DRUCKFARBEN

One of those excellent bands that fall through the mazes.

This band blends the musical power of Yes, Saga, Spock's Beard, It Bites and UK and creates an energetic and almost unique result.

There's very much going on. Tempochanges, synth and guitarsolo's abound. A lot of the instrumental passages and battles between keys and guitar remind of the old days of UK, Saga and Yes. The guitarsolo's have this fusion-kinda feel (like It Bites, Holdsworth, etc.), the vocals are a ballsy version of Jon Anderson.

The drums are very good and remind a bit of Spock's Beard, the bass is heavy and remind of that british bass-sound (Chris Squire, Greg lake, etc.)

Te result is energetic, unique, powerful, melodic, difficult but catchy, progressive poprock, that only young people can make. Move over, oldies, here are Druckfarben. Let's just hope they release more albums.

"Second Sound" is the second album by Canadian progressive rock group Druckfarben and features American-born Phil Naro on vocals. It's because of Naro, whom I first heard on Corvus Stone albums and later with progressive metal band Unified Past, that I decided to try out this album.

It's indeed a wonderful collection of rock with heavier moments all with so many of the hallmarks of the progressive rock genre. In many ways, it's easy to imagine a harder rocking modern version of Yes with Naro's vocals often coming across as a more metal counterpart to Jon Anderson. Naro's career has seen him spend time with the harder and heavier side of rock, and I recently discovered that once sang in the Canadian hard rock act Coney Hatch after replacing no one other than a young Kevin (James) LaBrie in the mid-eighties. Please note the band made no recordings with either vocalist.

I'd like to say here that I've recently purchased a number of prog albums released in the last few years and I also read an interview with The Enid's Robert John Godfrey where he claimed modern prog bands just mimic classic prog of the past without any concept of what it really means to be prog. Put those two together and I find myself wondering why some of my new albums should be great. But listening to "Second Sound" I find the answer: because the music is fun, exciting, and well-composed and performed. The choice of guitar sounds and styles, the keyboards, the piano, the tricky rhythms, the vocals both lead (there is a second lead vocalist at times which I'll assume is Ed Bernard) and backing, the additional violin, and just the lively and clever music overall make this an album fun to listen to. It might puzzle my wife but I think she knows that I have stuff like this in my collection (she still doesn't know about the weirder stuff!).

Which brings me to an observation about this album's music: this is not a rock album with some prog songs and some more mainstream; this is a prog album from start to finish. What's that supposed to mean? I have a lot of albums that are closer to crossover prog or even mainstream rock that include progressive parts as colour like one might add a violin or flute to an otherwise guitar and keyboard album. Druckfarben have stuck very well to the rules of prog creating modern music with modern sounds and not blatantly paying tribute to anyone in particular (though there is a nod to Rush in "Surrounds Me" and some parts that are easy to compare to Yes) all the while paying attention to non-standard rhythms and complex and difficult playing while still adding beautiful melodies in some tracks. It doesn't come off like a prog exercise. The songs are impressive and easy to get into for someone with appreciation for music that goes beyond mainstream.

The album just clears 56 minutes which makes it a reasonable listen without toilet breaks. Most of the songs are between four and six minutes but still offer exciting music with surprises. It's sometimes seems like the songs should be longer. The title track is the long runner at 18:49 and basically continues with what the album has already brought to the (turn)table though more pleasant surprises crop up, such as the violin and fiddling near the beginning, or the banjo around 10:30.

While the song "Second Sound" has some great music, Druckfarben did not spend all their energy on the epic number. You'll find great songs across the whole disc!

Druckfarben were born in mid-00's, as drummer Troy Feener participated in Classic Albums Live, a collective playing live classic albums of Rock Music.All future members of the band were invited to join, only bassist Peter Murray was left out, as he was working as a producer at the time, but he still attented a show at the Phoenix Concert Theater in Toronto in 2007.All members of the future band were sharing a common taste for Prog Rock and thus Druckfarben became reality in 2008 with Troy Feener on drums, Peter Murray on bass, Phil Naro on lead vocals, Ed Bernard on guitar, violin and mandolin and William Hare on keyboards.The band was named after the tape on some black barrels Feener and Bernard discovered back in mid-80's, while students.Starting as a cover band of prog classics but soon switching to writing original music, Druckfarben made their debut in 2011 with an indendent self-titled release.

Inspired by the likes of YES and KANSAS, Druckfarben produced an album along the lines of Classic Prog Rock, albeit much more modern and heavier.The music relies heavily on the complex, jazzy chord progressions of Ed Bernard, the powerful Hammond organ and the quirky piano lines of William Hare and the raw vocals of Phil Naro, creating a quite original sound, which starts from Symphonic Rock and passes through Heavy Rock and Fusion at moments.They end up to be listed in the same catalogue like TRANSATLANTIC, CRYPTIC VISION, THE GIFT and SPOCK'S BEARD, their music is a mixture of odd harmonies, lyrical moments, sudden breaks, epic intros and outros and complex interplays.Guitar work is phenomenal to say the least, lots of great moves, jazzy fanfares and melodic solos, while the album is also noted for the addition of Mellotron and the updated synthesizers.The whole result is a set of dramatic and dynamic compositions with STEVE HOWE and ALLAN HOLDSWORTH meeting on stage with KEITH EMERSON, RICK WAKEMAN, KERRY LIVGREN and DAVE GREENSLADE!The choruses are quite accessible and the songs are rather short, no epics here, but the music is always intricate and adventurous and plenty of room for instrumental majesty and impressive mood changes.

Canadian-based Prog Rock, which comes as a heavier version of YES and KANSAS.Twists and turns, emphatic arrangements and epic vocals in a sweet mixture of old and new stylings.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.

Finally it's time for me to review a new symphonic record. Over all I don't think 2014 has got as many releases of prog as 2013 which was an amazing year. Druckfarben is the name of the band for today and it's a band from the land of the Canadians. "Second Sound" is their second release after a period of three years. I wouldn't call the cover appealing but an earlier review made me listen to this as well. Here do we have the band with Phil Naro on vocals, Ed Bernard on guitars and vocals, Will Hare on keyboards, Peter Murray on bass and vocals and Troy Feener on drums.

I like very symphonic music so this was a good record for me. When I began listen I found the big similarities with Yes, almost that I thought is sounded like a Yes-clone. But Druckfarben is a bit darker and the guitars is more metal- like. But especially the vocals are Yes-a-like, with dreaming very light notes. But the vocals don't feel totally natural but a little strained. The group uses big knowledge of music and instruments and have made a complex structure of songs here which results are enjoyable. The title track is rich and very long lasting so the music has really potential. I also like the sound of violins that floruish here and there over the minutes. This is definitely a record that can grow and that other people will like more than I did. I had little hard to understand it to be honest. The music didn't tell me so much. But a strong three will I give it.

"The new Yes album is too soft!". "Wobbler/Glass Hammer now sound like a Yes clone!". If these are comments you're sick of reading, then perhaps you should be investigating a band that takes some key Yes ingredients and crafts them to their own distinctive style! Canada's Druckfarben start off like a mix of all the Yes albums since 90125 thrown in a blender, a pinch of Spock's Beard modern symphonic approach with a much punchier, gutsier sound, a focus on strong melodic vocal driven compositions and tightly implemented instrumental passages expertly grafted to the winning melodies. Lead vocalist Phil Naro comes across like Jon Anderson if he were forceful and had a bit more hair on his chest, he has a charismatic and distinctive personality on disc, and he's ably backed up by a top-notch group of musicians. With an assortment of tunes ranging from three to seven minutes and ending with an 18 minute epic (of course!), Druckfarben have delivered a terrific hard rocking collection that will hopefully and deservedly increase their status in the modern prog community based on their superb efforts here.

`An Answer Dreaming's sprightly piano, murmuring bass and snappy drumming opens the disc, soon joined by twinkling Hammond organ and a bit of guitar crunch by way of a catchy chorus. Short pop/rocker `In Disbelief' is joyously synth driven, with plenty of tasty Moog runs and just the lightest of Mellotron touches from William Hare. Peter Murray's slab-like bass punishes all in its path on the heavy chugger `Dandelion', some searing viola from Ed Bernard and oppressive Mellotron choirs rising from the background are also a highlight. Listen out for some relentless metallic harshness along with lines of the Genesis track `Keep It Dark' too, very nice! `Liberated Dream' brings some surprisingly groovy dirty wah-wah guitar fuelled funk, with racing jazz/fusion guitar licks through a whole bunch of twisting instrumental melodies played impossibly fast. The scorching Hammond wouldn't sound out of place on a Spock's Beard album, and Peter's knockout bass in the final minute virtually erupts!

Nothing will prepare you for the exquisite vocal harmonies of `Long Walk Down'. Starting as a ballad based around grand piano and Phil's warm raspy voice, one by one the different band members introduce their own voices and they all seamlessly weave together. The piece takes on a lush dreaminess with climbing Mellotron and violin dancing together in a stirring symphonic finale. Those blissful group vocals truly take flight and glide throughout smooth rocker `Surrounds Me' as well, which could have easily appeared on the Yes album `Union', with a catchy memorable chorus, bristling Mellotron, snarling electric guitar runs and Troy Feener's urgent drumming. The group vocal arrangements get even more ambitious, complex and luscious on the banjo-driven `Another Day', with a sighing, almost gothic quality before racing through a nimble collection of instrumental passages. The closing 18 minute title track is loaded with glistening piano, Kansas- like commanding violin, more spirited banjo, lively acoustic guitar, dizzying synths and menacing Mellotrons that race through a collection of grand symphonic themes. It's a very powerful extended piece with seamless transitions between the numerous sections, it's only slightly let down by lack of a big finale.

Listeners wanting an album with reliable influences without being a total rip-off and devoid of originality should investigate `Second Sound' immediately. If you liked the last few Spock's Beard, Glass Hammer and Big Big Train albums, this does everything they do but even better, and with more muscle and dynamism. It sure as heck leaves the recent album from symphonic kings Transatlantic `Kaleidoscope' for dead! Those who prize inspired instrumental skills carefully applied to strong song writing won't find a finer modern band than Druckfarben, and despite only being on their second studio album, this talented Canadian band are already climbing the ladder, developing their own sound and delivering the prog goods at an enviable level. There's not many modern symphonic style albums that come even close to this real winner, and `Second Sound' is a triumph for melodic focused prog in 2014. One of the best prog albums of 2014? Maybe, just maybe...

Four stars.

"No... not Drunk & Fartin'!'

A friend asked what I was listening to this week. I said Druckfarben, to which he replied, "Drunk & Fartin'? That's a fun name!"

Not the best of band names this week, this reviewer explored both Pervy Perkins release and Canadian band, Druckfarben's latest offering. Pervy has been receiving high praise on this site. Druckfarben is flying, more-or-less, under the radar. In short, this reviewer was expecting a lot more from Pervy Perkins. Druckfarben, however, was like seeing a movie in the cheap theater on a rainy Sunday afternoon cause there's nothing better to do, only to have your world rocked, like you're the lead singer of My Darkest Days on the set of shooting "Porn Star Dancin."

Druckfarben is a raging alchemy of Yes, Rush, Spock's Beard and perhaps a twidge of Dixie Dregs (before you gasp with disagreement, listen to the violin part on "Dandelion" or the epic "Second Sound") with really exciting performances by all the musicians. Straight from the first notes on the album you will be lured with twisty song structures and prog-riddled ear candy. Will Hare's keyboard work is stellar and may be up there with Lalle Larsson and Ryo Okumoto. The vocalist, Phil Naro, may draw comparisons to Jon Anderson, (especially during the harmonies) or Benoit David from Mystery, but Phil's voice is still his own and he has some really playful lyrics and phrasings to work with. The melody lines in the song "Liberated Dream" are brain worms that will require the surgeon of time to put in some seriously long hours to fully amputate. The bass work has some Geddy influence, especially at the end of that song. This reviewer found the whole album to be delightfully entertaining, never dull, and chuck full of charisma. The production and recording is splendid with a very polished sheen. Pro... all the way.

If you feel like you're getting too old for the "Metal" of Dream Theater and want to rock without the ear bleed, this is your band. If you always wished Rush didn't fall into the blues rock vein of recent, then this is your band. If you don't understand why people like Yes, because you were never around during that time period, but want a Yes for this generation, then here it is. Bon appetite! This reviewer is a little shocked why Druckfarben haven't been getting more attention on this site especially after reading about the band's background and history. Quite the sum of their individual experiences! Prog on Druckfarben, you have much to be proud of!

This reviewers contender for Prog Album Of The Year.

Well-produced, fresh and original symphonic prog from Canada - that's what Druckfarben promise and that's what you get with them. With their sound not beholden to any particular past precedent (though at points I am put in mind of the likes of Isildur's Bane, or the more symphonic prog-influenced moments of Birds and Buildings), they can't be accused of being any sort of clone band - instead, you have brisk, adept keyboard work from keyboardist Will Hare which sets a brisk pace for the rest of the band to follow. Establishing themselves as one of the better Bandcamp outfits in a prog vein, Druckfarben's Second Sound should make them one to watch in the future.

I am listening to this album again as I type. I am a bit shocked that it hasn't been reviewed or noticed yet. That is why I am writing a very short review. Maybe others will follow. I see they dropped Siberian Khatru from the album due to legal stuffs. Damn! Anyway.. This is one amazing band. Blows away most live albums I have heard. Ed sounds like Steve Howe many times on here. That precise, slightly crazy playing that we all love and rarely hear. Phil Naro is amazing. To me, he is "the one that got away". Brilliant singer and IMHO, in the top 10 of great rock vocalists. Don't miss this. it is full of surprises!

If you're a proghead and you don't own this album then you need to correct that immediately and with due haste. 'Nuff said. Oh rats, I probably need to write more than that. Okay, the band with a very strange name are not German at all but are Canadian, and this is their debut album. They have all known each other for a long period of time and finally got a band together four years ago and at their debut live show their first number was 'Close To The Edge'. Yep, it's a given that these guys can play. I mean they can really play. What they have done here is taken the classic influences (Gentle Giant, Yes, King Crimson, ELP and have brought in Colosseum, Allan Holdsworth, Hatfield & The North among others) and have then just had a blast.

The first number is "ELPO" and is a keyboard-led instrumental. I mean, given that this a band that had a great singer who does even opens an album like that? I was send this as a download so hadn't read the booklet so when I started playing it I just presumed that it was an instrumental act. We move through the influences mentioned, plus more, as Druckfarben take us on a journey that contains great vocals and stunning musicianship. The only real question I have is how can I convince more people to investigate this? They are already recording their second album and are working on a live DVD release to boot. This is a brilliant album, well worth five stars, and one that I already love immensely. You need to visit their website and play some songs and then decide if you feel the same way. www.druckfarben.ca

The Canadian band DRUCKFARBEN has a history going back 25 or so years, when a handful of schoolmates with a deeper than average interest in music promised each other that at some point in time they should form a band, and that the mysterious word Druckfarben they had seen on some barrels was to be the band name. Fast forward to 2008 and the friends have all become seasoned musicians. They form their band, decide that their main desire with this project is to write and perform their own music and get going from there. And in the fall of 2011 they have their self-titled debut album ready for launch.

Retro-oriented progressive rock and hard rock with a firm base in the 70's is what Druckfarben presentsand explores on their self-titled debut album, a disc filled with a multitude of references, but perhaps dominated more than anything else with a Yes coloration due to the distinct lead vocals and vocal arrangements in general. A fine disc to be sought out by those who have the opinion that the best music was made in the 1970's, and a production that merits an inspection by those who generally find music from this decade to be charming in general and in particular by those who have a strong affection for the music of Yes and Jon Anderson.