SONGS OF SOLITUDE AND SORROW

In my listening history the only "heavy" band I have a longer and closer relationship with is URIAH HEEP. So, it feels a bit funny that it's me who writes the first review for this Norwegian Heavy Prog band. More than a year ago the members of the Neo Prog team (including myself) were sent the CD+DVD release of BLIND ORPHANS, a band originating from the late 80's, stylistically between Neo and Heavy. Probably just as a kind PR gesture we were given also the debut of a new band that features the same drummer as the mentioned group, even though it had almost nothing to do with Neo Prog. Must confess that right now I'm listening to it only for the third time ever, as my eye caught the CD on my shelf and I happened to check out if the band has been added here. Least I should do is try and say something worthy about this music for which I have very minimal subjective ties. For starters, the cover design is pretty good!

The term Heavy Prog is 100% appropriate. This is heavy rock -- not Speed/Doom/Tech/Post/etc. Metal -- and the compositions are progressively extended. Doubtlessly a connoisseur of the heavy genre could right away drop several household names to describe the style. In the band bio the vocals of Johannes Hulleberg are compared to Ian Gillan. The sound of the standard line-up of guitarist, keyboardist, bassist and drummer is meaty and well balanced. In fact, I can use the word pleasant too. If I ever will take the world of Heavy/Metal Rock truly into my heart (in the age of 46 that's not very plausible anymore...), this would definitely be among the albums "to open up the flood gates", if you know what I mean. The usual negative feelings of listening to music not within the comfort zone or taste (ie. the personal listening history) are absent.

Of course I'd need to listen to this albums many times in order to learn the individual tracks and give a deeper analysis, but already now there are some highlights to catch my attention. 'True or False' (13:36) progresses impressively from the more regular heavy, with powerful chords of electric guitar and Hammond, into a A Script of the Jester's Tear era Marillion-like theatricality and passion finished with emotional vocals and instrumental solos. But sadly in the end, the composition doesn't come anywhere near the hair-raising drama of songs such as 'Script...', 'The Web' or 'Forgotten Sons'.

Another fine track is 'Troubled Straits' that has slightly Marillionish keyboard sounds in the background. For the whole 78-minute album I can't completely avoid of sense of tiredness, but I guess getting to know the album better would help in that matter. 3½ stars rounded up: if it's not quite an excellent addition to any Heavy Prog collection, it surely is a strong and well-working one.