Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
RPWL - A New Dawn CD (album) cover

A NEW DAWN

RPWL

 

Neo-Prog

4.60 | 23 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Rivertree
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / Band Submissions
5 stars It's the band's 20th anniversary which will have caused the decision to offer a special release to their fans ... and of course to those who may be interested in getting closer to this exceptional German band. 'A New Dawn' provides the final gig from the 'Wanted' tour, taking place at their hometown Freising in October 2015. The performance has been captured with excellent audio and video quality, thus leading into a DVD respectively Blu-Ray format either, and furthermore provided on double CD and triple vinyl. This all available via Gentle Art Of Music starting in mid-July 2017.

Luckily I already had the chance to experience them live a few times, recently during their RPWL plays Pink Floyd tour. Always a pleasure, a challenging occasion, as they are excellent musicians and performers, furthermore always showing interest in interacting with the audience, also afterwards, when the gig has ended. But, as for that issue, it's quite differing. Just a very special event, a spectacular 120 minutes lasting performance, where they are highly concentrated on themselves exclusively for good reason.

Actually there is only one option if you're intending to come in - solely the video release will let you take part at this rock opera for real. Right from the very start the RPWL members are acting from the underground, being wanted like criminals according to the album's conceptional background. Here they are courageously heading for a confrontation to certain political and religious leaders. This because they dared to distribute a recepture against intellectual fatigue to the masses. The band will perform the complete album song collection of course, bonus track inclusively.

The show is enriched with diverse interludes and a huge staff of actors, bringing real theatrical action to the stage. Furthermore additional musicians are appearing, for example Thomas Schlichenheimer on sitar and Manfred Fenneberg using percussion. And so, though deriving from the predecessor 'Beyond Man And Time' album, the extended Fisherman appears to be my absolute highlight. RPWL might be told off tending to mainstream rock here and there, but this epic song at least is prog pure as no other. Fantastic guitar solos contributed by Kalle Wallner.

And keyboarder Markus Jehle proves that he has evolved to a real key figure while artfully variating with mellotron, hammond, piano and synthesizer. The audience, equipped with reserved seats, is obviously delighted. Perfect Day will bring them on their feet at the latest. A Clear Cut Line is reminiscent to Clare Torry on Pink Floyd's 'The Great Gig In The Sky' a bit, due to vocals contributed by Conny Kreitmeier, Bine Heller and Julia Schröter. Somehow reminding me at Steve Hogarth Yogi Lang acts very confident.

Revelation Reprise rounds this masterpiece up, the following two encores are separated. Highly recommended, and this goes to the DVD respectively Blu-Ray version in particular. And now like putting the cherry on the cake even a limited Collector's Box is available, besides making-of and film script also exclusively including that already aforementioned homeopathic drug named 'Veritas Forte', which once brought them out of favour. Brilliant!

Rivertree | 5/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this RPWL review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.