MELOLYDIAN GARDEN

LANVALL is actually the nickname of Austrian guitarist Arbne Stockhammer, now a member of ''Edenbridge''.Released in 1994 by Music Is Intelligence Label, ''Meloydian garden'' was his first of three solo albums.If you're moved by soft and dreamy symphonic rock,this album is a must-have.I would say that LANVALL combines the best of STEVE HACKETT and MIKE OLDFIELD in a fantastic ambient-like soundscape filled with strong melodies.There is also a slight FOCUS influence in the classical-influenced parts of the album,while some mellow solos might bring CAMEL to mind.The album contains also some great piano passages and grandiose yet distinctive background synthesizers,played by LANVALL as well,and a couple of amazing orchestral compositions based on piano and synths.An underrated mid-90's release by a talented musician,''Meloydian garden'' deserves your attention,especially if you're deep into melodic/atmospheric/soft symphonic prog.

Wonderful debut album from one of the most sensitive and special European guitar players-LANVALL from the beautiful Austria!He is also the instigator of the gothic band and permanent member even today-EDENBRIDGE,which is one of the surest European values of the genre!This album is so wonderful and full of magical moments that it's really difficult to name any particular song-the album must be appreciated because of the great quality of all it's compositions!The musical style is symphonic prog,very smooth and relaxing,very atmospheric and melancholic LANVALL'S guitar tone is astonishing-sometimes it reminds of MIKE OLDFIELD or STEVE HACKETT ,and the clarity of the sound is breathtaking!This kind of music proves that feelings can be perfectly well expressed by the help of this magical instrument called guitar in very expressive and sensitive ways!Even compared to EDENBRIGGE,the music on MELOLYDIAN GARDEN is very calm ,quiet and touching!Only a couple of midtempo songs remind us that LANVALL is anyway a metal musician,and some arpeggios have the role to step up a little the rhythm of the album,but 90 % of the tracks are really introspective and slow.Excellent musicianship,excellent music for quiet and calm evenings with a glass of wine next to you together with a beautiful woman!I have to mention that the album has been re-released by MASSACRE RECORDS in Europe after 2000 with a better sound -remastered at a superior quality-but-unfortunately-without any bonus track!Simply beautiful!4 STARS for a special album!