MEKHLIN

Manuscript is the debut EP from a new band from Denmark named Mekhlin. I have been needing to write this review for quite some time now, but I haven't been quite sure how to describe what I am hearing here. On one hand, they remind me a bit of something or someone that I have heard before; but on the other hand I can't quite place who this might be. Musically, Mekhlin is a progressive rock band with a blues rock/bar band attitude. Maybe I am confused because they are a prog band that isn't singing about dragons and wizards. As is fairly easily noticeable from the song titles their songs are about love, lust, and loneliness, which are all topics more likely to be covered by more mainstream rock bands than prog rock bands.

Lead vocalist Bitten Toft Pederson sings with a sexy, sultry voice that is filled with emotion and at times angst. When I initially heard her, my first impression was that she reminded me of Pat Benatar. Upon further listens there is still a little bit of that there, but I am thinking now that she reminds me more of Alannah Myles at times.

It's All Gone Away found its way under my skin. Dynamic drumming, bass playing, and guitar playing throughout this song. It also sounds a bit like a violin at parts within the song, but this might be the keyboard or effects, or maybe the bass; I'm not quite sure here, but I like it. Near the end of the songs she whispers some lines that I can't quite understand, but it is kind of metallish, and dare I say almost like a death metal growl.

Still, My Sweet Baby is the shortest track on this EP. It opens with an awesome bass line that leads into Bitten's seductive voice talking/whispering. She is a woman scorned by a man who seems to not remember her, and well, I kind of feel sorry for that guy for lying to her. I'm thinking that he didn't make out to well with that mistake.

Lust starts off with a very nice bluesy guitar riff which leads into Bitten telling you a story about a guy she once knew. It rocks out after that with some excellent drumming and bass playing throughout, not to mention a later killer guitar riff at about the 2 and 1/2 minute mark.

In This Alone is the longest track on this EP and it rocks. Again, starting out with a nice guitar riff leading into Bitten's beautiful voice and then turning on to dynamic drumming, an awesome bass line and sweet guitar riffs. And Bitten crys, fearing this is forever and I hope that this is just the beginning of forever. And she wants to feel high and listening to this EP gives me that feeling.

This EP is filled with some excellent songs and music. I am going to grade this within the ProgArchives guidelines as a 3-star album which is good, but not essential. This is no way a knock on the music, which I find to be excellent. I think prog fans that are fans of blues rock and more straightforward hard rock will really enjoy the music of Mekhlin. This may not appeal as much though to fans of symphonic prog or fans of more avant styles of prog.

What is also great about this EP is that you can judge it for yourself. Guitarist Rasmus Jes Petersen was kind enough to provide links to free downloads for all 4 songs in the forums. Just do a search for Mekhlin within the forums, and you can download, listen, and judge for yourselves.

I look forward to hearing what Mekhlin has in store for us in the future.

This debut disc from Danish proggers Mekhlin is a brilliant blend of influences and makes for a very refreshing listen, even if it is very short. The band is a great mix of things include some wonderful blues inspired riffs, especially in the concise Still, My Sweet Baby and the slightly longer Lust. The album also features a great new female lead in the progressive scene in the form of singer Bitten Toft Pederson whose voice is both soothing and unnerving, serene and accusing. While the EP doesn't feature any drawn out pomp epics it certainly shows the capability to expand into such territory if the band had the desire to do so. Impressive solos from Rasmus Jes Petersen throughout, and especially nearing the end of Lust , show a great talent ready to emerge. The drumming section is great throughout, and combined with an R&B (the good kind, not the modern kind) type bass playing the rhythm section is able to stay well afloat.

By no surprise the most accomplished song on the album is also the longest. In This Alone is quite an amazing track! Shouting vocal parts from Pederson make for spine chilling moments and the almost System of a Down-like subtle guitar plucking gives way to the faster and more impressive sections of the song without much worry. The melodies in this song are fantastic, and while the band still stays to the ''hard-progressive-blues'' side of things the song sometimes becomes as lush as something Yes could have done in their glory days.

The only unfortunate part about the EP is just that, it's only an EP. Still, this is a great sign of things to come, and don't be surprised if soon from now you'll hearing more about this band - it's certainly one to keep your eye on. This EP is excellent if you have 20-minutes to spare and need something to fill that gap, it's powerful and nabs your attention, certainly a good sign of things to come. 3 grasping hands out of 5 for a very good kick off. Very much looking forward to a full studio release.