AUSGELIEFERT

Although released in 2014, this is actually a reissue of the progressive band's self-titled debut album from 2001, here with new artwork, a new title, plus two bonus songs "Die Reise" and "Die andere Seite". These were originally recorded in 2005 and were intended to be released on an EP, but that did not happen and although they were included on the second album 'Die Andrere Seite', they are no longer available on the current version of that release. For whatever reason, this German band has never been the most prolific in the genre, with only four albums in the last 20 years, but signing to Progressive Promotion for their third, 'Das Geheimnis' in 2013, saw that label reissue the first two. Although I had heard the last two albums, this was the first time I had come across the debut so was interested to see how it stood up against the more recent material and the answer to that is very well indeed.

To my ears they are an incredibly consistent band, bringing together a very string mix of guitars, keyboards, vocals, and melodies which are instantly accessible and enjoyable. All the lyrics are in German but listening to songs in a foreign language has never worried me, and it is nice to hear a band performing in their native tongue. Given this album is now some 20 years old, it is perhaps surprising to hear just how relevant and fresh it feels today. There is no doubt they had been influenced by the 90's neo-prog scene, especially the bands coming out of the UK with a slightly heavier bent such as Galahad while also bringing in some of the more symphonic sounds beloved of IQ. If someone had told me this album had been released in 2021, I really would not have been surprised, as it is ageless in many ways, and all the better for it. They mostly stick away from the more Wagnerian styles that some German bands feel the need to deploy, and while they do flirt with some progressive metal tendencies, for the most part this is solid neo progressive rock with a heavy emphasis on guitars playing melodic lines as opposed to heavy riffs. It is definitely worth investigating for those who have not previous come across the band, as it certainly does not come across as a 20-year- old debut.