SONIQ CIRCUS

This Swedish band started under the name TP3 but in 2006 the band changed it into Soniq Circus. In September 2007 they released their eponymous debut CD that contains both early as new work (total running time at about 45 minutes).

Their sound on this CD is mainly in the realm of the neo-prog with pleasant atmospheres but the music fails to keep my attention all the time. I enjoyed Bright Future (tasteful work on guitar and keyboards like the clavinet) and the dynamic songs Revolution (from dreamy and compelling to bombastic) and An Idiot (strong break with fiery guitar and lush organ and a synthesizer solo with propulsive guitar riffs).

A nice and pleasant debut CD but in my opinion Soniq Circus has to make more captivating music to compete with the many good new bands. I am looking forward to a second effort.

I began listening to Soniq Circus fairly recently as a part of my preparation for the annual Slottskogen Goes Progressive festival in Gothenburg, Sweden. Their debut album was available on Spotify and I gave it a few spins before taking my cross country trip to our western capital. My initial reaction was that this was a pretty forgettable record that featured a district prog sound but lacked any sense of originality. This is something that I feel that many of the modern Swedish prog bands are unfortunately being accustomed to, with the Flower Kings being the prime example of that.

The first track to actually receive some of my attention was Bright Future, which features memorable keyboard work and dual vocals from Calle Lennartsson and Marcus Enochsson. The composition does lose some of it's momentum halfway through the track due to a sudden shift in direction but eventually returns to it's humble beginnings towards the end. Revolution is memorable for it's surprisingly strong melody and Genesis inspired interludes, but there is something that holds me back from completely enjoying the performance. Maybe it's the poor production quality or the general direction of the composition that doesn't try to avoid the standard song build up?

This is when we're finally introduced to the album's most eclectic performances with both The Idiot and especially Chain Of Consequences finally showing that Soniq Circus has an identity of their own. Unfortunately, this realizations a bit late on the album. Even if I really enjoy these two compositions, it's just not enough to make this record anything more than a pleasant but somewhat forgettable experience that gives us an indication of a band breaking out of their shell.

**** star songs: Bright Future (8:26) Revolution (5:10) An Idiot (8:23) Chain Of Consequences (8:58)

*** star songs: Overture (3:14) Welcome (4:44) Colliding Stars (8:47)

Soniq Circus was an original idea of guitarist Marcus Enochsson and drummer Andreas Hanberger from Lund, Sweden, eventually forming a band named Telepilot 380 in late- 90's.However Hanberger would quit the next year and Marcus had to see his dream passing through numerous line-up shakes before coming true.Drummer Christer Ugglin and bassist Markus Nilsson became permanent members instantly in 2002 and 2004 respectively and in 2005 lead vocalist Calle Lennartsson was added in the line-up.In the meantime the band's fame was growing through several gigs and demos, having changed the name to T3.The latest addition was keyboardist Mathias Beckius in 2006 and T3 signed with Progress Records.Hansi Cross, the manager of the label, suggested them to change their name, so Soniq Circus were born and their self-titled debut saw the light in 2007.

The main aim of Marcus Enochsson since starting this project was to play energetic and dynamic Progressive Rock, influenced by the Classic Prog acts of the 70's.The result was partly in this vein, as Soniq Circus play some sort of powerful Heavy Prog with multiple breaks along the lines of BLACK BONZO, maybe a bit more modern, and URIAH HEEP, but with more apparent doses of complexity in the sound.The album is a fine blend of vintage memories and modern technology, sounding very fresh and passionate all the way and offering a fair amount of sudden breaks and changing climates among the series of inspired grooves.There is also some excellent vocal work by Calle Lennartsson to be found throughout the album, who has quite an impressive vocal range and really interesting color in his voice.Some cool Mellotron and organ moves stand next to the innovative use of synthesizers, resulting a damn good delivery, while the guitars are always in evidence.Add some symphonic textures to the overall powerful but still clearly proggy approach of Soniq Circus and you have an album full of tireless and rich Progressive Rock.

This is a band with huge potential, although their influences are coming constantly on the surface.Still this is pretty nicely-played Progressive Rock of great quality.Warmly reccomended.