ENCOUNTERS

The magnificent ''Deliverance'' brought high expectations for all SYLVAN fans and the band moved on to record a brand new album immediately.However bassist Patrick Münster left the band and the band had to function with several session musicians before finally offering the job to Sebastian Harnack.''Encounters'' though was recorded with Lars Koster.The CD was released on Angular Records.

The band didn't dissapoint anyone.This is another great SYLVAN work,though a little different than the previous one.Gone are some long spacey atmospheres,which I loved, and now they focus on a more melodic neo/symphonic approach in the lines of IQ,ARENA and COLLAGE,using a shorter track form,while traces of metal riffing start to become a major element.However the quality of the compositions remains high,all songs have emotional moments,good breaks,a symphonic grandeur and I find Marco Gluhmann to be an excellent vocalist with an immediate recognizable style.''Encounters'' is an album of different emotions,presenting moments of anger,sorrow,salvation and passion and could be loved by every progressive rock fan,despite a few dead points throughout.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.