THE CONTINUATION

The Windmill is a 70's spirit Progressive Rock band from Norway. It was formed in 2001 by Jean Robert Viita (vocals and keyboards), Morten Clason (vocals, sax, flutes, guitars and keyboards) and Arnfinn Isaksen (bass). Bent Jensen (guitars), Vidar Kleivane (drums) and Erik Borgen (vocals and guitars) complete the band.

The Windmill released their first album 3 years ago with the funny name To Be Continued? (2010), so it's not that weird that their new and second album is called The Continuation (2013). Recorded in the Prog Shack Studio and produced by the band itself, The Continuation (2013) comes in a pretty digipack edition with stunning art by Kirsten K. Viita.

As I said, The Windmill follows the 70's road and it does it with passion. The Continuation (2013) is a clear example of that. To begin with, the album has 5 tracks, and it is a mirror of the old Prog Rock LPs: 2 short songs, 2 medium-length ones and 1 epic. Nothing strange that the album was also released in Vinyl.

'The Continuation' kicks the CD in as an instrumental piece and you soon know that the album will be good. By the time you come to 'The Masque', the second track, the Norwegian band has got you already. Ok, I confess, I have some problems listening to Morten Clason vocals on this 'The Masque'. Maybe because of his diction, but as the instrumental goes on everything else is forgotten, especially when it comes to the guitar parts, some amazing work.

The third track 'Not Alone' has a quite different beginning, evocative. The band works with 3 vocalists, which has always been my favorite kind of line up. On this track they have Erik Borgen vocals, and it immediately became my favorite. Once again, superb guitar parts joined forces with Morten flutes. 'Giant Prize' closes the first part of the album with a bit of Jethro Tull sound but it isn't that great of a track.

The epic role has a name, 'The Gamer'. The song deals with the new technology and how some people can be attached to some electronic games so much, even to the point of addiction. In the first two parts of the track, 'I ? Open Your Eyes' and 'II ? Don't Want To Leave This Room' we have Erik Borgen vocals. In the third and final part 'III ? One Way Out' we have Jean Robert vocals. Double guitar solos, space synths, heavy parts and some good bass and keyboard parts. Amazing track!

The Continuation (2013) is a great album for any Prog Rock fan! The production on the album sometimes has a few flaws, especially in the drum parts, but the general feeling is great.

The Windmill is a band that you should definitely catch your close attention.

(Originally posted on progshine.net)