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LEAP DAY

Neo-Prog • Netherlands


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Leap Day picture
Leap Day biography
Founded in The Netherlands in 2008

Dutch outfit LEAP DAY was formed in 2008, but the events leading up to the band formation started a year earlier. Drummer Koen Roozen (Flamborough Head) had been looking for musicians with a desire to play symphonic rock to cooperate with, and in his search met keyboardist Derk Evert Waalkens (King Eider) who also were looking for like-minded musicians. Shortly after vocalist Jos Harteveld (Pink Floyd Project) joined this so far unnamed project. Koen and Derk then started discussing the possibilities of performing the King Eider material at Progfarm 2007. Guitarist Hans Gerritse (King Eider) liked this idea and hooked up for this project, along bassist Peter Stel (Nice Beaver). They needed another keyboard player for this gig though, and Gert van Engelenburg was asked to join.

Gerritse left after the Progfarm gig. The rest of the guys wanted to continue on though, and when guitarist Eddie Mulder (Trion, Pink Floyd Project, Flamborough Head) agreed to join, Leap Day was born.

A 3-track demo CD saw the light of day in October 2008; in November they signed for Polish label OSKAR, and their full length debut album is planned for release in the summer of 2009, named Awaking the Muse.

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LEAP DAY discography


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

3.97 | 122 ratings
Awaking the Muse
2009
3.62 | 92 ratings
Skylge's Lair
2011
3.82 | 69 ratings
From the Days of Deucalion - Chapter 1
2013
3.76 | 106 ratings
From the Days of Deucalion - Chapter 2
2015
3.85 | 27 ratings
Timelapse
2018
3.93 | 33 ratings
Treehouse
2021

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

3.51 | 9 ratings
Live at the Northern Prog Festival
2016

LEAP DAY Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

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

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

3.11 | 6 ratings
Leap Day Demo
2008
5.00 | 1 ratings
Half Man Half Machine
2012

LEAP DAY Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Treehouse by LEAP DAY album cover Studio Album, 2021
3.93 | 33 ratings

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Treehouse
Leap Day Neo-Prog

Review by Drmick1971

4 stars It has been a long time since the last Leap Day studio album. So we now have the new release which is called 'Treehouse'. Consisting of six songs and as usual, impressive artwork for the cover.

The first track being 'Like Icarus' is a remarkable way to begin the album. If I didn't like the rest of the album, I think this track alone is good enough reason to buy it. This opens with a very catchy tune with astonishing keyboard. It really does move along contradicting the tragic story of the song. Hans Kuypers vocals are fitting and can rise solidly when required. Eddie Mulder plays with subtlety and strength backed with feeling and passion.

The playing that intertwines between guitar and keyboards on all songs highlight on every song that truly lifts your spirit and listening experience. The guitar in Çlementine' for example is almost classical in tone and is a virtuoso performance.

The keyboards are played in every aspect, sounding like a group of trumpets (May 5th), symphonic or simple piano. This band sounds very tight. This album is eloquent, meaningful and touching. The arrangements are engaging, flowing and a wonderful journey from start to finish. The only problem I have is that it does finish.

From what I hear on this album, if it translates to the stage, then they have captured something special and would be a truly great experience live.

 Live at the Northern Prog Festival by LEAP DAY album cover Live, 2016
3.51 | 9 ratings

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Live at the Northern Prog Festival
Leap Day Neo-Prog

Review by Aussie-Byrd-Brother
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars Forming in 2008, hailing from the Netherlands and with connections to Trion and Flamborough Head, Neo prog band Leap Day have been putting out a steady stream of solid studio albums every few years, really stepping up with their two most recent efforts `From the Days of Deucalion: Chapter One' and `Two' that aimed big by adapting texts based on Immanuel Velikovsky's baffling alternative-history book `Worlds in Collision' from the Fifties. For the unconverted, Leap Day sounds like a mix of Pink Floyd, early Pendragon, Australian groups Unitopia and the United Progressive Fraternity, and perhaps a more obviously prog-focused Jadis, where strong tunes are always the priority over an abundance of instrumental trickery. So while fans wait for a third volume of the `Deucalion' series, the band have issued a cool little stop-gap disc entitled `Live at the Northern Prog Festival', taken from their November 2015 gig, and despite a few issues addressed later, it's a charming, professional and accomplished performance that is very easy to enjoy.

For the concert, the group offer a selection of seven pieces taken from all of their four studio works, and while all the musicians give superb and energetic performances, much prominence is given to Eddie Mulder's regal and fluid electric guitar soloing ringing out the grandest of symphonic majesty, and vocalist Jos Harteveld's raspy croon sounds even more charismatic in a live setting. Among the very faithful takes on the studio tracks, several highlights emerge - the electric guitar solo from Eddie at the climax of `Walls' instantly calls to mind Andy Latimar and Camel, the volume on the striking mood- setting spoken-word introduction to the punchy `The Messenger' has been amplified, and the keyboards on `Amathia' hum with endless quivering warmth (both Derk Evert Waalkens and Gert van Engelenburg are credited to keys here, so not sure which plays this bit, but the same restrained care is applied to the sublime synth outro of the above mentioned `Walls'). Symphonic gem `What Would You Do' could also really be a lost Pendragon piece, sharing similar sparkling Clive Nolan-esque synths and the same romantic optimism of the early era of that more well-known English band.

It has to be said that a live Bluray or DVD would be a much more exciting prospect, because Leap Day's live effort here as a mere CD release makes it hardly an essential pick-up. It's only a single vinyl length at 46 minutes (so we're not talking `Yessongs' here!), the cover with the mobile phone is forgettable and only reminds of the worst aspects of modern concerts (although the inside of the fold-out digipack case is colourful with some great photos of the band in action), but perhaps the biggest issue is that the band rarely divert from the structures of the studio versions - solos included. So while you get a very tight and faithful recreation of the recorded discs, a little more in the way of jamming or extended improvised soloing might have been more exciting.

But there's an integrity to Leap Day's music that is deeply admirable, the band playing a proudly retro-styled prog-rock that ticks all the right boxes that Neo and symphonic listeners would want to find, and it just serves to remind that the Dutch band deserves a much bigger audience than they currently enjoy. Newcomers to the group should look into the above-mentioned `Deucalion' studio discs first, but longtime and loyal followers should absolutely snap this up, as there's plenty of magic in hearing Leap Day's wonderful music performed in another environment, and those fans already know how subtly special their music is.

Three and a half stars, but Leap Day fans can make this a four.

 Live at the Northern Prog Festival by LEAP DAY album cover Live, 2016
3.51 | 9 ratings

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Live at the Northern Prog Festival
Leap Day Neo-Prog

Review by axolotl

4 stars Very pleasant live album of Dutch proggers Leap Day. It is recorded during the Northern Prog Festival festival in Holland. You can consider this one as some kind of 'the best of...' because they've taken songs from all their albums. It's a pity there's only one song on this live effort from their last album 'From the days of Deucalion, chapter 2', which is imho the best they've come up with this far. The music is very well played. It's always nice to know bands are not only very good in the studio but also on stage. They cover their studio sound very well on stage and I really like all seven tracks on this album. They are brought to you very closely resembling the original album versions. Well done guys! 8/10
 From the Days of Deucalion - Chapter 2 by LEAP DAY album cover Studio Album, 2015
3.76 | 106 ratings

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From the Days of Deucalion - Chapter 2
Leap Day Neo-Prog

Review by Aussie-Byrd-Brother
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars Dutch symphonic prog band Leap Day return with a second volume of their `From the Days of Deucalion' series, which began back in 2013 with `Chapter One', a gorgeous work full of deceptively strong song-writing and colourful instrumentation. The group have once again taken lyrical inspiration from Immanuel Velikovsky's baffling alternative-history book `Worlds in Collision' from 1950, a complex work that proposed that a series of natural catastrophes and cosmic disturbances, all mentioned across a range of early mythologies and religions, influenced the course of civilisation in historical times, before culminating in a new `Celestial order' that maintains to this day. That doesn't even begin to adequately explain the intricacy of the ideas of the book, but it gives the listener an idea of what Leap Day are working with here, and they present another superb symphonic work with thoughtful tunes and sumptuous instrumental passages that perfectly compliment the first volume, whilst also allowing this new one to stand on its own merits.

The short instrumental opener `Pseudo Science' teases some reprised themes from the first volume before roaring into dramatic keyboard-drenched bluster and driving guitar duelling, a nice taste of what's to come throughout the next sixty-three minutes. Vocalist Jos Harteveld instantly takes the lead on the first proper track `Amathia', his world-weary gravelly croon reminiscent of Peter Gabriel's raspiest moments, yet he never comes across as purposefully trying to emulate the Genesis singer. The piece has softly melancholic and contemplative verses that rises with majestic symphonic instrumental themes in place of a chorus, and Eddie Mulder's extended guitar solo is the first epic moment of the disc.

The entire band shines brightly on longer instrumental piece `Taurus Appearance', truly a showcase for all the musicians and the first truly standout moment of the album. In just over seven minutes, the band tear through enough symphonic themes worthy of a vinyl length side-long epic, the highlight being the improvisational skills of Peter Stel, who's fluid and upfront bass playing purrs warmly alongside the twin vintage keyboard assaults of Gert van Engelenburg and Derk Evert Waalkensage, delivering no shortage of dirty Hammond organ blasts and whirring Moog trills. Koen Roozen drums up a storm and controls the piece beautifully, guitars glide romantically one moment, grind with gutsiness the next and finally switch to Hackett-like chiming acoustic prettiness in the finale.

The final instrumental two minutes of `Phaeton' bristles with Mellotron veils and Moog spirals battling buoyant bass, the Eastern-tinged `Ya-Who' is a sophisticated ballad with a memorable inviting chorus, and `God of Wars' is a cool foot-tapping up-tempo playful rocker with an impossibly catchy chorus that will become stuck in your head for days (and the instrumental run in the middle is simply dazzling)! The ten minute `Deucalion' delivers spirited classic-era Genesis flavoured peppy Moog runs and some choice slow-burn bluesy and jazzy guitar licks in-between a beckoning and embracing chorus, triumphant and dramatic symphonic themes course through `In the Shadow of Death, and a final reprise of `Ancient Times' is a surprisingly sombre close to the disc.

Leap Day are not a progressive band that can be instantly grasped and enjoyed, instead many repeated listens are essential to grasp how good they are at what they do. Their musical intelligence, varied instrumental qualities, cleverly and subtle melodic song-writing and thoughtful vocals reveal themselves over time, and while there are many flashier and more obvious, instantly satisfying prog bands currently active, Leap Day are a sheer joy for lovers of symphonic prog rock. With `Worlds in Collision' so rich and full of interesting themes as an inspiration, the band have probably barely scratched the surface in presenting the ideas of the book, so hopefully they commence work on Chapter Three in the near future!

Four stars.

 From the Days of Deucalion - Chapter 2 by LEAP DAY album cover Studio Album, 2015
3.76 | 106 ratings

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From the Days of Deucalion - Chapter 2
Leap Day Neo-Prog

Review by Windhawk
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars Hailing from Holland, LEAP DAY was formed some 8 years ago, consisting of veterans from the Dutch progressive rock scene. They have consistently released a new album every other year since their debut album "Awaking the Muse" appeared in 2009. Their fourth and most recent album is "From the Days of Deucalion Chapter 2", released by the Polish label Oskar Records in 2015.

Leap Day presents us with a tasteful album of neo-progressive rock with the second chapter of their Deucalion album series. The album isn't one that will provide you with too many unexpected developments, but for those with a taste for late '80s and early '90s neo-progressive rock this CD should come a cross as a quality specimen of this specific orientation, and I'd suggest fans of the Fish-era Marillion to be something of a key audience for this album.

 From the Days of Deucalion - Chapter 2 by LEAP DAY album cover Studio Album, 2015
3.76 | 106 ratings

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From the Days of Deucalion - Chapter 2
Leap Day Neo-Prog

Review by BrufordFreak
Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

2 stars While I do not quite agree with those reviewers willing to vault this album into the echelons of prog Valhalla, I do not think it a wasted listen. Melodies and good musicianship abound. Some of the "tricks" are familiar but still manage to feel fresh enough to be enjoyable without sounding too redundant (though there were a lot of times that I found myself thinking to myself, "This sounds so much like Unitopia"). Still, there is a lot of derivative and cliched musical gimmicks, the sound mixing is not great, the singer's pitch is suspect, and the individual songs' musical foundations are often quite simple. Also, I can't help but find it sad that "...nothing but a fart in a windstorm..." plays a significant role in the lyrics of the chorus of a song here (2. "Amathia" [Homo Ignoramus]" [4:50]). The lyricist is obviously mad at the stupidity of humans--whose choices have propelled its species onto a course of extermination. Usually I love messages like this. But this one is served up in a bit too much syrup and cake.

Best songs: the instrumental 3. "Taurus Appearance" (7:28) (9/10) and 4. "Phaeton" (7:30) (8/10)

Overall, this is a competent if inconsistent representation of Neo Prog. Not nearly up to the impact of 2015 releases from bands like Sylvan, Mystery, Fetish, Perfect Beings, or even, Barock Project or Comedy of Errors, but decent.

 From the Days of Deucalion - Chapter 2 by LEAP DAY album cover Studio Album, 2015
3.76 | 106 ratings

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From the Days of Deucalion - Chapter 2
Leap Day Neo-Prog

Review by FabioAudisio

5 stars Leap Day is around in this weird corner of the music business since 2008 and they have delivered some remarkable albums. Remarkable because of the outstanding music they keep on delivering. But not only remarkable in a positive way. What to think of all those strange titles they came up with? I mean, 'Awaking the muse', what do they mean by that! And who in the world is Skylge??

Anyway, now we have to deal with Deucalion. And at least now I do understand who we're talking about. I also understand the concept they've been working with. It is all explained in the booklets of Chapter 1 and now Chapter 2. I wasn't familiar with the work of mister Velikovsky but after some research on the www I found out he was a close friend to Einstein himself, but he also has made a lot of enemies with his written theories . I think he never could expect that 65 years later a few Dutch musicians would create two albums based on his ideas.

Back to the music. Because that's what we're here for. 'From the days of Deucalion, Chapter 2' is by far the best symphonic record I've heard in a long time! Nine outstanding songs, connected with each other in such a clever way, that's what this cd is about. Very vulnerable moments are followed by harsh and cruel motives. This album is like a musical rollercoaster. Bombastic orchestral moments are followed by funky passages. You can find Chinese music here, but also a true hymn. It's like a free ride in a candy store for my ears! Everywhere you can find tight playing crafty hands delivering the finest rock music you can ask for. Outstanding songwriting and very well played. Especially the voice of Jos Harteveld I like a lot! But great guitar melodies and superb keyboards are also ruling everywhere on this disc. Leap Day find themselves on top of the Dutch progressive rock scene, no doubt about that. Bravo guys! And a huge Thank You for this (again!) wonderful album!

 From the Days of Deucalion - Chapter 2 by LEAP DAY album cover Studio Album, 2015
3.76 | 106 ratings

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From the Days of Deucalion - Chapter 2
Leap Day Neo-Prog

Review by yarno

5 stars I reviewed From the days of Deucalion, chapter 1 a while ago and I felt I had to do the same with this new release. Well, let me start by stating that From the days of Deucalion, Chapter 2 is one of the best releases of 2015 as far as I'm concerned! I already raved about Chapter 1 (2013) and I am still enjoying that album a lot. But now with Chapter 2 in the spotlight I even more like this whole Deucalion epos. On this new release it's becoming clear how the two parts are connected. All new songs are tied together with themes from the latter one and some themes from the new album are recognized by me because some interludes on Chapter 1 already gave them away. How clever these albums are crafted! Very well done I must state! The new songs on the album really stand out. There are no weak tracks here. These are nine delightful prog diamonds that twinkle in my ears. No highlights for me because these are all highlights! Leap Day did it again and to be honest I didn't expect any less. But listen for yourself. And please listen more often than just once. Because with each listen you will explore more and more within the multiple layers these guys crafted together. Highly recommended to all sympho lovers!

 From the Days of Deucalion - Chapter 2 by LEAP DAY album cover Studio Album, 2015
3.76 | 106 ratings

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From the Days of Deucalion - Chapter 2
Leap Day Neo-Prog

Review by tbstars1

2 stars Oh dear! Yet again I find myself swimming against the tide of opinion. It must be some sort of conspiracy. Either that or I need a wholly new set of ears.

Leap Day announced themselves on the prog scene in a big way with Awaking the Muse, with great melodies and musicianship to the fore. Skylge's Lair maintained the high standard and was only slightly less enjoyable overall. Sadly, The Days of Deucalion Chapter 1 witnessed a spectacular decline, with little originality, and no genuinely memorable tunes - apart maybe from Changing Direction which bounces along joyously (and the refrain of which gets a shameless - and welcome - second airing in God of Wars in Chapter 2).

And so to Chapter 2 itself. About which I regret there is very little to say. We have now hit the ground at a hundred miles an hour. Multiple changes of time structure, disjointed rhythms, intermittent reggae back-beat, plaintive vocals, heartfelt and self-consciously meaningful lyrics, animal noises ...yep, all very familiar. There is nothing original in any of this. I will partially tip my hat to the aforementioned God of Wars and also Phaeton (because of its terrific guitar break towards the end), but 10 minutes in total out of 63 doesn't amount to a worthwhile percentage.

I note that a fellow reviewer regards Chapter 2 as being too good to be true. Quite an accolade. I really must be on a different wave length.

 From the Days of Deucalion - Chapter 2 by LEAP DAY album cover Studio Album, 2015
3.76 | 106 ratings

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From the Days of Deucalion - Chapter 2
Leap Day Neo-Prog

Review by GuntherW

5 stars Ow man, this album is too good to be true! Recently I discovered Dutch proggers Leap Day. Their album From the days of Deucalion, Chapter 1 made a big impression on me. And now Chapter 2 is in my player (for two weeks now) and I just can't stop listening! This is symphonic rock the way I really like it!

The album starts with an instrumental song: Pseudo Science. I recognize it as the track the band used for the trailer on YouTube. It's like the soundtrack of some kind of movie. But it is also an ouverture in a way. Then Amathia starts with very subtile vocals and a beautiful Camelesque part 2. Taurus Appearance is another instrumental song: beautiful themes struggle against almost rude chords...breathtaking and addictive song! Phaeton has a tremendoes groove, but it starts very dramatic ("Am I your son?...."). Very different moods... the song constantly changes like a chameleon..... awesome! Then a Chinese speaking lady tells me the story of emperor Yawho (I'm glad they included the translation) and a very odd song reveals itself. Chinese music flows into a beautiful chorus. God of Wars is a true prog gem with all the ingredients a good progsong (imho) should answer to. And then there is Deucalion. Finally we get to know him. This Greek version of Noah is the subject of the longest track on the album (almost 11 minutes). A real prog epic with great vocals and superb battles between guitar and keys. In the shadow of Death is another beautiful symphonic outburst that really stands out! Ancient Times (Reprise) is the echo of the first track on Chapter 1and a wonderful end to this Deucalion chapter.

Leap Day has done it again! They deliver time and time again with amazing songwriting, with themes that give me goosebumbs each listen and with outstanding musicianship! I can only agree with Aussie-Byrd-Brother that the band is improving everything they already did very well, while also setting the bar very high for not only themselves, but the Neo Prog sub-genre itself. I didn't mention the outstanding artwork and production which is even better than chapter 1 I think. So what else can I do then to rate this album with five well deserved stars!

Thanks to windhawk for the artist addition. and to Quinino for the last updates

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