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KARMAKANIC

Symphonic Prog • Sweden


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Karmakanic picture
Karmakanic biography
Founded in Malmö, Sweden in 2002

THE FLOWER KINGS family, one of the wonders of the world. It seems that nearly every member has his own solo project. But not only solo projects, their members have enough power to take part in projects like THE TANGENT or innumerable other projects. Countless as well are their guest apperances.

KARMAKANIC is a kind of solo project from Sweden's finest bass player Jonas REINGOLD. But how could it be any different (anyway we are talking about the FLOWER KINGS), many of his band mates are featured in this project, it seems as if they can't live without each other. KARMAKANIC is one of the better side projects and released two albums so far, "Entering the Spectra" and "Wheel of Life". The difference between these two albums is Roine Stolt's influence. The first one sounds like the FLOWER KINGS with exception of some bass dominated parts. You will get Roine Stolt on vocals and guitar. Unlike "Entering the Spectra" Roine plays a very small role on the new album "Wheel of Life". It sounds more independent and disengages a little from the typical FLOWER KINGS sound, maybe because Roine just plays some guitar parts and Krister Jonzon took over the main guitar work. What both albums have in common is the dominating bass, not really astonishing because we are talking about a project that is led by Jonas Reingold.

So if you like the FLOWER KINGS you will love KARMAKANIC, but will also like them if you never heard of the Kings. I recommend to start with the second album "Wheel of Life" because it has not so many similarities to their main project like the first release.

: : : Martin Dietrich, GERMANY : : :

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KARMAKANIC discography


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KARMAKANIC top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.61 | 180 ratings
Entering the Spectra
2002
3.74 | 209 ratings
Wheel of Life
2004
4.06 | 507 ratings
Who's the Boss in the Factory?
2008
3.62 | 216 ratings
In a Perfect World
2011
3.94 | 274 ratings
Dot
2016

KARMAKANIC Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.73 | 55 ratings
Karmakanic & The Agents of Mercy - The Power of Two
2010
4.24 | 32 ratings
Live in the US
2014

KARMAKANIC Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

KARMAKANIC Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

KARMAKANIC Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

KARMAKANIC Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Dot by KARMAKANIC album cover Studio Album, 2016
3.94 | 274 ratings

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Dot
Karmakanic Symphonic Prog

Review by ComaEcliptic

5 stars Symphonic Prog with a new Jazz Fusion twist, thats the kind of prog I like! Karmakanic, the Tomas and Roine project that continued with the remainder of the supergroup's member. So what does the latest addition of this incredible (now former) supergroup offer on this fifty minute album? One interlude, one Suppers Ready length epic, one 10 minute long piece and 3 five minute long tracks. This album shows some of both Nils Erikson and Lalle Larsson's best keyboard work, some incredible production, and some really well written tracks. Does this album have everything a modern symphonic prog album has to offer?

Dot, One minute of weird sounds, cool atmosphere, a quirky way to open an album. 5/5

God, the Universe and Everything Else No One Really Cares About: Part 1, The masterful epic found on DOT. Excellent vocal work, loads of solos, great transition pieces from slow, too fast work, too jazz fusion, and finally to symphonic prog to the likes of Foxtrot. With the additional personnel found on this album add more texture to all the songs in a positive way, including this very epic. So what do I think? Its packed with amazing songwriting, great sound structure, big production, and of course intense playing. I have absolutely no problem with this epic in the slightest, it is extremely well written, and with careful and excellent production. 20/20

Higher Ground, a very Spocks Beard-esc track with a symphonic test. Is this as good as the 24 minute epic leading off this track? No but its definitely worth listening to, just a fun 10 minute track with a Spocks Beard like twist with the, of course, symphonic progressive sound. 8/10

Steer by the Stars, another Beatles track with the symphonic twist, less prog but more psychedelia. A very good track, catchy and soft, well written yet again. 4.5/5

Traveling Minds, this tracks sounds like something that came right out of The Rainmaker by The Flower Kings. Still great but feels like this is song was just written without any new identity. 4/5

God, the Universe and Everything Else No One Really Cares About: Part 2, the second part of the great masterpiece of an epic, the second piece of the puzzle, this end of this wonderful album. I feel this song closes both the epic and album perfectly. 5/5

Total Grade: 46.5/50 Percentage: 93%

Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music.

 In a Perfect World by KARMAKANIC album cover Studio Album, 2011
3.62 | 216 ratings

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In a Perfect World
Karmakanic Symphonic Prog

Review by Jundrix

3 stars Karmakanic is a great prog band and after hearing Who's The Boss In The Factory, I anticipated much. The good thing is, that with In A Perfect World the band went on to explore new grounds and and didn't try to recreate what had been done by them before. This album has its heavy parts and dissonances, which may please some of the listeners, but the best tracks are the first three. 1969 is an excellent opener, great prog 'epic' with modern and tasty arrangements. The main melody of Where Earth Meets The Sky, one of Karmakanic's best songs (from the album Wheel of Life), finds another usage here. I am not exactly sure, if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Maybe there is some deeper connection between these epic tracks. Turn It Up is a really good uplifting song, very colorful. Well written, well played, well sung and produced with care. The World Is Caving In is another stunning track with memorable melodies. I love the almost silent beginning, which makes the listener want to pay attention to every single breath of the singer. As the piano and other instruments join the party the song builds up quite impressively. If the following songs maintained the quality of these three, my rating would be higher, I guess. However, as I said before, band takes its time to explore new grounds and there is a noticeable twist after the third track.

The result is a great, colorful album, which shows what the band is capable of. Sadly, I must admit that many times I play only the begging of the album, instead of listening to this release as a whole, which is something you typically do with progressive music. But if the mood is right, I enjoy all of it. I certainly recommend this album to those who love the unique sound of Karmakanic.

 Who's the Boss in the Factory? by KARMAKANIC album cover Studio Album, 2008
4.06 | 507 ratings

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Who's the Boss in the Factory?
Karmakanic Symphonic Prog

Review by ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Here is another review that I wrote a long time ago without posting...

Symphonic lovers, you should be aware of this album. Superb vocal harmonies, gorgeous melodies, and skilled guitar parts. What else? I don't know, but you get them all during the very good opening number and epic: "Send A Message From The Heart" that almost peaks at twenty minutes. THE highlight here.

Huge influences from some of the major bands who are the soul and spirit of this site are of course abundant: "Yes" by default (but that's nothing new under the TFK umbrella). The guitar work is excellent and this epic is definitely worth a listen.

It is an excellent start by all means. Do I need to add that some keys parts are solidly being built? In all: a very good prog epic, my friends. The only problem is that to keep the same quality level throughout the whole album will be difficult.

There are no weak songs to be featured on this album. Even if the title song leans more on the heavy metal tones (some might say prog metal, but I have always been alien to this concept), but some jazzy parts might poor some delights to your prog ears. A nice attempt should I say?

Needless to say that not all of the songs featured on this album are on par. "Two Blocks From The Edge" is too technical and loose to be able to convince me. But it's almost normal to have some weaker numbers out here? Right!

The whole is flamboyant, crafted and mostly elegant. Still, a too jazzy angle prevents me to score it higher than three stars. But the closing and truly symphonic "Eternally" is really great. What an emotional guitar break!

It is a good album indeed. With several very good songs.

Three stars.

 Who's the Boss in the Factory? by KARMAKANIC album cover Studio Album, 2008
4.06 | 507 ratings

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Who's the Boss in the Factory?
Karmakanic Symphonic Prog

Review by TenYearsAfter

4 stars 'Variety and musical ideas rule!'

I had never heard of Karmakanic, the solo project by The Flower Kings bass player Jonas Reingold, but that has to do with the fact that I am not really a TFK fan. Between 2002 and 2016 Jonas released five studio albums, this review is about his third CD entitled Who's The Boss In The Factory? (from 2008) that I consider as his best effort. He has invited fellow The Flower Kings members Tomas Bodin and Roine Stolt.

The long first composition Send A Message From The Heart (almost 20 minutes) delivers very dynamic and alternating (from mellow and slow rhythms to swinging and bombastic) modern sounding progressive rock. It contains splendid keyboard work: from majestic choir-Mellotron and powerful Hammond organ to sparkling Grand piano, and a mindblowing Minimoog synthesizer solo with pitchbend in the vein of Jan Hammer in his best days, awesome! The guitar work is also a strong element, from a jazzy solo to Gilmourian runs and a fiery solo supported by lush Hammond organ, what a start!

The other five compositions also succeed to generate a lot of excitement, due to the huge variety and many captivating musical ideas.

Swinging acoustic guitar, fat R&R inspired guitar and a spectacular synthesizer solo in the fluent Let In Hollywood.

Wonderful interplay between fretless bass and Grand piano, again a fantastic vintage keyboard sound (from another flashy Minimoog solo to lush Hammond and Mellotron) to fiery wah-wah guitar and a compelling final part in the title track.

Tasteful keyboards, guitar and saxophone in the pleasant Two Blocks From The Edge.

Very beautiful Grand piano in the short piece Eternally Part I.

And again beautiful interplay between Grand piano and fretless bass along intense accordion work (evoking the Argentine tango masters), the Malm' String Ensemble and a compelling grand finale with emotional vocals in the melancholical final song Eternally Part II.

What a great effort, so varied and dynamic and what a crafty musicians, highly recommended, also after 10 years!

 Dot by KARMAKANIC album cover Studio Album, 2016
3.94 | 274 ratings

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Dot
Karmakanic Symphonic Prog

Review by memowakeman
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars Review originally published in www.therocktologist.com

A nice album!

After six years, Karmakanic returned with a new album in which mastermind Jonas Reingold recruited several talented musicians who put their grain of sand in a six-track record whose sound has the evident symphonic flavor, but that also adds some heavy passages, space atmospheres and even jazzy nuances. The album features 6 tracks, 4 of them are short, one a bit long and the other quite long but amazing.

It starts with "Dot", which is just a one-minute introduction with some computer-spacey sounds that lead to "God The Universe And Everything Else No One Really Cares About Part. 1" which is a magnificent 24-minute epic that let us know how challenging Reingold and co. are regarding composition and performance. The song is wonderful, with different passages and changes in mood and tempo. In some moments it can be smooth, in others explosive and deep, with even some lyrics that are easy to remember and sing. The use of piano and keyboards is prominent, as you can imagine, it produces that symphonic prog sound that Karmakanic uses to share. The bass lines are as usual wonderful, guitars can be soft and delicate, wonderfully accompanied by a flute that appears here and there. The song flows, there are not forced passages, in fact, every minute sounds so pure and has different things to add, so it is a rich track with delicious acoustic guitars and even some nice female voices at half the song. The form it constantly morphs is exquisite, so the 24 minutes pass so fast no matter if you are listening to heavy or soft moments.

"Higher Ground" has a catchy start with nice vocals and a friendly soft sound that in moments becomes a bit heavier, but only for a brief moment because it returns to its soft form. Actually, it could be a nice kind of prog-ballad with those keyboards that produce its symphonic spirit. In the last part the song becomes much different, more experimental and with some heavy hints that make it better, in my opinion. "Steer by the Stars" has a true catchy sound that might take you to the rockin' 80's. The song is nice but to be honest seems to be weak in comparison to the rest of the album., but at the same time it could be a cool radio hit.

"Traveling Minds" starts again with a tender and soft sound that is being developed with the pass of the minutes. The nuances created by keyboards are great as well as the feeling of Goran Edman with his voice. The album finishes with "God The Universe And Everything Else No One Really Cares About Part. 2", which since the first seconds provides a feeling of nostalgia and goodbye. As I mentioned, it is a very nice album, but I must say that I felt it a bit uneven, I mean, the long epic is extraordinary but the rest of the tracks are just ok. But well, I am happy and eagerly aiming to see Karmakanic on stage next Progtoberfest at Chicago.

 Who's the Boss in the Factory? by KARMAKANIC album cover Studio Album, 2008
4.06 | 507 ratings

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Who's the Boss in the Factory?
Karmakanic Symphonic Prog

Review by FragileKings
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Though I knew of the band Karmakanic, I had never heard any music until I picked up this album over the summer. A friend had recommended this album after seeing a prog playlist of modern bands that I had made and posted in a prog group on Facebook. Without even given the band a listen, I ordered the album and, fortunately, to no regret. (Credit going to my friend who clearly understood my playlist!)

I knew nothing of the band as I listened to the first track, "Send a Message from the Heart" but it wasn't long before I concluded that there were very strong similarities to the Flower Kings. Of course, as it turns out, Jonas Reingold (bass, fretless bass, keyboards, production) also plays bass with the Flower Kings. Additionally, Flower King keyboard player Tomas Bodin appears on this album and Roine Stolt provides some guitar and mixing, too. Now it all makes sense! Very much a song in a Flower Kings' vein.

"Let in the Hollywood" might be the weak track for some because it is short and sounds like it was prepared for a hopeful radio single. It has an eighties pop melody accompanied by a more hard rock sound that, in the middle, gets heavier (my favourite part!). The funny thing is that even though this sounds like it could have been a radio single, the chorus sings, "I can't hear a single / This song in seven eight". By coincidence, I had recently watched a YouTube video explaining simple time signatures in popular music and the video mentioned that Pink Floyd's "Money" is in seven eight. So not only was I able to pick out the 7/8 time of the chorus but I also enjoyed the ironic statement claiming this song couldn't be a single in 7/8 even though "Money" was a huge single success!

My favourite track on the album has to be "Who's the Boss in the Factory?". It begins like a requiem and then changes heading towards a slightly upbeat sound before turning into a proper rock song that then gets a little heavy again before easing back. The instrumental part stretches out a bit with some piano and lead guitar.

"Two Blocks from the Edge" is different but still follows the same thread of blending pop melodies with progressive rock music. The solo piano of "Eternally Pt. 1" is really lovely and it demonstrates the classical piano talents of, I'm guessing, Mr. Lalle Larsson (three people receive keyboard credits but only Larsson is credited solely with keyboards).

The album is, as I said, very similar to a Flower Kings album but with some touches, such as the piano, that stand apart from FK. One should also note that the bass guitar is often easy to pick out and even gets some lead work. One part is clearly composed for piano and bass guitar. I do love the bass, so this album appeals to my bass fetish side very nicely. (My playlist also included a lot of songs that feature bass guitar prominently and my friend mentioned above is a bass player.) As a modern progressive rock album it plays very well with my personal preferences being for the three songs in the middle.

 Live in the US by KARMAKANIC album cover Live, 2014
4.24 | 32 ratings

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Live in the US
Karmakanic Symphonic Prog

Review by Rivertree
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Band Submissions

4 stars Aye, over there in Gettysburg, KARMAKANIC have sent a message from the heart indeed. Due to a quite appealing first impression, I already had this album on my checklist for a while ... and fortunately came back to it in time. Considered with enough care and concentration now, this one finally appears to be a flabbergasting affair. I'm thinking of the instrumental finesse first of all, the top-notch compositions, this paired with playfullness par excellence. And it is superb how they are blending different rock music styles with ease.

Recorded in 2012 during the Rites Of Spring Festival here we have a set of songs taken into account from their previously produced albums, except the debut however. 'Live In The US' is quasi embraced by the composition When The World Is Caving In, presented in two incarnations, the reprise initiated by a Genesis cover. Reprise and surprise. For example you will be faced with rather odd impressions on this album. Just take Do U Tango where they are freaking out a lot, a drum solo inclusively. Appears to be close to avant respectively zeuhl somehow, yes!

Partially there's a rather strong jazzy attitude to state. By way of example I want to emphasize Where Earth Meets The Sky, which makes my day especially. The song bears an intriguing instrumental part of about six minutes, decorated with a fine piano solo by Lalle Larsson and Krister Jonsson's soaring space guitar later on. Grandezza! I love this! Turn It Up is a MUST to sing along with, in the same way 1969 which shows reminiscences to Yes. When listening to Eternally sooner or later you'll know what dramaturgy in music means.

This is all directed by Jonas Reingold's bass, fretless for the most part, charming and virtuoso at once. Fans of bands like Syzygy, The Flower Kings, and surprisingly Karmakanic, are welcome here! Swedish prog rock live on stage in Gettysburg, a complex setting, rich on styles. They are leaving nothing to be desired. And this applies to Göran Edman's vocal presence as well. In German I would use the adjective 'Herrlich!'. An almost perfect performance - 4.5 stars!

 Dot by KARMAKANIC album cover Studio Album, 2016
3.94 | 274 ratings

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Dot
Karmakanic Symphonic Prog

Review by rdtprog
Special Collaborator Heavy, RPI, Symph, JR/F Canterbury Teams

4 stars This time, Jonas Reingold added plenty of musicians to help him make this album, a concept about the evolution of the universe. We are in the usual style of symphonic prog rock that doesn't shy away from the Jazz and the heavy prog which gives to the music both vintage and modern sound. It starts really in a big fashion with the epic "God The Universe and...." 24 minutes of pure symphonic prog going into different moods with crunchy guitars, delicate piano and that Jonas tasty fretless bass. The vocals are beautiful with a lot of vocalists contributing. "Higher ground" starts innocently but take a rather heavy twist in the middle to end peacefully with those vocals harmonies. "Steer By the Stars" is the most standard rock song of the album, nothing groundbreaking, a little breather nothing more. "Travelling Minds" starts with some piano and bass, a smooth intro that gets a little more intense for a short time in the Yes accessible style. The second part of God The Universe and..." brings back the more heavy stuff of the beginning of the album with that Flower Kings influence nothing surprising here. Not a perfect album, but enough good music to satisfy the Karmakanik fans. 4 stars
 Dot by KARMAKANIC album cover Studio Album, 2016
3.94 | 274 ratings

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Dot
Karmakanic Symphonic Prog

Review by Garlop

4 stars Well, I ve already have a 5 star review for "Whos the Boss" under my sleeve and considering Karmakanic is one of my favourite and first prog bands I ve heard, I have the obligation to write something about their last and incredible "Dot". "God The Universe And Everything Else No One Really Cares About" is a total masterpiece song, would only give 5 star to the album because of that suite but I feel I need to talk about the full 50 minute experience. Saying that "Whos the boss" is more of a perfect album from start to finish, in comparison to "Dot" that falls a bit under that line. It starts perfect, nothing bad to say about the first half of the album. The album starts to decline a bit with "Steer by the stars", sort of ballad a bit unecessary in my opinion. I know there should be a ballad altough we talking bout prog albums; But I feel that "Higher Ground" kind of fulfill that space in this case. I would rather "Travelling Minds" making it to a 9 or 10 minute mark song. And finally, the second and slower paced part of the long suite to close the album, which I admit is really difficult to mantain the intensity of such bold and deep statement from beginning to end. Somewhere between 4 and 5 stars feels legit for "Dot".
 Wheel of Life by KARMAKANIC album cover Studio Album, 2004
3.74 | 209 ratings

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Wheel of Life
Karmakanic Symphonic Prog

Review by apps79
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars ''Entering the spectra'' was warmly received by the prog press, but entering 2003 most Karmakanic members were involved in tours and other projects.The Flower Kings gained great success with ''Unfold the future'', while Reingold, Stolt and Csorsz became part of the The Tangent project of Andy Tillison.After several lives and recordings it was time for a fresh line-up to record Karmakanic's second album ''Wheel of life'', most part of which was recorded at Reingold Studios during the second half of 2003.Edman, Reingold and Csorsz welcome guitarist Krister Jonsson, while Stolt and Bodin appear only as guest musicians in some tracks, among other great figures such as Hasse Bruniusson or keyboardist Richard Anderson.The new album, released in 2004, was again a product of the Regaine label.

Despite the limited presence of Bodin and Stolt on this work, Karmakanic now sound like a bit heavier version of THE FLOWER KINGS with references to SPOCK'S BEARD in the vocal arrangements and acoustic lines, while a light Fusion flavor is evident in some of the instrumental themes.More deep into the album a BEARDFISH comparison would also seal the deal.The Hard Prog style of the debut is sacrified in the sake of more refined and elaborate compositions with lush orchestrations, sudden tempo changes and beautiful melodies.In a display of monumental creativity the band offers two long epics next to a bit shorter pieces, full of time signatures, multiple influences and incredible technical skills.A nice balance between vintage colors and contemporary sounds is kept throughout the album, with newcomer Krister Jonsson showing often his tendency towards more virtuosic or jazzy stylings.The album is basically walking on the path of modern Symphonic Prog with fantastic dual keyboard themes, including Mellotron and organ, and thrilling, melodious textures, highlighted by some great vocal lines.However the styles constantly change, featuring also strong Pop vibes in the choruses and extremely technical Fusion in a dose of instrumental palettes.The amalgam works very well in a pleasant and enjoyable river filled with memorable sounds and intricate changes, covering a wide spectrum of moods.The tight connection between lighter themes, as these based on pianos, synths and acoustic guitars, and the more challenging creations, like the harder tunes or the dense interplays, offer constantly moments of pure music art for the listener.

Very mature work, based on the principles of legends like THE FLOWER KINGS or SPOCK'S BEARD.Diverse Progressive Rock with instant melodies and monster instrumental longruns.Highly recommended, one of the best albums of 2004.

Thanks to ProgLucky; Eric Walker for the artist addition. and to Quinino for the last updates

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