KEYHOLDER

We have an all-star cast here really with Stolt and Reingold from THE FLOWER KINGS, Mats Agren from the MATS / MORGAN BAND and vocalist Lundstrom from RITUAL. Lundin on keyboards along with Stolt are original members. I must admit I was disappointed but not too surprised to see this album clock in at 78 1/2 minutes, heck with two FLOWER KINGS involved you know there will be lots of material.The vocals are the weakest part of this album and therefore bring the rating down since they are so prominant.The female vocalist who guests is even worse, but that's just my tastes. All I know is that if this album was food and I was a diabetic i'd be in trouble. It's too sweet for it's own good.

"Lifetime Of A Journey" opens with outbreaks of sound that come and go as this Brian May-like guitar comes in. A calm with vocals takes over. I like when it changes around 2 1/2 minutes and the chunky bass comes in.Great sound 4 1/2 minutes in as well with the bass and guitar leading. "A Complex Work Of Art" opens with keyboards and drums outfront then it picks up with bass and guitar joining in.Those light syrupy female vocals come in.Yikes ! I do like the instrumental section before 5 1/2 minutes. Sappy vocals are back 9 minutes in. "The Weed Of All Mankind" has an instrumental intro including mellotron. By the way Andy at Planetmellotron believes the mellotron on this album is sampled and not real. Almost spoken vocals a minute in.The best part of the song is the instrumental part way through.

"Sonic Pearls" is fairly quiet for 2 minutes then it gets louder. Vocals a minute later. Some soaring guitar before 4 1/2 minutes when the vocals stop. "The End Of The Rope" opens with mellow guitar and floating organ. Check out the instrumental section that lasts from before 3 minutes to before 10 minutes. Nice. "Across The Big Uncertain" has an intro i'm not a fan of. Or the female vocals after 1 1/2 minutes. It's better when the tempo picks up with bass and guitar. "Distant Voices" builds to a powerful soundscape as the vocals join in. Mellotron, bass and piano lead 2 minutes in. Laid back guitar follows.The tempo and mood continue to change. "Otherworlldly Brights" is the laid back closer as we get reserved vocals as it calms right down 1 1/2 minutes in.Then it gets fuller as contrasts continue.

FLOWER KINGS fans should really check this out along with you RITUAL fans out there.