MYSTERY REMAINS

Apogee is the one-man ensemble 8or almost) incarnated by German guitarist/bassist/keyboardist Arne Schäfer, also active in one of the most prominent German symphonic prog bands in later times (Versus X). Actually, one cannot help but remember how solidly Versus X has been evolving into a retroactive reconstruction of old- school symphonic prog rock with their 2008 album "Primordial Ocean", and now we listen to the Apogee material and can hypothesize about the place that the prime foundations for this sort of evolution came from, considering that Versus X started under a more neo- friendly guise with flourishing leanings toward the robust atmospheres of mid-70s VdGG and early King Crimson. Apogee's overall sound, however, as always been more agile and softer at the same time, and regarding this factor, "Mystery Remains" brings no great surprises to our ears. This doesn't mean at all that this album isn't attractive or interesting, because it is both, indeed. Now, let me confess that I don't enjoy the elaborated instrumental travels and variations in this album as I did for this same sort of thing as exposed in the various Versus X items I own in my collection. But again, this is an album I enjoy very much and it makes me appreciate Arne Schäfer's enthusiasm and creativity with greater factual knowledge. The album kicks off with the monster title track, lasting almost 13 minutes. The motifs and moods tend not to be excruciatingly intense, but the utilization of moderately dense ambiences in some passages brings a wealthy source of variety to the whole framework. It is somewhat akin to Discipline, Brighteye Brison and? well, Versus X, at least, to a degree. 'Get Your Reward' refurbishes the contemplative facet for its first half, until a more electric second half brings in some heat. 'The Claws Of Insanity' shifts things a bit toward a PF-related scheme. At the 4 ½ minute mark or so, the track explodes into realms of a bigger expressiveness, signaling some stylistic connections with High Wheel and Cliffhanger. The moderately bombastic finale states a properly ceremonious for the resulting melodic development. 'Point Of Ignition' isn't exactly too dissimilar from the preceding track. In a way, you can tell that these two tracks point out the basic standard for the whole album: in the particular case of 'Point Of Ignition', the more expansive use of keyboard inputs is remarkable, as well as the intensity built up during its interlude. 'Tracing Experience' occupies the album's last 20 minutes, which mostly recapitulates moods and sonic schemes we have found earlier in tracks 1?3. Of course, in a 20 minute span we can enjoy lots of motif transitions and mood shifts, all of them delivered across elegant links. Now it's time for the general balance. With 4 out of 5 tracks that last 12?20 minutes and the remaining one lasting almost 9, this repertoire clearly aims at exploring the inherently ambitious melodic drive of symphonic progressive rock: so, all avid symphonic prog lovers everywhere should check and appreciate this very good effort by Apogee. I give 3.4 stars to this one.

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