DIE GLÄSERNE WAND / SCHLEIFEN

German project APOGEE is the creative vehicle of composer and multi-instrumentalist Arne Schafer, a solo vehicle for material that doesn't fit in his main band Versus X. Since the first Apogee disc appeared in 1995 a total of six full length productions have been released under this moniker, of which "Waiting for the Challenge" from 2012 is the most recent. The double feature "Die Glaserne Wand & Schleifen", also released in 2012, isn't truly a part of the Apogee project. But as this is solo material by Schafer as well, the Russian label MALS Records opted to issue these archival recording under this already established moniker.

These archival recordings courtesy of Arne Schäfer, released under his Apogee moniker, document an ambitious musician with a need to cover and explore a lot of ground in terms of structures, arrangements and style. Some technical and instrument details do come across as fairly dated, and a certain taste for 80's style sounds will be needed to enjoy this double CD. But if you don't regard that as a major drawback and tend to enjoy a fairly eclectic and demanding take on the symphonic art rock universe, then you might want to inspect this production, alongside existing fans of Arne Schafer and his musical escapades.