CROWN OF CREATION

Emerald were conceived in 2002 by a company of Dutch students of the Tilburg Rock Academy, led by keyboardist and singer Tom Vanrijckeghem.After some personel changes they stabilized a line-up during the summer of 2003, featuring two guitarists, David van den Bogaard and Ruud de Boer, Marc de Bruijn on drums and Robin Zielhorst on bass.They made their debut in 2004 with the album ''Crown of creation'', a independent release by the band.

Emerald combined the sensibilities of energetic Neo Prog with the power of electric riffs, producing good arrangements split between melodic, dynamic and more adventurous ideas.They are kind of close to compatriots KNIGHT AREA or Swedish HASSE FROBERG & MUSICAL COMPANION minus the strong vintage references, with clean vocals and well-captured singing lines surrounded by atmospheric keyboards and lots of piano parts.Of course the album's great power comes from the presence of the two guitarists and their tendency towards hard lead runs and edgy solos.But the long tracks are very interesting with a fine balance between poppy voices, Classical-influenced piano interludes with a RICK WAKEMAN touch and in-your-face guitar moves, eventually evolving from symphonic themes to Hard Prog and laid-back textures.There are a couple of ballads, which appear to be closer to IZZ with slight THE BEATLES' undertones, and a pair of rockers with magnificent guitar work, filled with energy and passion.''Insubstantial liberation'' and the 2-part ''Politician'' are the best examples of Emerald's musical depth and varied inspiration sources, these tracks even feature some organ and samples Mellotron and contain music somewhere between URIAH HEEP, RICK WAKEMAN and MARILLION, executed via rich and emphatic arrangements with lots of different segments.

After the members graduated from the academy Emerald ceased to exist.Zielhorst became a member of the legendary Tech Metal band Cynic and even joined Dutch Progressive Metallers Exivious, Ruud de Boer joined the Atmospheric Rock/Metal band Trisomy, while David van den Bogaard became mostly involved in musicals and theater plays.

One-shot Dutch Prog album with a nice combination of accesible and multi-influenced Prog Rock.Enjoyable and energetic material, that comes warmly recommended.