BRENNENDE DROMMER

4.5 stars.This band is from Norway and they sing in their native language. The album's title means "Burning Dreams". The music itself is filled with mellotron and hammond organ, and I think i'm in love. Haha. As Eric points out in his excellent bio of the band, this is vintage 70's sounding Scandanavian music that recalls the sounds of SINKADUS, LANDBERK and ANGLAGARD. More straightforward and less complex i'll admit, but so enjoyable. Most of this album was recorded live in the studio by the way. Mellotron on every track !

"Incognito City" opens with a grinding guitar melody that is joined by the drums, organ then vocals. The organ before a minute is excellent. The vocals are quite passionate and the drums prominant. It's the guitar that I like on this one the best though. "Dvergenes Palass" opens with mellotron and vocals. It sounds great when the tempo picks up. The guitar and organ shine. The drumming is very upfront as usual. "Nostradamus" is for me the highlight of this record, an almost 10 minute ride. The mellotron is so strong to open. Gale force. The organ is wondrous as well. Drums and guitar join in but the mellotron and organ are breathtaking. Vocals 2 minutes in as the mellotron comes and goes throughout. A darker, heavier sound 4 1/2 minutes in as he almost yells the lyrics. It settles down 6 minutes in with some nice guitar. More majestic mellotron and then some tasteful guitar 9 minutes in.

"Pilegrim" is simply a feel good, mid-paced tune with lots of mellotron. The vocals, guitar and drums are prominant throughout. Very special music this is. "Jublende Rekker" is awesome to open with the mellotron floods with drums and guitar. Vocals a minute in that remind me of SINKADUS along with the overall sound. Organ 1 1/2 minutes in. A storm of mellotron before 4 minutes. Incredible sound 5 minutes in of mellotron, organ and drums. "Middelveis" opens with organ as the sound builds. Vocal melodies a minute in with vocals to follow. Mellotron floods after 2 minutes as tempo slows down. The tempo does pick back up with organ leading the way as themes are repeated. "Berg Og Dvale" is led by the organ and drums. Check out the guitar after 3 1/2 minutes as waves of mellotron blow through. "Doende Stein" opens with mellotron before we get some sinister sounding organ a minute in. Lots of mellotron in this one. Vocals are quite powerful at times. "I Taketimen" opens with mellotron and acoustic guitar as reserved vocals join in. Drums and a fuller sound follow. The organ and guitar before 3 minutes are fantastic. Mellotron to end it. What else ?

Highly recommended mellotron drenched music from the north.