MIKROMIDAS

This is a typical example of retro-sounding Scandinavian Prog,mixing elements from Psychedelic Rock and Heavy Prog with some orchestrated symphonic flavor thrown in.Many bands from in and out of Norway come to mind like KERRS PINK, LANDBERK, RADIOMOBEL, HOST, BLACK BONZO and KVAZAR.Very much guitar-driven,the album is characterized by the energy of the lead guitars,often with a definite Scandinavian taste,the strong vocal work and the heavy use of analog keys,mainly organ and mellotron.There are some good breaks throughout,filled with intense guitar solos,and a couple of superb mellotron waves.Vocals are listenable,without being outstanding,sung in Norwegian all the way.Not much of an adventure in here, ''Brennende Drommer'' is rather an accesible album with an Art Rock attitude,based more on its energy and vintage atmosphere than on technique or complexity.

This is far from being a surprising listening,but these guys came up with an interesting reincarnation of the old years.For fans of Scandinavian Prog and old-fashioned Heavy Rock,the album comes strongly recommended.

That's for the background. In terms of music, this sounds at times as a heavy ELP like during the opener "Den Dagen Jeg Forsvant". Loads of pompous keys and unfortunately weak vocals.

As usual, this Nordic band is playing some good chunk of mellotron lines which are of course extremely pleasant to my old ears. But these ones sound as déjà vu some tens of times. Not unpleasant though ("Sjærlernes Evige Bæren") even if a bit heavy at times.

Some more melody can be heard through "Trollman", but these keys definitely sound borrowed. Again, nothing wrong in here, just that there is nothing original to discover while listening to this "Faunus".

Most of this album sounds as a pastiche of the old days of the Scandinavian scene (and beyond).

Decent music, good musicians, little originality. Nothing more to write about it. Three stars (rounded up really) for a third tier.

While being referenced in the symphonic genre, they are sounding more to the neo-prog music as far as I'm concerned. Vocals are average, low pitched and quite uniform. Passion is next door.

These guys are from the Scandinavian scene, and obviously they have learned some of the best angles of it. When I talk about the best angles of this great musical initiative, I mean the superb mellotron which is available here and there ("Nostradamus") on this album.

You might know that I am deeply addicted to this instrument (as dear old Erik). But some fine of these notes aren't sufficient to make a great album. The music is overall pleasant, but innovations are alien. I could have coped with this feeling with an album released in the early seventies, but hey! This one saw the light in 2001.

At times, the good guitar work sounds like some "Dire Straits" one at times. All in all, if you except some fine mellotron lines and deep keyboards parts ("Middelveis"), there is hardly anything great to remember from this album.

Good musicians, fine melodies, gorgeous mellotron ("Jublende Rekker"), heavy prog angles ("Døende Stein"), decent (but no more) song writing is what you can except from this album. A good exercise after all. Three stars.

The music on this album is easy listening symphonic prog with tonnes of keyboards and moog. The music is as stated above, not particular complicated or heavy like ELP or Yes. The music is great. I have problem with the vocals though. They are a mix of emotional- overkill and limited vocal range. But that again; it probably suits this music. The music is comperable with Anglagard, but not as good as their's. I also detect a lot of influenses from Host here too. The songs are OK, but nothing more. It is a non offensive album and a nice addition to anyone's collection of Norwegian prog rock. That's all it is.

3 stars

"Den Dagen Jeg Forsvant" opens with acoustic guitar, but that's quickly replaced by a full sound. The guitar is prominant 2 minutes in. Vocal melodies 2 1/2 minutes in followed by vocals. Organ and drums lead the way 4 minutes in.This middle part of the song is some of the best music on the record. "Virveldans" opens with organ leading the way with vocals joining in quickly. I really like the sound of the organ on this laid back tune.The guitar becomes prominant before 4 minutes. "Sjaelernes Evige Baeven" is led by vocals and organ. It's ok. "Trollmann" is another one that seems uninspired to me, even with the mellotron. It gets better 4 minutes in, and I like the laid back guitar solo 5 minutes in.

"Sultekunstneren" opens with a piano/drum melody. Mellotron before a minute.Vocals follow and strummed guitar. Organ then takes the lead. Mellotron before 7 1/2 minutes. Swirling organ and marching-like drums end it. "Den Gjengrodde Sti" is a short mellotron / piano instrumental. "Englisangen" opens with acoustic guitar as mellotron joins in followed by a full sound then vocals. "Fomle Rundt" is a little more aggressive and heavier. I like the final minute as guitar plays over top of mellotron and drums. "Krigsmann" is pastoral to open as reserved vocals come in. It's building. It calms right down as contrast continues. Nice guitar 3 1/2 minutes in. Mellotron 5 minutes in.

I'm so surprised that this one didn't impress me like the debut did. I think i'm in the minority with this opinion though.

"Incognito City" opens with a grinding guitar melody that is joined by the drums, organ then vocals. The organ before a minute is excellent. The vocals are quite passionate and the drums prominant. It's the guitar that I like on this one the best though. "Dvergenes Palass" opens with mellotron and vocals. It sounds great when the tempo picks up. The guitar and organ shine. The drumming is very upfront as usual. "Nostradamus" is for me the highlight of this record, an almost 10 minute ride. The mellotron is so strong to open. Gale force. The organ is wondrous as well. Drums and guitar join in but the mellotron and organ are breathtaking. Vocals 2 minutes in as the mellotron comes and goes throughout. A darker, heavier sound 4 1/2 minutes in as he almost yells the lyrics. It settles down 6 minutes in with some nice guitar. More majestic mellotron and then some tasteful guitar 9 minutes in.

"Pilegrim" is simply a feel good, mid-paced tune with lots of mellotron. The vocals, guitar and drums are prominant throughout. Very special music this is. "Jublende Rekker" is awesome to open with the mellotron floods with drums and guitar. Vocals a minute in that remind me of SINKADUS along with the overall sound. Organ 1 1/2 minutes in. A storm of mellotron before 4 minutes. Incredible sound 5 minutes in of mellotron, organ and drums. "Middelveis" opens with organ as the sound builds. Vocal melodies a minute in with vocals to follow. Mellotron floods after 2 minutes as tempo slows down. The tempo does pick back up with organ leading the way as themes are repeated. "Berg Og Dvale" is led by the organ and drums. Check out the guitar after 3 1/2 minutes as waves of mellotron blow through. "Doende Stein" opens with mellotron before we get some sinister sounding organ a minute in. Lots of mellotron in this one. Vocals are quite powerful at times. "I Taketimen" opens with mellotron and acoustic guitar as reserved vocals join in. Drums and a fuller sound follow. The organ and guitar before 3 minutes are fantastic. Mellotron to end it. What else ?

Highly recommended mellotron drenched music from the north.