SONGS FROM THE LIAR'S LAIR

"Songs From The Liar's Lair" is clearly the best album from Finland's Ageness. From the opening chords of Martial Arts, it's evident that these guys are serious and furious. This album puts Ageness certainly to a crossover prog cathegory as the music is all very symphonic with a darker edge. With the new guitarman Speedy Saarinen, the band has managed to create an extraordinary album that undoubtedly has that 'classic' feel in it. It's like this music has been around there somewhere, lurking in the psychic airwaves waiting to be released. The melodies also have a certain extra quality, which separates these songs from almost everything I've heard after the 70's golden era of prog. The other thing you notice that the quality of production and arrangements are well thoughtout and performed brilliantly. Tommy Eriksson's vocals have never sounded better and now I discovered his outstanding talent with all the nuances and mood changes he delivers with his singing. Keyboard sounds have been selected carefully to fit the ever changing soundscapes on this album. Some strange sounding string instruments are included and a very David Cross-like violin solo on The Lament Of Ghosts. The rhythmic elements are very powerful and Kari Saaristo's performance is solid and sometimes even wreckless. Jari Ukkonen on bass guitar delivers some ultrametallic throbbings when necessary, but also takes care of the lower frequencies. For me personally it's hard to pinpoint a specific song, as the music flows fluently and I like to listen this album in one go! Maybe the closing song (and I don't mean that hidden track with no index) Liar's Lair has something magical in it, that it may bring success beyond these uptight musical boundaries in the modern hasty world. You can almost smell the freshness in Ageness :) So maybe the album of the year 2009? Highly recommended!

The new Ageness album has been long in waiting and the question remains: was it worth it? The answer is: Yes!! This album finally makes their career and satisfies even the most demanding prog fan for sure.

The opening track Entering is a kind of an introduction before the band starts with a powerful drive of the first real song Martial Arts and it's no ordinary song I can tell you! This is one of (if not) the best track(s) I've ever heard: - odd time signature with a groove, strong vocals, catchy choruses, virtuosity, clever arrangement and big harmonies (àla Yes). The singing is very high standard throughout the whole album as the second track The Lie And The Liar clearly shows (with a great opera section in the middle). A hint of 70's David Bowie in Why Don't You Go Away followed by some nice Frippish guitarwork. A poppish track next as Sons Of Madness is a song with a good melody and lots of backing vocals. A calm middle section leading to a furious keyboard solo followed by a guitar driven interplay with the rest of the band. A nicely and accurately performed piano intro leads to the moody and intensive The Lament Of Ghosts, which rivals with Martial Arts about the best track title of this album and indeed has also excellent melodies and even a hard Metallica style variation the song's main theme leading to the menacing ending. The closing track Liar's Lair is a nice ballad with nice vocal harmonies and great melody line. A catchy singalong chorus leads to the calm closing section (àla Pink Floyd), where some of the albums themes are repeated.

All in all, a stunning album from this underrated band. Perhaps this will lead their way to the big league of modern prog, or at least to the higher level than they were before.

Being a big fan of progressive metal like Dream Theater and Queensryche, I must admit that this years best album so far, surprisingly comes from a band which has been labeled as neo-progressive here at Prog Archives. This album has it all: Dark passages, triumphant moogsolos, soaring guitars, rich choruses and furious drumming. The strongest elements though, are the compositions and the rich arrangements. For me, the highlights are both epics running close to ten minutes, but the whole album flows like a one great piece of music with all the changes and effects nicely sitting in their rightfully selected places. You can hear echoes from some 70's most famous progressive bands like King Crimson, Yes, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath etc. But they're just echoes, as the concept is quite original and very entertaining. The vocal parts are clear and varied, sounding from softer/warmer tones to hardest screams (even to a David Bowie/Peter Hammil type of growling).

I can warmly recommend this album and it's getting better with repetitive listening, which is hard to say about most of the modern releases...

I can see where this might be compared to post-Gabriel but pre-pop Genesis, and even why some people might enjoy it. But for me, the album is marred by one of the most irritating singers in progressive rock I have ever heard. Now I like Roine Stolt, but I realize the main man behind The Flower Kings has a shaky voice. This fellow sounds like Stolt in the middle of a seizure when he is quiet, but sounds like Joe Walsh with his mouth full of gobstoppers when he hits higher notes. Musically, the album is okay, but barely- it's uninspired at best and almost as annoying as the singer at worst. It'd be best to avoid this one.

"Entering" This is a promising opening, beginning with gurgling electronic sounds, but is later full of strings and powerful electric guitar.

"Martial Arts" The introduction of the first track explodes into what is normally reserved for the end of the finale at a live concert- loads of cadenza-like bits and double bass thudding. While not a terrible composition per se, the first half of this track almost gives me a headache, mainly due to the drumming and that awful vocalist. I can't stand the terrible instrumentation used, and the lyrics are kind of silly ("I got caught again with my pants down holding a sword," followed by something I can't make out, and then the falsetto backup singers chanting, and the lead singer singing, "my precious ding-a-ling?" Really? Really?). The only noteworthy thing about this piece is the lead guitar, and even that can be grating at times.

"The Lie And The Liar" Lovely acoustic guitar accompanies the not-so-lovely voice of the singer. There some obvious references to the X-files ("Maulder and Scully," unless I am completely mishearing the lyrics). Once again, the guitar is the highlight, but that isn't saying very much. Inexplicable chanting occurs at the end, but very briefly.

"Why Don't You Go Away" An ironic question, given the repetitive sound and goofiness. Mostly, it's a noisy track with, again, terrible vocals and more unexpected monk-like singing at the end.

"Sons Of Madness" I picture this as theme music for an early 1980s evening television show, I'm sorry to say. The synthesizer and guitar solos are a positive element to this otherwise awful piece of work.

"The Lament Of Ghosts" Soft piano begins this track, followed by gentle guitar and that twisted singing voice (singing some equally disturbing lyrics). Musically, this has to be one of the most irritating tracks ever (I literally reached for my volume knob a time or two). It's downright repetitive at the end.

"Liar's Lair" With goofy lyrics and singing as though this were a third-rate musical, the final track goes on. It doesn't sound too terrible overall, but is fairly unremarkable, with nothing to set it apart from what many other bands in this genre are doing.

I had great expectations of this new album. Could the band leader Tommy Eriksson and his colleagues come up with another fine release again after the fabulous albums Rituals (1995) and Imageness (1998) ? The answer is: yes, they could, although I wasn't so happy when I heard the album for the first time. Then, I realized that I was expecting the sound Ageness produced in the nineties. I forgot that both the band and I are ten years older and we might have changed music wise. I kept that in mind during the following listening sessions and that proved to be the right way to enjoy this new Ageness album. I really began to love this top-notch album and almost got addicted to it. I just had to play it every day. The modern sounds we hear on Songs From The Liar's Lair fit the band perfectly. Vocals are the highlights of the album and the strong melodies in compositions. From time to time, we have some fabulous synth solos, impressive mellotron passages and excellent guitar solos by Speedy Saarinen. The rhythm section Jari Ukkonen on bass and Kari Saaristo on drums, both doing a great job on their instruments. So I can highly recommend this fabulous album and don't want to wait for another ten years for the next album release. For this outstanding album, I can only give the highest rating possible. And don't get the CD out of your system after the last notes of Liar's Lair. Because the band has a fine hidden extra for all those who have are patient enough to wait until the CD really reaches the end.

Its been about over 10 years since this Finnish prog band put out an album. Luckily they have moved with the times and updated their sound. So the overall sound is much more modern with guitars taking on a harder edge. Enough keyboard noodling to let us know that the band still remembers the 70s. Vocalist has a flair for the dramatic delivery that does evoke a bit of Mr. Gabriel but there is also an early 70s David Bowie thing going on as well. This one was a lot of fun - fans of symphonic rock should check these guys out.

This album has been dividing reviewers in the middle. Some of them has been surprised positively and some few find it quite horrible. For me this is the one of the best, if not the best album made in our home country. Yes I'm from Finland too, and I must say that I've had recently been enjoying the higher standard in Finnish progbands. Newer acts like Overhead, Circle, Jeavestone, Uzwa and Alamaailman Vasarat to name a few, are touring abroad, even overseas at times.

Ageness was the band that started it all in the 90's, and they were quite 'lone rangers' at the time. So there was quite a lot of speculation, if the new album will ever appear as some interviews promised it already in 2002!! So here it is at last, and it is even better than I expected!! Tommy Eriksson has really got his band in order and with Speedy Saarinen on guitar and the old rhythm section with Kari Saaristo (drums) and Jari Ukkonen (bass), he managed to make the best album in their career!

No bad tracks at all, starting with a pulsating tone and symphonic opening, cracked by a powerfull guitar riff, then "entering" the mayhem of throbbing percussions and swirling moogs. Second track "Martial Arts", clocking almost ten minutes, is full of twists and turns, humorous lyrics (and 'Zappaesque' falsetto harmonies and triple meanings). A great opening with strong melodic line and very Finnish symphonic 'Sibelian' finale! Third track "The Lie And The Liar", an intense story which grows from a ballad to an operatic middle section. Followed by very good and athmospheric guitar solo and continues with strong melodylines with a touch of Pink Floyd and King Crimson. Fourth track "Why Don't You Go Away", a mid tempo dark song with some strange vocal lines reminding me early 70's David Bowie at times. A rather convincing Gregorian Monk chorus in the end tops this quite moody song (where's the light switch?). Next song's title "Sons Of Madness" promises no light, but I was wrong! After few dark chords, the curtains are drawn and the sun shines in, very positive (almost happy) song with loads of delicious musical (and some acrobatic) lines from keyboards and guitars and some even jazzy interplay in the end. Excellent vocals (like on the whole album) and a beacon of light before the dungeon... The "Lament Of Ghosts" is the epic of this album, clocks just below ten minutes as well, opens with a piano that reminds me of Genesis (the only bit on this album that does that), followed by a guitar accompanying intense vocals with a strong feeling that something weird is going to happen... and it does! From mayhem to tranquility, this song has all what it takes from a good movie and the ending is so scary that there should be a warning sticker attached somewhere! The horror ends abrubtly and the final ballad Liar's Lair is just what the doctor ordered, gentle calm atmosphere and excellent melodies and harmonies throughout this one as well. A long fadeout to oblivion, a nice relaxing atmosphere stays for a moment after the music's out. But wait for three minutes or so and after some awkward noices, like snoaring or something, the hidden track hits in with strong groove. A very rocking track which sounds like an extra take in the studio, very tongue-in-cheek, they must have had fun playing this. It brought a smile on myface too. Excellent and very entertaining album, a masterpiece and highly recommended.

When looking at the back catalogue of this band, there are two gaps of about ten years. The first album dates from 1983 and then nothing in nine years. In the nineties they made three albums and now, after more than 10 years, we have a new record. A lot of reviewers say about Ageness that they are heavily influenced by Genesis, if you speak the name out loud you might find the first hint, however, I personally think that the music is more a combination of IQ and Presto Ballet leaning a bit more to the progressive metal style. The latter band to me has the most similarities with the sound of Ageness, a slick production almost cleaned to perfection. I like Tommy Eriksson's singing and for me it fits the music perfectly.

The first track Entering is a symponic keyboard intro with a pulsating rhythm, but Martial Arts is where the fun starts. The timing on this song is very strange, many time changes but not really pushing it, for once a prog-metal band that is not a Dream Theater clone. The music is very melodic with no speedy guitar riffs and is very diverse with many passages of melodic rock.

The Lie And The Liar is a bit in the style of Queensrÿche with atmospheric music in a steady pace, beautiful clear guitar and keyboard solos with the last part of the song being a great big bombastic instrumental piece. Why Don't You Go Away is a ballad with a chorus that is slow and pounding, but despite the fact that it does not alter much, and keeps the same steady pace all the way, is interesting from start to finish. The guitar solo by Speedy Saarinen is again very good.

Sons Of Madness is from a different category, it is highly accessible and provides instant happiness. Normally these songs do not appeal to me but I really like this one, some nice moog/ guitar interplay towards the end. A piano intro for The Lament Of Ghosts which is another epic song and is sculptured very nicely. It sounds more dramatic and this time I somehow begun to think an early -70's Alice Cooper material. The solos are chaotic but fittting the song, Ageness is a band that is not repeating themselves song to song, each one is different. The final part of the song is bombastic and even more dramatic - I love the way the song is built. Liar's Lair is the final track and it reminds me of the final tracks Arena used to play off The Visitor and Immortal?. The song strolls on and on - I love these kinds of endings, which after some bombastic and progressive music is nice to end on a gentle mood. After the last song, there is quiet some time before an encore starts. A bit more powerful than the rest of the album but nothing fancy. I do not think many people will wait five minutes for this - please do not do this again.

So after ten years Ageness is back with a strong album which is progressive rock that sometimes touches prog metal and is very melodic. The sound of Ageness is very clear and perfect, perhaps sometimes it sounds a bit too smooth, however, the main thing about Songs From The Liar's Lair is that it took many spins in my CD-player and it just would not leave. I really enjoy listening to this album. Let's hope we do not have to wait another ten years.

After 1998's Imageness album Ageness went through some changes in their lineup, but you can still recognise their style. Even though today's sound is more modern and mature than before, but is still like a heavier version of Genesis. Tommy Eriksson's voice has never sounded better and is pleasant to listen to. I think that the development of his voice alone will get more people interested.

The new guitarman Speedy Saarinen, I must say that I was positively surprised about him, just listen to the songs Martial Arts and The Laments of Ghost. The guitar sound is very present in these songs, and contributes a lot to the more modern sound.

For many people, the album "Songs From The Liar's Lair" will be the first time they get to know Ageness, but I'm sure it wil lead to a long-lasting friendship for a lot of people.

This Finnish group has been slagged for being a just another Genesis-clone (and there are many, so many of those), but I don't share that opinion at all. Mainly those statements are fed by envy for these clever musicians and their wit to use the good elements to create something new and original out of an influence. Their latest effort "Songs From The Liar's Lair" is an album that moves closer to the Flower Kings, but it makes the mixture of prog and hard rock an exciting thing. Since the boys have placed themselves between two stools, the album is the most diverse music taste good friends. So, I can safely recommend this album anyway.

Long, long ago, and it was late 90s, a friend of mine handed me three hit albums by Ageness. Both at the earliest "Slowing Paces" (1992), as well as the "Rituals" (1995) and "Imageness By Ageness" (1998) struck me with many genesislike references. I'm not saying that those discs (particularly "Imageness") have been able to please, but until recently, lasting more than 10-year silence in the camp of the Finnish group, I was told to believe that this promising band had broken up. So I must admit that I was very happy, when one day I found out that Ageness has released a new album entitled "Songs From The Liar's Lair". . I must admit also that I had high expectations on this disc and instantly when I heard the first sounds, I knew that this is no ordinary record. This is a very good record. Especially when the values are sound, atmosphere and style of progressive rock. It has been over 10 years, and Tommy Eriksson (v, k, g) and the company still hołds the same climates as ever. What's more, it seems to me that such a long time that has passed since the release of the previous album the band spent composing and recording the latest pieces of new compositions. Each of them, and they are the 'Songs From The Liar's Lair "six (plus a 70-second intro), has been refined in every detail. Each of them has an extensive instrumental section where the guitars intersect with mellotron, moog and piano. Each is based on a rate of 7 / 8, and each is built on the broken rhythms immersed in the rich arrangements. In each of these pace and moods change like a kaleidoscope, each makes a lot of fun already at the first hearing. It is difficult indeed to praise this album. Especially when you are - I repeat it ad infinitum - a Genesis-fan. For some they are condemned to the label 'secondary followers. But for me, with the music of Ageness this is not the case. Even when such works as "Sons Of Madness', treated as almost every bar, every solonote you hear the spirit of Genesis. I do not mind it. Because the group Ageness play it so well that it's ridiculous to try call it a clone, or a mindless follower. They play in their own way and very good indeed. And the spirit of Genesis, if inadvertently, is watching over, like hovering in the air. "The Story Continues" - Tommy Eriksson sings in the finale of the probably the most beautiful compositions on the album "The Lament Of the Ghosts". It's true. Very well that the adventure continues. Ageness the group continues its history of giving us another CD. Disc, from which they can be proud of, and we, the audience sympathetic with them in every corner of the prog rock world, we experience it through a multitude of nice moments. It is good that members of Ageness after such a long break are back in the game and made so curious and interesting-looking disc. It remains only to express the hope that their next work does not make us wait (over) the next 10 years. Well, except that the spill was as polished and thought out in every respect as the album "Songs From The Liar's Lair". Then we'll wait. Sit comfortably in your armchair; give you this CD and let yourself drift in to the world of magical music. Listen carefully to every single sound, every single note and phrase. From the opening instrumental record intro sounding pompously up to the ballad "Lair's Lair" placed at the end of the disc. And when the end of it fades out, don't be fooled. After several seconds of silence on this disc is a "hidden track". Equally beautiful, equally surprising, as fascinating as the rest of the program material incorporated in this truly unique album. Wait until the very end. It was worth the wait so many years...

"Ageness" never scored quite high in my hierarchy. Average neo music with little soul or flavour. Maybe that this was the reason for the very hiatus between their last two albums (some eleven years!).

To be honest (which I always want to be) this album is rather OK and on par with their last to date ("Imageness"). Of course, one shouldn't expect any masterpieces but a song as "Martial Arts" holds sufficient fine elements to fill the prog heart with good feeling. A highlight.

Pure neo is the next "Lie And The Liar". A good composition quite related to "IQ" IMHHO. Harmony, great electric guitar, powerful vocals and a rather bombastic approach are the elements which raised this song as one of the best of the whole (if not the best). Actually, this album is probably their best one so far.

But I'm quite astonished to see all these high ratings here. The music is not bad but quite cliché after all. Nothing is invented here ("Why Don't You Go Away" - a quite good phrase after all?) and I can't really be laudatory about the weak and syrupy "Sons Of Madness" which is just the type of "press next" song. Dull and predictable.

"The Lament Of Ghosts" is also quite well achieved (if you would exclude the vocal parts). Some fine mellotron sections, good guitar and globally above average song writing (from "Ageness" I mean).

The closing "Liar's Lair" is a crafted song which starts as a ballad but is travelling crescendo and offers a rather positive music. Needless to say that it is very much a "Genesis" oriented track (like most of their work). But weak vocals are again spreading over. Are there any need to emulate Peter if you're only a pale clone?

It is bizarre that in the early seventies, very few singers thought of faking his great vocal range?

In all, this album is far from being a masterpiece IMHHO. Three stars sounds more logical after a few listenings.

I'm surprised to see this latest by Ageness coming by so often in the review section. Pleasantly surprised I might say because I'm a bit of a fan of this band for over a year now but most of the people who review Songs in a Liar's Lair haven't given their earlier albums any attention as far as I can see, at least not by posting a review. And I can tell them, they are worthwhile checking out as well, especially the predecessor Imageness.

Ageness plays neo prog of the most accessible sort I once again notice when hearing this latest release. The songs are very easy to digest and still it's true (neo) prog proven by lengthy songs that are yet way more complex than an average pop song. It's also a bit modern sounding with pretty rough guitar passages (as we know modern neo is heavier than the older style) and shorter more vocally oriented compositions.

This is in a nutshell what Songs in a Liar's Lair is about and by stating abovementioned I don't need to review it song by song anymore. The level of the songs is pretty consistent and quite high without becoming outstanding at any point. I like this album a lot but I don't think it's better than Imageness. The main difference is the top level of that album (Metamorphosis and Sequels) which was higher than the best songs on this album. Imageness was a full four stars to me whilst this is in the end more of a 3,75 case. Still 4 in the end although I would adjust the PA phrase about a four starrating to: Excellent (better: "very nice" in this case) addition to any neo prog collection

It's taken them 11 years, but finally the followers of this Finnish band are treated to a new album by this experienced outfit. And it's a pretty good album as well, and contains some of the most stunning tracks I've heard this year as well as some of the best tunes played by a Neo-Prog outfit ever. Perhaps not -the- best, but most certainly among them.

There are a few items on the tracklist of less worth though. Opening atmospheric piece Entering is really just the introduction to following track Martial Arts, and shouldn't have been given a function as a standalone feature. As an individual track it basically doesn't work very well. Sons of Madness represents the more cliched tributes to vintage Marillion's softer antics, while the final cut Liar's Lair (disregarding the hidden bonus track at the end) is a much better but less than perfect example of the same.

The rest of the tracks are stunning affairs though. Marginally keeping within the boundaries of vintage Neo-Prog and bordering on metal at times, these are strong compositions. Many segments are guitar-driven with synths and keyboard layers supplying minor details only, but also richly textured keyboards in strong interplay with wandering guitar patterns or riffs in various guises. The compositions tends to be sophisticated in construction, the moods and atmospheres strong and distinct - often with a slightly dark and brooding presence. And while the vocals might be typical of the genre, akin to Peter Gabriel, the vocalist utilize his somewhat limited range and expression to perfection throughout - adding more depth and emotion to these ventures than one might think possible without having a name like Gabriel or Fish.

And while the music as such might not be described as original or innovative, lots of subtle and many not so subtle details provides earcandy for fans of the genre and probably beyond as well. With a few unpredictable developments as an added bonus, the overall conclusion for me is that this is a stunning album, where a few select efforts of the more lacklustre variety are the only reasons for this album not hitting my top charts of 2009. Still, this is a highly recommended production nontheless - the strong tracks here are pretty brilliant after all as far as I'm concerned.

Ageness is in 1991 founded Finnish group. Their first album "Showing Paces" was released in 1992, followed by "Rituals" in 1995. That resulted in taking part in festivals prog of reputation. Finnish television was also interested in them. The group started to be exported worldwide with their third album "Imageness". Its singer and clavierist is called Tommy Eriksson. He's not unknown in the progressive world, as he's been taking a part in several projects of the Colossus magazine. For this new opus, the guitarist Speedy Saarinen joined. Their influences are unquestionably drawn from the seventies. "Martials Arts" reveals powerful percussions that a certain Peter Gabriel would not have disavowed. Perhaps the power of the music takes its sources in the 70's, but they have the energy of Marillion at the time of "Fugazi". This energy has a also little Rush in the veins. The expressive voice with wish of Eriksson gives the soul to the group. A great softness introduces "The Lie And The Liar" with the acoustic guitar. It is light, arrangements give an impression of examination, but they very neat and are finally excavated. The more the piece advances, the more one feels in a rock opera, captivated by the melodies. "Why Don' T You Go Away" takes the colors of Fish. The expressivity of the singer does not have nothing to do there. Arrangements sumptuous and are engraved. "Sons Of Madness" plunges us in the mood of post-Gabriel Genesis. The beginning of "The Lament Off Ghosts" is mysterious like the complaints of the phantoms. The alternation of environments tightens the atmosphere. The song "Liar's Lair" starts with a little piano accompanying the wonderful singing melody. Other voices come sometimes to support it. The keyboards then coats the whole for a quite beautiful rise to power. The rest of the song follows the traces of Pink Floyd. This new Ageness is a very good album which takes it's sources in the seventies by including more modern elements. One appreciates also the beautiful small pocket resembling the cut of an eye. The fans of progressive rock must listen to this opus, and they will undoubtedly not regret it.

This album, for me, occupies a grey area. I'm not completely sold on the concept, and yet there were parts that I thought were pretty impressive. On a scale of 1-5 it gets about a 2 1/2 to 3. Most impressive component here is the guitarist. Speedy Saarinen can flat out play, and shows it with not near enough frequency. I really don't pick up any strong influence from any other band.......there were moments when I thought I detected a similarity to someone, but it was fleeting. Not a whole lot of highlights, save for the aforementioned guitarist. There were only 2 songs on the album that really grabbed me (Why Don't You Go Away & Sons Of Madness) with the latter being the better of the two. It's kind of hard to recommend this album based on my first and only spin. So many reviewers find that multiple spins of a disc can soften their original impression but I generally rely on my base instincts. I'm not sure repeated listenings would make that much difference here...........with such a glut of progressive offerings from Europe, save your money and continue researching your choices before you commit your hard earned dollars............there's so many fine releases out there, patience rewards the well informed!............:)

My first experiences of this Finnish group were from the local concert stages, maybe being some Colossus prog music association event, and once I recall them warming up Anekdoten at Stoa. I had listened their earlier records, but didn't like either their aesthetic approach nor humoristic touch - how evere honest that might be. But on this disc, the music's ability to touch my emothions to some extent was the biggest merit for me on whole record. The singer, whose vocal style I do not completelly adore, manages to find very convincing balance in his fine quality perform. The compositions are done in professional manner, even with so sincere piety that more marginal pop-style search motives slip in my mind, but I won't suggest I'm correct. A very fine, international neo-classic prog easy listening album, worth recommebdable for taking a test listen.

As witnessed on the new international anthology Decameron Pt. III (that I reviewed yesterday), the neo prog band Ageness still exists. The group was the central Finnish prog revivalist in the 90's, but Imageness (1998) remained their latest album for over a decade. The frontman Tommy Eriksson told Colossus prog magazine in 2009 that practicing sessions were little by little replaced by booze-filled, loose meetings. They never stopped gigging for good but the activity was notably on a lower level in the beginning of this Millennium.

The initial recordings of the comeback album featured also Matti Kervinen (Pax Romana, Kataya, etc... plus a producer and a record company man) who had distributed Ageness albums in Finland. A guitarist and an organist had departed. Guitarist Speedy Saarinen had guested on Rituals (1995), now he completed the new quartet line-up and also took care of mixing the new album. Compared to earlier stuff, Songs from the Liar's Lair feels somehow more mature. Perhaps it demands more time to sink on the listener, and the highlights don't stick out as instantly as before , also because this is more even in quality. -- Hey, wait a minute, the final track ended long ago but the CD keeps spinning... A hidden track, what else. I can't say I'd enjoy this habit a lot (the worst case must be on Marillion's This Strange Engine) and I bet I won't care to wait for this one, an energetic rocker, on later listenings.

The relatively quiet and brief opening instrumental suddenly bursts into powerful, almost attacking 'Martial Arts'. It's the longest track at nearly ten minutes but not among my favourites. The title song -- by the way lyrics mention the X-File agents Mulder and Scully -- is pretty gorgeous with several [neo] prog hallmarks, wide dynamics, solo parts and, most of all, lots of emotion. These elements are present throughout the album. The production (by the band) is very good if slightly on the dark end of the spectre, and and there are no weak tracks. Recommended if your'e into bands such as PENDRAGON and IQ, even if the early Ageness have disappointed you with Genesis-imitations and the nasal vocals of Eriksson, which aren't as nasal any more.

"FROM START TO FINNISH : PART ONE"

This Finnish four piece band was founded in the early Nineties, in 1992 Ageness released their debut CD Showing Paces, followed by Rituals in 1995 and Imageness in 1998. Then it became very silent until 2009 when Ageness released their fourth album entitled Songs From The Liar's Liar. The band featured three original members: Tommy Eriksson (vocals, keyboards and guitars), Kari Saaristo (drums and percussion) and Jari Ukkonen (bass guitar), along Speedy Saarinen (guitars and vocals) and guest musicians Matti Kervinen (from other Finnish bands Kataya and the interesting Pax Romana) on keyboards and backing vocals and Jukka Kulju on the distinctive Hammond organ (in the track Liar's Liar).

To me this strong fifth album sounds as a kind of 'Art-rock-opera' with a lot of variety, good musical ideas, an excellent rhythm-section, lots of harder-edged guitar work, wonderful keyboard play (including an important role for the Mighty Tron) and, last but not least, inspired vocals with a slightly theatrical undertone at some moments. The climates range from mellow with twanging guitar, warm vocals and tender piano or a sound collage to a tight up-tempo rhythm with fiery guitar and propulsive drums or bombastic with emotional vocals and lush keyboards.

My highlight is the long final composition Liar's Liar: it starts dreamy with beautiful piano and vocals, followed by a compelling atmosphere and then, there is a few minutes silence minutes, concluded with a splendid final section featuring a heavy and bombastic climate with intense Mellotron violins, biting guitar, thunderous drums and powerful vocals, very exciting!

This final Ageness album is their best effort and interesting for fans of symphonic rock, neo-prog and Seventies Art- rock (elements of Bowie and Queen).

My rating: 3,5 star.