 minutes the guitar is lighting it up. It settles again a minute later and stays that way to the end.

"Broken Arrow" is fairly spacey with plenty of synths as guitar expressions come and go. "Questions" has these pulsating sounds as synths join in with drums then the guitar starts to solo slowly over top countered with another guitar being picked. An interesting tune but one I'm not really into. "Healing Colours" is one I like better. Kind of a jazzy vibe to my ears with the guitar. Not into those pedestrian drums though. The flavour does change during this song a few times. I like it better 1 1/2 minutes in. The guitar sounds interesting when it joins in over top. Cool track.

"Old Diamonds Shine Brighter" opens with synths that create a powerful atmosphere. This is really good. Lots of spacey sounds and what sounds like flute. The guitar arrives just before 1 1/2 minutes. The guitar sounds like FLOYD around 3 minutes not so surprisingly considering the title of this song. Very "Shine On You Crazy Diamond"-like. Flute comes and goes.

"Shaman's Journey" is mellow with relaxed guitar, bass and more. The length of this song at 4:20 sounds about right considering it's a Shaman(haha). A sampled voice can be heard after 1 1/2 minutes then the guitar comes in as the song brightens pretty much to the end.

I liked this alright but 3 stars is just right for my tastes. Please check this guy out though.

Glorious Wolf is a project by Ruud Dielen, who provides all the instrumentation on the album. Ruud is a guitarist who has been working in various covers bands, and since 2007 has also been part of Perpetual B'ta, an improvisational band who were influenced particularly by Weather Report and Frank Zappa. That he comes from a diverse background is reflected in this debut album, as although the roots are often in progressive music, he is moving through many different styles, so much so that it is hard to really categorise. There are times when he is moving through fusion-led guitar solos with minimal backing, others when it is much more Floydian in approach, while others are slowed-down doom so much that it is almost sludge.

But, at the heart of everything, are pure clean guitar lines, no matter what is going on in the background. Ruud is a fine guitarist, and has an innate understanding of melody, although the songs themselves are just vehicles for him to provide lengthy solos. I would like to see this project morph into a full band, or at least with real drums as opposed to programmed, but even as it is this is an album that is accessible and enjoyable on first hearing. I sincerely hope that this leads to more music from Glorious Wolf.

Clocking at just under 40 minutes, ''Aquarius'' is the first full album of one-man band Glorious Wolf aka Ruud Dielen. The multi-instrumentalist takes a very measured approach in combining several influences; see for example the title-track trilogy where a Sabbathy opener gives its place to an outright ''jazz/lounge'' composition with a quirky bass line and then a bluesy prog-fusion third part in a much developed Hendrix fashion. Going further, tracks such as ''Shaman's Journey'' reminded me of the style of California Guitar Trio.

Ruud appears as an accomplished player with structured ideas. Perhaps the most interesting differentiating factor to similar instrumental works is his blues leanings, which tend to ''sweeten'' the sound and at the same time add a sense of nostalgia. Twin guitar overdubs provide the required depth to the sound, which could only perhaps criticised for the lack of "umph" on the drum sections. Aquarius sounds like a collection of mature compositions instead of a cohesive album but the opposite is an exception instead of the rule in instrumental efforts.

Classic prog rock is largely absent despite a Crimson-esque aura lurking in the background of several tracks - instead a Floydian and bluesy atmosphere is dominant, aided by jazz leanings and virtuoso playing. The addition of lyrics and development of these ideas in a more cohesive package would take, I feel, Aquarius a step further for Glorious Wolf. Vocals, where they appear (Messenger) don't impress but support the sound well. As it stands, it is a good selection of individual tracks and a real show of mastery of style and skill for Ruud.

Highlights: Aquarius (especially pt.2 and 3), Questions, Old Diamons Shine Brighter

The Dutch guitarist Ruud Dielen has a long history with cover bands , playing songs from Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Toto and Genesis. After many years touring in the more commercial circuit, he decided that it was time to write his own music. Last year Ruud Dielen produced as a one-man-band his first album entitled Aquarius (8 tracks, running time around 35 minutes).

Because I am impressed by the sound of his instruments/equipment, I asked Ruud about that. He anwered very soon, please take a breathe:

'I love vintage instruments, I own a Fender Strat from 1965 (original), a Fender Precision bass, a Gibson Les Paul '59 reissue (the 'holy grail'), a Gibson ES335 (from the 'custom shop') and a Gibson ES175 from 1990. My amplifier is a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier Road King 2 tube on a Marshall 4 x 12" stack. I also own an Ibanez IMG2010 guitar synthesizer that I connect with sound modules ( E-mu Vintage Keys) to create the sounds of the Hammond, Moog and Mellotron. For the drums I have used the Superior Drummer programming. In the final track I play on a Landola acoustic guitar.'

Well, this awesome list of instruments/equipment emphasizes Ruud his very professional attitude to make progressive music on his first solo effort.

1 Aquarius I (4:28) : A dark and compelling climate with a slow and tight drum beat and intense howling guitar runs (with inventive overdubs), blended with Mellotron drops and and soaring synthesizer, especially the final part stronly reminds me of early Black Sabbath, wow, what a starter!

2 Aquarius II - Bearing The Water (4:31) : A slow rhythm, a mellow atmosphere and dreamy guitarwork, a wonderful contrast with the heavy previous track.

3 Aquarius III - Seeding The Future (5:38) : First a slow rhythm and soaring keyboards with fiery electric guitarplay, then a compelling climate featuring exciting interplay between biting electric guitar and awesome Mellotron violins. The final part is mellow.

4 Broken Arrow (2:08) : A short, electronically oriented landscape.

5 Questions (6:03) : Tron-maniacs alert, what a wonderful start featuring mindblowing Mellotron violins, then a slow rhythm with Mellotron and howling electric guitar (with elements from Fripp and Zappa to Hendrix).

6 Healing Colours (4:05) : A mid-tempo composition in which Ruud his guitar alternates between mellow and fiery, using several effect pedals to add special flavours.

7 Old Diamonds Shine Brighter (4:17) : Haha, 'say no more' ' the funny reference to Pink Floyd is more than obvious, this is a tribute to Shine On Your Crazy Diamond with the legendary soaring keyboards, slow synthesizer flights and bluesy electric guitar with echo. A nice idea and strong rendition.

8 Shaman's Journey (4:19) : A dreamy climate with the distinctive sitar sound, some voices and warm acoustic guitar play (with again inventive overdubs). The cheerful sound of the guitars succeed to generate words in my head like 'happiness, hope and love' ' thank you shaman!

To me this debut CD by Glorious Wolf sounds good, sometimes very good, but I think Ruud Dielen can do even better. When he invites a drummer and bass player, goes jamming as an inspired trio and then .. he will rise to the occasion, I am sure about that! Due to his excellent, highly acclaimed guitarplay and inventive use of the guitar synthesizer and Emu Vintage keys. And his huge experience and very interesting musical ideas! I am looking forward to his next work and will keep an eye on this promising fellow Dutchman. My rating: a solid 3,5 star.