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"Welcome to the Paradox Hotel!" What we have
here is a very lavish concert recording of the highest order!
The packaging of the 4 disc limited edition set is a wonderfully
designed collection not unlike the previous offering of Meet
the Flower Kings back in 2003.***
During the show, the lighting was immaculate and the
performances, breathtaking! The six camera shoot, complete
with on the spot editing of uninterrupted intensity, captured
the latest full-blown Flower Kings’ extravaganza in all of
its glory! This is a definite must have for all fans of the
Flower Kings music!***
A countdown begins the show with kaleidoscopic of images
superimposed upon the stage by the very talented artistry
of a long time band friend, Per Nordin. The excited audience
appear fully prepared for a spectacular evening of music by
this group of fine tuned professionals.***
For those who have a 5.1 surround sound system, they
can enjoy the live experience in a great wall of sound! Even
in regular 2.1 mode, if you play it loud and it feels like
you're a part of the event!***
Spontaneous applause erupts when the band hits the stage
and breaks into the raucous theme song of the new album, Paradox
Hotel. Hasse Froberg is a master showman as his voice belches
out the now classic lyrics, "It's a living Hell -- Paradox
Hotel!" Surprisingly, microphones have been supplied to all
of the band members, and everyone joins in on the choruses,
including the latest addition to the band, drummer- Marcus
Liliequist. Wow!***
The next song, Hit Me With A Hit hits you square between
the eyes! Once again, master showman Hasse Froberg, shines
as he not only hits all the right notes and words, but joins
in on new addition to his onstage equipment -- a percussion
rig formally manned by Daniel Gildenlow of Pain of Salvation
fame. Hasse is truly a man of many talents! And the rest of
Kings are consummate performers as they each steal the show
from each other as they trade off their unique abilities and
musical prowess. Jonas Reingold is a monster of a bass player
as his fingers moving effortlessly up and down of the neck
of his classic Fender or fretless bass guitars. He even dons
a twelve string during the show! And he sings, too! Jonas
has proven himself to be an indispensable force within this
amazing group time and time again!***
Then there is master keyboards man, Tomas Bodin. Bathed
in an admiring warm light, his fingers nimbly move about the
keys seemingly effortless and precise. Always with a smile
and an appreciative nod, Tomas is the cornerstone that lays
the firm foundation of the band's immaculate sound! Even when
playing gentle chords, his contributions create very pleasing
and sensual soundscapes that define the music. When he speaks,
he connects with the audience in a very endearing and warm
and personal way. Welcome to the show, you crazy fans, indeed!***
Drummer Marcus Liliequist, the youngest and most enthusiastic
of the lot, pounds his drums like a newly crowned Keith Moon
of Prog! He appeals to the audience with his frequent rising
from his stool to bash cymbals as if he were conducting a
percussive symphony of his own making! Marcus is a rocking
brilliant drummer with a flair for the stage; complete with
smiles and oodles of hard rocking beats! The Flower Kings
made an exceptional choice with this new drummer!***
Then of course there is the master maestro youthful and
enigmatic, Roine Stolt, himself. He appears regal in is floral
patterned suit, with a new purple shirt, black boots, and
plays a majestic guitar as if he was descended from musical
royalty! He sings with a raw power, yet subtle humbleness,
which is characteristically embodied by him. No one else can
sing like Roine Stolt! How he is able to play such complicated
notes and melodies and manage to keep both in tune is miraculous!
He is the ringleader and the rock of which the band draws
their strength and power.***
Last Minute on Earth blasts forth from the PA with all
the vitality the band can muster. This is powerful tune with
a powerful message. It has a timeless appeal and has become
a traditional number at Flower kings shows. This song also
features an exceptional vocal performance from Hasse who belts
out, "Time is killing you!" with no shortage of emphasis on
the words. This song merges into an abbreviated version of
In The Eyes of the World, a hardcore crowd pleaser classic
from the Stardust We Are album. Marcus pounds away, taking
his lead from original drummer Jaime Salazar, but injecting
his own pizzazz and mark upon the rhythm of the song. Very
nicely done!***
Surprisingly, the next song is Jealousy of which Roine
takes the lead vocals and sings with an impassioned voice
accompanied by Tomas on the keys that mimic a grand piano.
His voice expresses the pain of someone who relishes the failure
and sufferings of others. This song is an elegantly simple
and an effective interlude between the rockier numbers.***
What if God Is Alone is a precious gem that should become
an instant classic on the lines of Stardust We Are. This sweeping
mini-epic sends chills down your spine as Roine and Hasse
sing with an impassioned voices and question our humanity.
This song is brilliantly performed with intricate chord signatures,
pounding rhythms and beautiful harmonies. One stunning performance
out of many from the Kings on this spectacular time capsule
of a live event!***
And then we have Pioneers of Aviation which is introduced
by Roine as a tribute to the men and their flying machines.
Tomas Bodin plays a bright solo intro which leads into the
soaring guitar work of Roine Stolt. Then we are treated to
an impassioned drum duet by Hasse and Marcus! Jonas wails
on his bass guitar, finding notes uncharacteristic of a bass
guitar! And that is just one more surprise on this double
disked bonanza!***
Not to spoil any surprises... but it is to be expected
that Love Supreme once again reigns supreme and as if celebrated
by the band as if it were a brand new epic amidst the others.
Hasse Froberg's voice rings out with conviction as the band
plays and echoes his heartfelt sentiments. This instant classic
is followed by the other "Love Supreme" ***
Then The Truth Will Set You Free is announced and gets
radiant cheers from the crowd! But this version is amped up
and augmented with a beautiful transition that, unlike any
other previous performance, of the song is different and improvised
upon! This one epic alone is worth many repeated viewings
in and of its own right! This song concludes disc one which
begs to be followed immediately by disc two!***
Tomas Bodin introduces the next song, Touch My Heaven,
which is a tribute to resilience and fortitude. Our hero,
Hasse, once again hits all of the highs and mighties and sends
a wave of shivers up and down the spine! Roine Stolt's guitar
cries with humble reverence as the song reaches an inescapable
conclusion. Afterwards, an exuberant fan exclaims the band
is "expletive" great! Roine freely repeats the expletive,
and then happily edits himself with a Beep! Charming!**
Mommy Leave the Light On is introduced by Roine as being
a song about being afraid of the dark or dying. This sorrowful
little number is sung by Roine with the childlike innocence
of a fearful little youngster who can't bear to be left alone
in the dark. Here is where Jonas entertains us with his ability
to play something with more than four strings! He pulls up
a stool and accompanies Roine and plays a doubled-necked twelve
string guitar reminiscent of Mike Rutherford of Genesis. Meanwhile,
a lone candle burns on the stage to ward the evil away. Mommy
is followed lovingly by-- End On A High Note. This song is
a true crowd pleaser which gets hands clapping and waving
along! It is a stomping good romp and another show piece for
the talents of the Flower Kings! Tomas Bodin gets to show
off some fancy finger work in this piece which is sure to
please the keyboard enthusiasts among the fans. This song
is a testimony of the greatness of this band!***
And next is the Hasse Froberg rocker Life Will Kill You,
and it's killer indeed! The Kings show off their Rock n Roll
roots in all their splendor in typical Flower Kings style.
This song was written by Hasse and begs for an all out assault
on the senses! Hasse says, Life will kill you anyway, so live
it to the fullest! And entertaining piece that is sure to
be a staple of every performance!***
The supposed "last song" is I Am The sun which is a classic
in the grand tradition of all things Flower Kings. This complex
piece is lyrically challenging as well as musically but the
band effortlessly hammer it out! It is raucous and wild and
jolly good fun!*** As a gift to the "extraordinary audience"
Blade of Cain is played with a brand new intro by Maestro
Bodin. Jonas improvises a bit on his bass which leads into
enthralling Maestro Stolt's classic wah guitar echoing and
soaring about the theater. Beautifully done and a an incredibly
magnificent piece from the Adam and Eve record.***
A King's Prayer receives a new "piano" intro by Tomas
Bodin as Roine sings the words "Goodnight...it seems that
it won't be the last goodbye," sending chills down the spine.
This lyrical prayer packs a powerful punch with the additional
vocals of Hasse and a chorus of "Hey Jude!" including an off-key,
but exuberant audience. Then another magnificent sounding
"jam" ensues with Roine's guitar taking the lead.***
But after this encore the show is not over yet as the
band are welcomed back to the stage after a time-lapse mini
video shows the entire evening from set up to break down and
ending with a big thumbs up.*** Chants from the audience of
"We want more!" are addressed with the answer, "Stardust you
Are -- so Stardust you get!" And so the crazy "Beep!" audience
is treated to another encore.***
It's audience participation time as Hasse conducts the
audience of stardusted fans to sing the chorus. This final
encore is highly charged and a befitting end to a spectacular
performance and the evening of great music in Tilurg, Holland!
***
Unlike the Meet the Flower Kings DVD, this recording
is an immensely energetic performance by the band. They appear
to be having great fun, and so will you! Enjoy your stay at
the Paradox Hotel and relive the excitement again and again!***
Angela Schultz
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