THE GARDEN OF DELIGHTS

Rikk Eccent is a new name in the music world. I have been completely unaware of it. In fact, it is pretty complicated to find it anywhere in the web. Rikk Eccent is a project of musician, songwriter and producer Kimmo Salmela. His first album is called The Garden Of Delights (2013) and it was released in March 2013 by the, also Finnish, label Running Moose.

Kimmo Salmela, the man behind the band, deals with everything on the album: guitars, keyboard and programming. He also wrote, arranged, produced and engineered everything. Those who know a bit about music from Finland will recognize him, since his skills helped to define the sound of bands as diverse as Poverty Stinks, Päät and JSS. In fact, the work with the variety of bands makes the sound in The Garden Of Delights (2013) quite unique in style and in genre. The album has a style, but at least for me, there's nothing really to compare it with. The mixing of guitar driven music, Synth Pop, Prog Rock and loads of keyboards and programming make it sound pretty 'weird' in comparison to any other band right now.

I must say that the work in The Garden Of Delights (2013) didn't appeal to me at all during the first listening. I really find it hard to appreciate music with too much programming, especially in the rhythm sections. But, I was kinda caught when the first track, 'The Garden Of Delights (Intro)', began. I'll do something which I usually don't do in my reviews and quote the lyrics here:

"Maximise your market value today nevermind the product and you'll be ok", they say Beautiful packages we're delivered each day But where's the soul, brother?"

If you follow my reviews, you know that these words match with my thoughts concerning the modern music, including prog rock because that's all you get nowadays. Hype and pretty packages with no soul. I know that Kimmo wasn't really talking about music. But it fits like a glove.

Following it we have 'The Road To Oblivion', that reminded me a bit of Riverside in the beginning. Possibly my favorite track on the album. Then he goes forward with 'Freefallin'' and I must say that this most straight Rock he does on this first two tracks is very interesting.

His music can be considered experimental, like in 'Lone Kid Wolf', but it is far away from being non sense experimental music with no goals. Soon after that, in 'Money Pie' you get some kind of acoustic guitar blues that soon changes to some space driven music. Lyrics are quite interesting too, I must say.

'It Will All Make Senses In The End' reminded me of the 80's bands. Some of the so called Synth Pop were brave enough to change their sound towards the end of that decade and create some interesting works. This song makes me think about that. Lots of 'musical noises' for the ones that like to be musical detectives here. 'Hard Work' follows the same path, full of programing drums and guitar riffs. If not for the great guitars in it, the track would be a bit faded.

'Nexus' finishes The Garden Of Delights (2013) as the longest track on the album, with a bit more than eight and a half minutes. It is also the most atmospheric of all the tracks. Hypnotic drumming, programming and some great special guitars. There's a solo, around the middle of the track, quite daring, I cannot say if it's a guitar synth or the synth itself! I liked the bits with people noises, like steps and conversations far away.

In general, The Garden Of Delights (2013) is a complete puzzle for ears. It's quite hard to put Rikk Eccent in any category. Is it Prog? Isn't it? I would say yes! But what really matters, is that the final product here is quite good. Kimmo Salmela managed to put all these different musical styles and influences within the same album, added some great guitars, some very good lyrics and there you have it!

The Garden Of Delights (2013) deserves a good listening.

(Originally posted on progshine.net)

RIKK ECCENT is a Finnish one-man project: Kimmo Salmela sings & plays everything, and he has written and produced this album himself. But you couldn't guess from the meaty, dynamic music that there's no whole band behind it. Therefore a certain respect is earned right away, even if the music is not exactly up to my own taste.

Prog Shine has written a very good first review here, and I would have it very hard to bring anything new. I won't go into track-by-track details. (Anyway, my reception is less enthusiastic. Or will it get warmer little by little as his did? Well, I have a big trust on first impressions so I doubt it.) First off, I'm not fond of Salmela's voice. it's a bit blurred and stuffy, a worse version of Elvis Costello. And in the music the central electric guitar often has Metallic edginess. These are the things I do't like. Otherwise I can admit this is very effective and strong rock that has a credible balance between commercial pop/ hard rock approach and more demanding prog elements. A bit of Prog Metal and and a bit of Neo Prog. With a better singer, less emphasis on guitars and a bit brighter overall atmosphere this would be great for me too. The long closing track 'Nexus' is the calmest - and clearly the best.

Fine fold-out digipak design; inside there's a praying mantis and a hybrid of planet Earth and a fly's eye, on the back cover fireworks against black sky.