KNIGHT AREA

I'm going to admit, I came to 'Knight-area' as a total novice when it comes to progressive rock. So I am not the very best judge when it comes to summing up the album.

However, when I put on the album, I felt they were just imitating Genesis and Yes, maybe ELP. Sure, the vocals sound like a modern pop singer but other than that...

I feel a bit bad giving them '2 out of 5' because their playing is exemplory and this is a much better record than a lot of music that would have come out in 2007. Their 'soundscapes' are pretty impressive, quite massive sounding, their instrumental work is really good, but they really are the same tones and textures you would have heard in the 70's from Genesis. Exactly the same. I already have 'Trick of the tail', 'Selling England by the pound', etc. so why do I need someone to more or less remake it 30 or so years later?

But that said I would have liked to have given it 2.5 stars, so it looks like a pass, because the music is quite good, originality aside.

Realm of shadows from 2009, their newest work to date is another worthy Knight Area album. It goes very well with the previous one, same aproach, same great pieces, same fat soud, all is here to make another excellent addition is everyone's collection. I don't think is their best album from all 3, I realy am on the second album to be their most mature and mostt chalenging one, but this one is close. Knight Area grow a lot from the first album who was a good one but less captivating then these two, and they manage to bring in neo prog world another great relase full of catchy pieces and great arrangements. While the music is very ok , they bring nothing new in this genre , but they play so good and has a very solid sound that easy can forget about the missing pieces of this lated album. All tracks are good, nothing realy unintristing, as I said on previous review maybe the voice is usual but ok , he did a good job and is just great for this kind of music. Best pieces are to me the instrumental Momentum and a couple two more, the rest are again good. So, this album with strong musicianship, manage to climb very high in neo prog scene, one of the front bands of this genre I ight say. Realm of shadows desearve again 4 stars, maybe 3.5 rounded up to 4, because of the excellent sound and profesionalism of this band.

Knight Area, this excellent dutch band coming from a new generation of brilliant musicians. Having released 3 albums in 5 years , they climb with each release higher and higher in prog scene. This is their second album from 2007 named Under a new sign. I only know this band quite recently, somewhere in spring this year I heard for the first time this album, but never own it until last week together with their next one and their most fresh from 2009 Realm of shadows. So let's say something about this second release of this dutch band. First, they play neo prog with very catchy pieces, second I was very impressed by their music, they have such a fat sound, with a proeminet bass, always very loud but keeping of course the lines with the rest. While the music is very strong, the voice is very familiar, not bad but the vocalist sounds like another one hundred ones from this genre, anyway he did a great job here in the end. Usualy I'm little restrictive about neo prog bands, some I like some I don't, some albums and bands appeal more then other to me, this time Knight Area did it, they manage to creat a solid album in neo prog scen. Alternating from more symphonic moments too a more rougher in places this dutch band is alwais great here, every piece is where belongs, nothing is left aside, everything is calculated very well and this is clear on pieces like Exit L.U.M.C. or the excellent title track, who is a instrumental one, very symphonic sound and atmosphere with some excellent keyboard arrangements by one of the most promissing musicians from this country Gerben Klazinga , great work here. So overall I was very pleased what I heared on this second album, I will give 4 stars easy, one of the best neo prog albums in last couple of years.

Indeed, cover of their albums is always nice (so far nice should I say?). Music is also very good, but I had a hard time writing this review. So let's continue with something nice:

This is perfect example of modern Neo-prog (even in case for example Conspiracy there are synths similar (or even the same) that Pendragon and Arena are using, but after all I don't wonder, when Clive Nolan is in both bands, but anyway), with strong emphasis on melodic part of music. Not as dark as Arena and not as over-synth as Pendragon is. Hm, no terribly long song here, all of them are from 4-7 minutes. Quite balanced album, I like that. Also good is that most of these songs are completely different and have a good chance to be remembered after a while. I listened this three months ago and still was able to remember bits and flashes of this.

5(-), very special Neo-prog.

The Netherlands' Knight Area is rapidly becoming the new darling of the Neo prog world, a genre that certainly has its detractors (there are a few terrible Neo recordings but also some exceptional ones), a style that can be a favorite whipping boy for various hard line musical elitists. Together with Poland's Satellite, Knight Area can boast of a fine series of discs that constantly evolve into a sharper, more honed ambiance that captures the imagination and provides great audio entertainment. Their third album "Realm of Shadows" is a consecration of sorts, with vocalist Mark Smit further fine-tuning his craft, a fantastic singer that is only too rare while guitarist Mark Vermeule is now the only axe slinger (they used to have 2 fretmen) and does an admirable job. Keyboardist Gerben Klazinga continues his tremendous work on the ivories and the rhythm section is first rate with the amazing Giijs Koopman on Rickenbacker bass leading the charge. We open with "Ethereal", a gentler piece that reaches out for the more symphonic elements that this quality group easily masters, ringing guitars and sweeping keys adorn the arrangement that keeps growing in poise and passion, a harrowing guitar solo seals this one nicely echoes of Mike Holmes are evident. On "Antygony", the feel is darker ("devil in disguise"), a welcome edge remaining still very powerful and interesting, perhaps even closer to recent IQ than ever before which is the ultimate compliment. Vermeule in particular displays some nimble finger picking that is quite resounding. The accessible "Two of A Kind" proposes a breezier affair that targets affairs of the heart rather than some Tolkienesque storyline. Some blazing mellotron really give this a magic patina that is very alluring aided by some fab backing vocals and while not complex or demanding, has a superb guitar solo full of engaging feeling and heartfelt emotion. The brief instrumentals "Momentum" and "Awakening" do precisely that, altering the atmosphere in preparation of an onslaught of tighter tracks, a serene memory of Hackett/Holmes flights that exude a forlorn sense of melancholia on the first and synths, piano and 'trons ablaze on the follower. Yes, this is distinguished, quixotic, charismatic and poetic but things get quickly furious with the raging "Dark Souls", a rampaging slab of symphonic exaltation, rampant synthesizer contrails twirling within vast howls of grandiose mellotron and Smit recalling the somber stories of a world gone insane. Engaging material, really! The title track is another highlight, initially sedate in a Genesis mold before exploding into a gushing fountain of symphonic eruptions (check out Koopman's agile bass!) and a magnificent vocal that bellows conviction and a sense of razor desperation. "A Million Lives" is a more driven exercise, guitars and bass thumping with authority giving the piece some expansive qualities, a series of butterfly synth solos and great drumming throughout. The finale is the 11 minute+ "Occlusion", at first we are plunged in definitely gloomier territory (a devilish voice intoning that the end is near) before veering into sweet veneers that soothe and mystify. A brutish guitar/synth riff pummels this into a clearer world of colossal emotions and authoritative chords, again the bass shining the way towards some apocalyptic resolution. Lots of contrasts here, the composition is unhurried and evolves organically until a huge bluesy guitar solo emerges from the mist and encourages Smit to express his sorrowful demise ("I will fight my way").

I wholly agree with Tarcisio that this is not a masterpiece but stays well within the high quality parameters this group has erected for itself and I am sure they will continue on their highway to excellence. I still consider their second album to be their finest effort yet; perhaps when I leave my shadows, things may brighten up. 4 sheltered kingdoms

It seems to me that Knight Area gets a little better with each release. That was the case between their first and second CDs and this the same thing with Realm Of Shadows. Even if they had lost two membres along the way (including one of the Klavinga brothers), the new release shows the band still growing strong and the songwriting maturing even more. While I can´t really say it is a masterpiece, there is little doubt that those guys from Holland are on the right path to deliver something like that anytime soon.

The band is much tighter, the arrangements are more concise and they are now sounding very much like their own. It is always good to see a good group finding their way of delivering good, melodic prog with passion and conviction. I specially liked how the members are sounding better and still they are team players: every instrument comes and goes at the right time, with ho unnecessary display of virtuosity. I specilly liked Gijs Koopman´s bass lines, very precise and reminding me of the great Chris Squire. The keyboards are very well the lead instrument (echoes of Genesis around the time of Wind & Wuthering are quite recurring here), while the guitar is a little subtle, but very well played. Mark Smit´s singing is getting better with each release. The production is quite good too.

All in all I found Realm Of Shadows to be a fine CD with some great moments and no fillers to be find. Nothing new or groundbreaking here, but still excellent, beautiful music. If you´re into neo prog, or melodic music in general, this is a must have. 4 stars.

Excellent album with solid composition!

I am practically newbie as far as Knight Area concern as I only knew the band couple of months ago when a friend of mine introduced me to this 'The Sun Also Rises' album. It was not much I expected at first because of 'neo-prog' label on the kind of music this band plays and the fact that there have been many bands in this sub-genre. So was the case when I first spun the album as it sounded typical neo-prog where keyboard and guitar are dominant in the composition. But on the second spin I found the music was very interesting especially on brave guitar solo during interlude section or in between musical segments. Not only that, the keyboard also plays critical role in putting it all together in a solid composition throughout the album.

It has come to my attention, actually, that when we talk about neo-prog there are basically two categories. The first category is the kind of music that early Marillion (Fish era) plays where there are basically putting more high energy (refer to songs like 'Assassing', 'Garden Party', 'Forgotten Sons', 'He Knows You Know'). Pallas ('Beat The Drum'), IQ ('The Wake', 'The Darkest Hour', 'Tunnel Vision') and Arena ('A Crack In The Ice', 'Welcome to The Cage') may fall into this category. The second category is those bands who play in mellow / slower tempo music in moody, ambient style like the music of Camel. Bands under this category are Pendragon, Red Sand, and Knight Area. Under this category, the music is much digestible for wider audience because it has stronger pop nuances.

Below writing describes my thoughts on the music of Knight Area in this album with some comments on some tracks ?

The opening overture 'Beyond' (0:27) sets an excellent tone for the whole album as it starts with an ambient music featuring Latimer-like guitar playing. It flows nicely to the next excellent track 'The gate of eternity' (7:21) which starts with an ambient style followed by melodic vocal line accompanied by guitar fills and long sustain keyboard work at background. I have to admit that the opening vocal line here is quite catchy and sometimes reminds me to the music of Symphonic Slam. What follows is a stunning guitar solo in the vein of Marillion's 'Sugar Mice' guitar interlude but in much slower tempo. You can imagine how slow the music is as compared to Marillion because 'Sugar Mice' is basically a mellow track in 'Clutching At Straw' album.

'Conspiracy' (5:38) brings more energy to the music with keyboard-drenched intro in an interesting musical part. Even though I do not quite like the part when vocal starts to roll but this song is excellent that you may recall the keyboard part is in the vein of Marillion's 'Garden Party'. 'Forever now' (4:21) runs in faster tempo and the music is something similar with Camel style with more portion of keyboard work. The keyboard solo is in fact very good, especially when it's combined with skillful guitar playing. The title track 'The sun also rises' (5:51) is an instrumental piece in mellow style. 'A new day at last' (5:12) starts with a catchy piano solo followed with melodic vocal line backed with stunning guitar work.

I can recommend you to have this album, especially if you love the mellow side of neo-prog and stunning guitar solo combined with keyboard. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild ? GW

4 stars are too many may be, but I like this record very much. Excellent prog and very good musicians. Nothing to do with previous album which after first listening I put on a shelf where it will probably be forgotten. This album has good atmpospheres with special mention to the symphonic final of A different Man - Part ll .

Because the latest by Knight Area (Under a new Sign) was recently in the store I bought that one first. I was so much impressed that I went after this one as soon as possible. Again I was absolutely not disappointed but problem is that this debut had to be a double masterpiece to beat its successor and I have to admit, it isn't.

Still this is very good, I already had read some reviews and they were very promising. Why is it less ? It's just that the songs are less impressive, it could also be my preference for longer tracks that makes the difference again. On the other hand, the best track on this album is Conviction and that is not really long. This song has everything I look for in prog in general and in neo prog particularly. It has a lot of energy, great keyboards, great guitar and very good melody. It's only a little bit short in length but this also proves that I'm not simply obsessed by tracktimes but that the music always comes first. This is a very compact song and it's simply perfect, maybe even better than the best tracks on Under a new Sign !

But just about all the other tracks are very worthwhile as well (first two minutes of Conspiracy !) and it's just that I got to know the other one first, gave that one 5 stars, have to admit this is (slightly) less and round it down to 4, but it's actually worth 4.5 stars.

4 1/2 starsUnder a New Sign is much better than their first album. Allthough The Sun Also Rises is a good album it did not have the atmosphere that is present at this album. After reading all the reviews the album turned out not as NEO as I exepcted. Sometimes it's CAMELesk, sometimes you hear a bit of GENESIS. Guitarplay is excellent (even some parts come close to ANGLAGARD IMHO). Drums/Bass are much better than on their previous work. Vocals are great, reminds me of KAYAK.

I must admit that this band has joined my DUTCH top 3 (with FINCH & ALQUIN).