WHEEL OF LIFE

Karmakanic

Symphonic Prog

3.74 | 209 ratings

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ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer

This second "Karmakanic" album is more personal than their debut one, which had very close roots with TFK.

Even if this is another TFK & friends work, the relation is maybe less obvious (although still very much present). Probably because Roine doesn't sing and only appear as lead guitarist on two songs (Bodin's case is almost similar since he appears on three tracks).

The pi�ce de r�sistance is the long opener "Masterplan part I" which nicely combines jazzy aspects with symphonic prog nes. It is probably in this song that the TFK influence is the most obvious. It is also my preferred one from this work.

The jazz side is somewhat too dominant to my taste from time to time: when I heard "Do U Tango", I was quite embarrassed and balanced between the experimental start and the fusion style of the rest. Not my cup of tea.

I'm more at ease while listening to the very good "Where Earth Meets The Sky" thanks to its symphonic (again) and "Yes" oriented style. Actually, both long tracks available here do share this influence and therefore, this is my second fave: keyboards are splendid (especially the piano) and the rhythmic section is nicely performing.

There are these delicious and melancholic vocals so typical (even if Roine is not in charge) and some real nice melody as well. The middle instrumental part seriously leans on a jazz affair: it is the occasion for Jonas to deliver some very good bass play.

The title song is also full of poetry and sweetness. Flute is helping a lot to reach such a nice feel. The guitar sound is really close to Roine's one and therefore, this track seems to come out of a TFK album. Another highlight.

This is a very enjoyable album. The closing track ("Masterplan II") is the occasion for ROine to perform a great guitar part that will satisfy any TFK freak. Four stars.

ZowieZiggy | 4/5 | 2009-11-10

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