SOMATERIA SPECTABILIS

Very good dutch project led by Derk-Evert Waalkens (keyboards) and Hans Gerritse (guitars and bass), helped by drummer Dik Pomp and two vocalists. When I heard the name King Eider I thought it would be some kind of ancient knight story like Excalibur or something like that. When I got the CD I found out it is really a concept work that deals with ecology and the name refers to a specie of artic duck (which is the main protagonist). Their sole CD was released in 2005 and it is not very well known. Which is really a pity.

The music is simply great, with elements of symphonic prog (on the keyboards lines), neo prog (the Camel/Pink Floyd influenced guitar solos), plus classic rock, folk, country, blues and even some Beatles melodies thrown in for good measure. Although those parts are not very well mixed - resulting a variation of styles from track to track - the songwriting and the tasteful arrangments are so strong and convincing that in the end it all seems to work in their favor. There are no fillers and the musicanship of all involved is very good. Production could be a little better, but still works fine here.

If you enjoy bands like Flamborough Head, Knight Area, Pendragon, Clepsydra and the like you can´t miss this CD. It´s quite an eclectic album, with many musical references. I really hope those guys get together again soon and release some more sutff in near future. Somateria Spectabilis is surely very promising and will please anyone who likes good, well played musc that sounds quite familiar and still has something of their own. 4 stars.