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THE DIVINE BAZE ORCHESTRA

Heavy Prog • Sweden


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The Divine Baze Orchestra picture
The Divine Baze Orchestra biography
THE DIVINE BAZE ORCHESTRA was founded by Oliver Eek (lead guitar, backing vocals) and Christian Eklöf (drums, percussion) in 2003 immediately followed by Alexander Frisborg (lead vocals, mellotron, rhythm guitar) and Tobias Petterson (bass).

In the beginning the band's sound was similar to many of the heavy, fuzzy bands of the late 60's and early 70's, but as time passed, they were more and more drawn towards the experimental, psychedelic and jazz-oriented bands of the same era.

After a few years of intense giging in the space of Sweden Daniel Karlsson (organ, mellotron) joined THE DIVINE BAZE ORCHESTRA and the band entered a new sound dimension. The completed line-up now could also explore symphonic sound landscapes with the power of the organ behind them and it took some time to rearrange the old material to be suited to the new instruments.

The member's jazz, blues and classical background is to recover within retro references to raw heavy rock bands like URIAH HEEP and BLACK SABBATH but also to classic prog acts like YES or KING CRIMSON. Based on this traditional flirts the band conjures a fresh, vital and also experimental style with improvisation elements.

The debut album 'Once we were born ...' was recorded in 2007 nearly under live circumstances because the instrumental parts were recorded at once together. Only vocals, mellotron and some solos were overdubbed. Officially released at the beginning of 2008 the music is dominated by heavy organ sounds, compelling guitar work and special unique vocals.

Bass player Tobias Petterson decided to leave the band after the album release and was soon replaced by Joel Berntson of the folk rock group GRYNINGSTID.

THE DIVINE BAZE ORCHESTRA is a promising band of the heavy progressive genre and definetely worth paying attention.
See also the band's blogspot for current news.

Rivertree (Uwe Zickel)

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THE DIVINE BAZE ORCHESTRA top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.96 | 46 ratings
Once We Were Born ...
2007
3.82 | 45 ratings
Dead But Dreaming
2010

THE DIVINE BAZE ORCHESTRA Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

THE DIVINE BAZE ORCHESTRA Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

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THE DIVINE BAZE ORCHESTRA Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

THE DIVINE BAZE ORCHESTRA Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Dead But Dreaming by DIVINE BAZE ORCHESTRA, THE album cover Studio Album, 2010
3.82 | 45 ratings

BUY
Dead But Dreaming
The Divine Baze Orchestra Heavy Prog

Review by Windhawk
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars Swedish outfit THE DIVINE BAZE ORCHESTRA was formed back in 2003, and came forth with their initial effort four years later, courtesy of Swedish label Transubstans Records. A production that was generally well received. "Dead But Dreaming" is their sophomore effort, and was issued in early winter 2010.

In terms of style we're treated to a band that doesn't feel like staying put within any narrowly defined expression on this occasion. Apart from a firm foundation in what can loosely be described as 70's sounding art rock this is a band fairly liberal when it comes to utilizing different stylistic approaches and features. Something I do tend to appreciate in a band. Potential buyers may note that something of an eclectic musical taste is in order to be able to enjoy this disc.

But as tantalizing and widespread as the compositional details are on this CD, I found myself to be curiously disengaged about this production as a whole. My digital promo copy was massively attacked by artefacts, a result of a digital promotion tool of poor quality I presume, but even that couldn't hide the fact that this is a well produced affair, well performed and I'd guess rather well planned too. It is a production that has a lot going for it, but somehow doesn't quite manage to hit it for me.

Many tracks does feature parts, sequences and themes that does both engage and enthral. The opening minutes of Flow/Unity is as good an example as any, where the first two minutes or thereabout is taken up by a very nice and enthralling theme with something of a heavy fusion sound to it. Well crafted, well performed and genuinely intriguing. The following four minutes are then taken up by a lighter toned theme residing somewhere between light symphonic art rock and gentle fusion in style. Nice and pleasant music by all means, but not of the kind that is able to mesmerise me and make me want to hit repeat right away.

The various tracks for me tends to end up in the nice and pleasant category overall, but apart from the somewhat lacklustre Origins, a song way too fragmented for my personal taste, it would be wrong to describe this as a weak album. It is one that to a greater extent than many will make it or break it on grounds of personal taste alone though, at least according to my mind.

As tastes does indeed differ pulling forth any given song as a good starting point is a task that will probably result in as many different answers as there are songs to choose from. Personally I'd go for What Mustn't Be Spoken, where the opening 4 minutes consists of this album's finest moments as far as my tastes go, with dampened verses featuring gentle guitar riffs and a brooding undercurrent courtesy of the organ, followed by a majestic multilayered theme featuring keyboard, Mellotron and guitars.

If you fancy a slice of 70's oriented art rock covering multiple stylistic subsets "Dead But Dreaming" may be an album to your taste. With H. P. Lovecraft's horror universe as something of a read thread lyrically, fans of his endeavours will perhaps have an advantage in terms of being ensnared by this production. All in all a well made effort, and while I wasn't totally convinced I'd suspect that many whose tastes are centred around eclectic 70's art rock should find this one rather pleasing.

 Dead But Dreaming by DIVINE BAZE ORCHESTRA, THE album cover Studio Album, 2010
3.82 | 45 ratings

BUY
Dead But Dreaming
The Divine Baze Orchestra Heavy Prog

Review by Jennifer72

5 stars Wow! The Divine Baze Orchestra (how is that for a name...?) really impressed me with this one. I wasn't too keen on their last album for several reasons; the sound was lo-fi, the previous singer lacked feeling and a sharp, thin voice that sounded as it would break any second and the songs were a bit dull in some parts. This time they have a new line-up and most important: a new singer, Oliver Eek (yet another amusing name, but who cares when he sings so damn well!). The songs are a diverse bunch, but the sound of the band is solid and steady. The opening track sounds dreamy and evil and ends up with a beautiful, soft passage with fantastic guitar work. This really sets the mood for the rest of the album with its King Crimson-like heaviness. The next track, "They Rise", opens with fat retro synthesizers and a great groove. The vocals of Oliver Eek are powerful and expressive, though he sounds great in the softer parts as well. Other tracks that stand out are "What mustn't be spoken", a nasty, heavy piece with amazing, almost scary atmosphere and "Lastly, lament" an epic mini opera; dynamic and interesting. We also get to hear the vocal talents of organ player Joel Lof on the track "The Cellar, which is kind of a fusion song but with a mad, twisted ending. Joel Lof is perhaps not as powerful and expressive as his frontman, Oliver Eek, but he does a good job with his smooth, slightly Chet Baker- like voice. Apart from that we have a lot of great guitar and organ work on the album, although I personally would have liked more instrumental passages and solos. These guys seem to know how to improv pretty damn well, so why not focus more on that? To sum this up; a great album from this young, promising band, beautiful and heavy, dark and light. For fans of King Crimson, cantebury and other heavier prog!
 Dead But Dreaming by DIVINE BAZE ORCHESTRA, THE album cover Studio Album, 2010
3.82 | 45 ratings

BUY
Dead But Dreaming
The Divine Baze Orchestra Heavy Prog

Review by Tobbe J

4 stars After some member changes it's time for The Divine Baze Orchestra to hit it big!! One of the new members (Joel Lööf) not only plays organ, piano and sings, he has also produced the album to make it sound both vintage and modern. Good job there!! This is an album of contrasts. There are those booming, rocking, heavy moments and there are beautifully subtle moments with hardly any instrumentation. Then there is a somewhat canterburyish feel to a track like Flow/Unit which I like a lot! The vocals are definitely above par here! Not too dramatic and not too lame or unengaging but spot on really!! So it's safe to say: GO BUY FOLKS!!
 Once We Were Born ... by DIVINE BAZE ORCHESTRA, THE album cover Studio Album, 2007
3.96 | 46 ratings

BUY
Once We Were Born ...
The Divine Baze Orchestra Heavy Prog

Review by Mr Noremalm

5 stars First of all: if you listen to this album and wonder: what does this guys look like? just look at this #%?!! picture from http://www.myspace.com/thedivinebazeorchestra. And if you can move on with this without dying you should probably listen to them instead. I know what im talking about i have experienced this uggly band live at Korpehola in uddevalla 2008. A fan in the audience got so exited he threw a bottle that just crashed the foot of the guitarist Oliver. This criminal bad-ass was later looked up in jail for 8 hours. It was blood everywhere n the stage. Anyway My very favourits of this album is track 1. "Dance" and 8. "The man from my mothers brothes" i cant tell you why because of my very very bad english would not give these songs the right lustre it deserves. but if you listen to them you probably would understand. This a incredible awsome prog album. I was very happy to see this band here on PA. What can i say: I´m proud of you brothers especially you Joel B my real brother. Keep on fighting and i look forward to hear your new album.
 Once We Were Born ... by DIVINE BAZE ORCHESTRA, THE album cover Studio Album, 2007
3.96 | 46 ratings

BUY
Once We Were Born ...
The Divine Baze Orchestra Heavy Prog

Review by Rivertree
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Band Submissions

4 stars Once a band was born ...

This is the debut of a new swedish band which has its home in the heavy prog genre. 'Once we were born ...' is released by the Transubstans Records label which is known for offering a lot of interesting nordic bands. Ten songs with an overall good sound, sophisticated but also with space for improvisation. The band recorded the songs within two days, nearly on the fly, only with overdubs for some vocals and mellotron. You can examine a lot of changes and surprises. First of all because of the excellent rhythm section the album is full of power and dynamic.

I'm quite sure this band delivers a very exciting performance on stage. So I hope I'll be able to see them live sometime in the future. Daniel Karlsson's excellent organ contributions are attracting attention and of course Alexander Frisborg's special vocals which are sounding somewhat strange for the first rounds but are suitable if you take more time to explore this album. Finally Oliver Eek is important adding his various guitar work and rounding up the sound of THE DIVINE BAZE ORCHESTRA.

With the hammond dominated Dance and Choose Your Green we have a very rocking and promising start whereas the latter is spiked with screaming, nearly overburdening vocals and some BLACK SABBATH riffs at the end. The following Trota Di Mare is basically a boogie in the vein of UFO's best days. For the classic blues Orange and Turquoise Oliver Eek occupies the lead vocals, even with some roaring moments, and demonstrates that he's even more than an excellent guitarist. We also have nice percussion attendance in the background here and the organ ... wow, fantastic. One of the album highlights.

The shorter tracks In Search and Little Man are having a heavy psych vibe and then with the last four songs the band is focussing on the jamming qualities a little more. The person with decent mellotron use and Closing The Circle are containing a jazzy rocking touch. The excellent The Man From My Mother's Brother is provided with a groove sounding like american jam bands but alternating with carousel organ parts. Burned By The Sun, the longest track, evolves to a fine dynamic rock song with a psychedelic break and high toned backing vocals like URIAH HEEP in the end.

'Once we were born ...' promises a good mix of retro and modern elements - a matured, diversified debut album of a band from the depths of the swedish forests.

Thanks to Rivertree for the artist addition.

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