QUEST FOR THE HEARTLAND

RICOCHER were formed in 1993 in The Netherlands. The first years they were playing prog covers, but as the years passed, their own material got a bigger part of their set-list. With the release of their self-financed debut CD "Quest for the Heartland" the covers are gone, and the CD contains four of their own compositions. Their own material is neo-progressive rock with reminiscences to ARENA, ASIA, FORGOTTEN SUNS, MARILLION and PENDRAGON. The vocalist Erwin Boerenkamps has a very good voice. When I first saw the magnificent cover artwork I instantly got the impression that it was made by Mattias Norén. I searched for the sleeve notes inside the CD-booklet and got it confirmed. "Quest for the Heartland" is a very strong debut album, although it lacks some originality. But RICOCHER has the potential to become the next big band in the neo-progressive genre.