CROMWELL

The result is an album which is basic neo-prog which sounds as if it had come from the Nineties as opposed to a much more modern release. Also, I actually thought the drums had come from a machine as opposed to a human, and the result is something which may have been influenced by bands like IQ, Pallas, Jadis, Enchant or Saga (according to the band themselves), but has little in the way of power or drive of any of them. It has far more in common with guitar- driven melodic rock than neo-prog, although there are plenty of keyboards, and the result is something which rarely captures the imagination. There is nothing inherently bad about any of it, but there is little here which encourages me to listen to it ever again once I have finished writing the review. I would much rather listen to any of their influences as opposed to Cromwell themselves, as this is basic stuff at best. It really does sound as if we have gone back nearly 30 years and I am playing a demo tape all over again, as while the production is as strong as I would always expect from Schnella, none of the rest of it lives up to that.

This prog truly screams Neo, and in a blindfold test it almost could be mistaken for a British first wave Neo Prog of the early 80's -- in which case it would certainly be better remembered and appreciated. The production is rather 80's sounding. The unsophisticated synth carpets dominate the sound. Definitely the British equivalents such as Arena and IQ were miles ahead in 1997 especially when it comes to the sound. But the songs themselves are fairly good and it's easy for the listener to be taken by their dramatic essence. The 10-minute 'Tunnel' is one of the highlights. But a strong Neo Prog liking is definitely required.

Cromwell's second and last album Black Chapter Red was released almost two decades later in 2016. The little uniqueness they had here was mostly gone because of the heavy-mannered male vocals and the heavier guitar.

This band from Germany delivers one of the best neo prog i ever heared in long time. With only two albums released so far, their most recent one is called Black chapter red, issued in 2016 after almost 20 years silence from debut Burning banners. Worth the wait?, yes it does big time. Cromwell is to me one of the most intristing bands from this genre with nice and smooth keys passages and very strong rythmic section and the job they done is little more intresting then on many bands from this genre. The voice is no more from a female as on previous album but a new voice of Holger Weckbach, who is excellent on all pieces, reminds me a lot in tone of voice with DC Cooper from Royal Hunt. The instrumental sections are more then ok, but to me the cherry on the cake are the keyboards, really really good, I was impressed, didn't expect to be so inspired from start to finish. Catchy album, with melodic lines but aswell complicated twists and turns just to be an enjoyble ride for fans of the genre. Forte pieces, title track , Black Confetti or the opening one.

So in the end a big 4 stars for this excelent album. It's a shame that this band didn't get very much attention from the prog conoseurs because worth every second. Recommended, better and far more intresting outfit then many bands from neo prog from today.

Those who are fond of the harder-edged variety of neo-progressive rock that some bands started to explore in the '90s should feel right at home with this sophomore production by Cromwell. Tight, firm and dark toned guitars paired off with light toned keyboard arrangements are the key combination that creates an appealing sound, with effective vocals and clever use of minor alterations, as the details that ensure nerve and tension, are maintained quite nicely. Fans of a band like IQ (circa 1985-'87) and Galahad might want to give this one a spin.

The album is a real treasure of modern Neo Prog with a tendency towards heavier textures and a sound not unlike bands like ABRAXAS and PALLAS or fellow countrymen CRYSTAL MAZE, SYLVAN and DARIUS.Based on a magnificent production effort, Cromwell proposed a rich-sounding, bombastic and powerful Progressive Rock with a constant alternation between heavy-sounding grooves and memorable melodies, eventually offering some awesome pearls of music.Female vocalist Anke Taeffner belongs possibly among the greatest voices of the movement, a voice expressive as a poet, crystalline as water and powerful as hell, only comparabe to that of Carol of Harvest's Beate Krause.The musicianship draws influences both for the New Wave of British Prog and contemporary prog,the grandiosity of the synthesizers' sound reminds of early PALLAS, having an evident symphonic color, while the guitar work is half split between DARIUS' energy and ARRAKEEN's sweet melodies.The shifting moods are numerous and unique, from a calm delicacy to an exposing wrath, a track can find itself torn between a number of changing climates.The result is no less than first class Neo Prog with a balanced sound.

Unfortunately the band suffered from line-up changes and their only official recording after the album was the cover of ''Another Day of Sorrow'' for the 2000 Pink Floyd tribute ''Signs of life''.Yet Cromwell are still active today, preparing for a second album, already written and performed, waiting for its mix and mastering.

Around the time of its release ''Burning Banners'' remained rather unnoticed, even more today, so many years after it saw the light.Still this is almost a perfect example of trully adventurous Neo Prog with a dramatic touch and deserves a wider spread.Highy recommended.

This band from Germany delivers one of the best neo prog i ever heared in long time. With only one album in their pocket entitled Burning banners from 1997, Cromwell is for sure on of the most intristing bands from this genre with nice and smooth keys passages and very strong rythmic section. The voice is the cherry on the cake here specially on tracks like How Long? and Burning banners where you can see how easy this girl take the notes no matter if she sung on low register or high. Very good are the instrumental pieces that make this album to sound very compact and solid in the same time. Forte pieces are all but with a plus on Tunnel, Burning banners and Cromwell the rest are also good. So in the end a big 4 stars for this excelent album. It's a shame that this band and album doesn't get very much attention from the prog conoseurs because worth every second. Recommended, above many bands from neo prog from today.