FREQUENCY DRIFT

Certainly distinct, emotional and unique female vocals that cooperates perfectly. That's harmony how I like it, that's the right way I like it. Deceit is prime example of how good Prog song should be done. Great guitar solos, multi-instrumental performance, graduating, complexity and also melody. The fact that this is enjoyable, accessible and makes good model for appreciating proves that "Personal Effects p. 2" starts as good as possible.

Bunch of ambient / electronic sounds to accompany this sci-fi like story (or how I like concept albums), even they get tiresome at times (second half of Inside) However, it all changes with Awake where there is not so pleasant, in fact quite annoying rhythm and singing. Put It Down shows neat drum solo and we're slowly closing towards the end of album, end of story that I still doesn't understand so well.

4(+), atmosphere, that's what's going on here dear readers.

Mastermind Andreas Hack has refined concept und instrumentation. Once again the focus is on expressive female vocals which are very present. This time even three different, each representing one character depending on the story. Sound effects and spoken word samples are interspersed all over. Altogether 12 musicians are involved, especially to name White Willow guitarist Jacob Holm-Lupo here. The album starts ambient, they provide a nice sci-fi atmosphere - cosmic synth patterns are backing samples with voices and seagull cries. String arrangements are preparing for the album's first symphonic highlight Deceit which shows alternating impressions - chamber music, ambient and finally rocking parts dominated by a playful piano plus heavy riffing guitars.

The following groovy Conflict continues more accessible with a catchy melody and psychedelic guitars which are also crossing the next song Inside - even somewhat gilmouresque - developing to something really charming later by the way. Vocals and electric piano surely have a large share. The band follows these paths with more intriguing compositions and melodies furthermore which is really convincing - worked out with passion for detail, sometimes groovy rocking, sometimes relaxed and emotive. As for the latter I just want to notice the closing Lasting Effect which is so smooth - just listen to this before you go to bed and a peaceful night (missing out any nightmares) is guaranteed.

Well done! This goes for all who are involved here. Although not really hailing from the experimental fields of prog FREQUENCY DRIFT's songs appear matured, all in all the album sounds more rounded compared to Part 1. Stylistically based on symphonic and ambient respectively psychedelic impressions. This may even appeal to some mainstream oriented rock music fans too. Îf you're keen on atmospheric songs and excellent female vocals you can't go wrong with this.

For starters, this is a science fiction-themed concept album; so fans of those can hit the net and order right away. For those more concerned with musical contents; we're served a mostly mellow and melancholic creation on this production; where carefully crafted keyboard textures in the form of piano and what sounds very much like a harpsichord are central elements. Acoustic guitar licks and melodic bass lines flesh out the songs; and drawn out subdued guitar riffs are utilized alongside floating and often majestic synth layers to add punch and dramatics to the tunes; as well as atmospheric guitar soloing from the Neo progressive school and keyboard soloing.

The main asset on this release are the vocals though, Katja Hübner has a powerful, rich voice and a fine emotional delivery; and mixed with well crafted instrumental performance and skilled mix and production this result in strong moods; enhanced by some clever complex instrumental explorations and a few unexpected twists in the songwriting department.

A release that should be very much of interest to fans of Neo Progressive rock as well as those who like their progressive rock a bit on the soft and atmospheric side in general.

FREQUENCY DRIFT's debut album is inspired by movies like 'Blade Runner', 'Lost' and 'Ghost in the Shell' telling the story about River and Romance, two girls living in 2046 where conditions have developed from bad to worse. They are struggling against an imaginary association named 'Diomedeidae' and the song titles are containing time stamps from a one night period giving the time scale for the first part of the story. Lyrics are in English and the band didn't include them into the booklet deliberately to enforce a special concentration on the visual component. They worked together with a graphic designer for that and the CD booklet is full of black-and-white pictures representing a dark atmospheric mood depending on the story. The band members are restraining themselves - no band photo is given and nothing more is to experience about them which provides a mysterious attitude a little bit.

Relying on Katja Hübner's impressive voice (sometimes near to MAGENTA's Christina by the way) the nine songs with a total length of more than 60 minutes are turned out dreamy melancholic in the whole - cinematic as the band undertakes. The instrumental parts are blending some tricky effects with symphonic and heavier rocking elements pushed by a varied keyboard/guitar work and a solid rhythm section. It's more rare that the band is rocking the boat but guitar player Sebastian Koch has enough chances to show his solo talents whereby he sometimes gets near to a significant Gilmour style.

Some interesting samples and synth effects are integrated which confirms the term 'cinematic'. The second song Ghost Memory for example is underlaid with an alienated futuristic choir piece which gives the song a special seductive charme - excellent idea with a distinctive design. Fall is dominated by a memorable refrain and Romance convinces as an eclectic art rock highlight - an example of innovative songwriting. The title track Personal Effects is a nice piano solo excursion taken over by the comparatively heavy Anger initiated by a forceful drum intro.

FREQUENCY DRIFT has worked out a quite unique profile with this debut which is expandable anyhow - comparable with bands like Sylvan, Poor Genetic Material and Magenta for a clue in a wider sense. And the appendix 'part one' implies: a follower is already announced - hopefully provided with a more optimistic story - 3.5 stars really ...