DISTANT MONSTERS

Try to pick up the spirit and create your own thing! Since they are active for more than two decades in the meanwhile, the MARTIGAN crew have the ability to make a lasting impression, at least when it comes to such a distant monster like this. The band is mainly, but not solely, underway in the neo prog tradition. Thus, from time to time you will detect hints pointing to the likes of IQ, Marillion, Saga, RPWL, Gate6. So much for a rough orientation music-wise. What matters in the end, no wonder, touches the quality of the compositions, and the characteristics the particular members are contributing.

Concerning the latter I'd like to mention Kai Markwordt first of all. His vocals are one of a kind really, very empathic, optimally integrated into the sound. Just starting with Theodor's Walls all the aforementioned attributes are blended here. I mean the unusual multi-variant song structure, rich guitar riffing in between, the quite simple but perfect piano loop which accompanies you over the course, and finally a singing voice which leaves me with no option but to be excited. This track appears to be outstanding, a real masterpiece!

The following songs are offering more diverse impressions, from a wonderfully relaxed and melodic appearance regarding Simplicius and TipToe to some extended instrumental parts to be found on The Lake or Fire On The Pier for example. Hell! It took some time to write my words, released in December last year the album ultimately obtained a place on my top twenty list for 2015 at least. Recommended, 'Distant Monsters' is an album of a high caliber. Don't miss that!

German band MARTIGAN has been an ongoing venture for more than 20 years, and following a few initial albums released in quick succession early on, they now come out with a new album in a five to six year long cycles. "Distant Monsters" is their fifth studio recording, and was released by Progressive Promotion Records towards the tail end of 2015.

Elegant, accessible and melodic neo-progressive rock comes across as the rock-solid foundation upon which Martigan crafts their compositions. With a foot and a half well inside early '80s neo-progressive rock, with some careful flavors and details borrowed from the sound many such bands explored in the '90s to boot, Martigan's latest production comes across as a truly delightful album for anyone with an interest in early neo-progressive rock, and perhaps especially those with a passionate interest for bands exploring similar landscapes to what the Fish-era Marillion did back in the day.

By the time of Martigan's fifth album in 2015 they had been releasing music for 20 years and given their incredibly solid neo-style of progressive rock one can certainly see where they had come from. If I had heard this back in the early Nineties, I would have said it fitted in incredibly well with the current scene, although these days the sub-genre is looked down upon and many bands have moved away. Kai Markwordt (lead & backing vocals, electric, Spanish & 12- string guitars), Björn Bisch (guitars, e-bow), Oliver Strahl (Rebhan) (keyboards, backing vocals), Mario Koch (bass, clarinet), and Alex Bisch (drums, percussion, backing vocals).

It took them six years to release this one, during which time there was only a slight change in personnel with a new bassist, and this was their final release, announcing their break-up in 2019 after 25 years together. That is a real shame, as this is a very enjoyable album, full of the styles I became so involved with 30 years ago in the underground. There are times when they are somewhat reminiscent of Citizen Cain, although not as overtly Genesis in nature, and I think that is probably down to the rich vocals of Markwordt who has a wonderful presence. The breadth and style, together with gruffness, is in direct contrast to the cleanliness of the arrangements which are both busy and simplistic. Take "Complicius" for example, we not only have a large number of drum rolls but hand percussion, a fretless bass taking melody, keyboards which can be both driving and supportive and a guitar which does the same, along with a perfectly formed solo.

Their Facebook page is still active, even though there have been no updates in a year, and it looks like this really was the end for Martigan, which based on this is a real shame as this is a thoroughly enjoyable album which all those into melodic Neo would certainly enjoy.