WONDROUS END

An interesting release from this German band back in 1998. It's a double live cd from a concert that was held in January of 1998.They did tack three songs on at the end of the second disc of two studio tracks and a demo. So both discs are well over 70 minutes.This was their only release.They are listed under Neo-Prog but there are Symphonic, Folk and Celtic flavours prominant as well. Vocals are in English. Each tune except for the last three of course ends with applause. Lots of piano and flute on this one.

"Sylving Moons" is a top three with those nature sounds along with lots of atmosphere and flute.Vocal melodies too.This is different from all the rest and I really like it. "Wondrous End" opens with piano and it builds as guitar helps out then flute and vocals.The bass becomes prominant as well.Vocal melodies come and go. A guitar solo 7 minutes in. "A Flute In The Fog" has a Classical flavour with flute and keys leading.Vocals before 2 1/2 minutes as it settles.The flute is Celtic sounding 7 minutes in with vocals. "Thousand Days Before" has a Celtic flavour and is almost like a Jig as vocals join in. It's spacey before 3 minutes then the guitar plays tastefully as it builds.The guitar is crying out later on. "In Vain" has Celtic flute then reserved vocals take over as the flute comes and goes. "Micemakers" is a vocal led track with drums, piano, bass,synths and guitar all helping out. "Weaponless" opens with guitar as reserved vocals join in then flute as it gets fuller. Piano leads during the instrumental break then guitar. "The Stone" has an epic intro as bass and drums join in. Keys lead before 1 1/2 minutes then the vocals arrive. It settles before 4 minutes with vocals and flute but the tempo continues to change. "Warm September Rain" is piano and reserved vocals throughout. "Born Bad I" opens with guitar as reserved vocals join in. It kicks in after 5 1/2 minutes then settles right down after 7 1/2 minutes before kicking back in with guitar from 10 1/2 minutes almost to the end.

Disc two starts with "Born Bad II" opens with synths then we get a beat with bass.This is good. A calm with flute before 3 minutes then it kicks back in with guitar and flute before 6 1/2 minutes. "On A Magician's Flight" is pretty much piano throughout. Impressive though. "Lady Banshee" opens with the wind blowing as guitar and a beat join in. It does get passionate with vocals and we get some Latimer-like guitar.Check out the guitar solo late to end it. Amazing ! A top three right here. "Great Is The Empire" is acoustic guitar and reserved vocal led then the flute joins in. Synths too create some atmosphere. "Mr.Industry" opens with vibes and background synths as it builds.Vocals and a full sound before 2 minutes.This song goes from flute led and pastoral to guitar led and heavy. Lots of mood shifts on it. Love the dark sound and heaviness before 9 minutes as the synths join in. It runs mellow again.

I wish those Folk and Celtic elements weren't on here because I know I would appreciate this more if they were absent. Still there's so much to like about this recording. If I could make my own 40 minute album out of the over 145 minutes that's on here i'd be happy. 3.5 stars.