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Review:
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This is a five piece band from Germany's Münster region
that has released their debut album entitled Satellite Bay
in 2007, two years later followed by this new album Avoid
The Light featuring guest singer Jonas Renske (Katatonia).
On their website I read these words: "Although we'd almost
given up hope, there seems to be a parallel universe away
from anaemic supermarket muzak, restless radio formats and
short-lived trends after all. There still is music which
allows its listeners enough space for unlimited enjoyment,
unfolds all its glory on top of lavish arrangements and
takes the liberty of celebrating sounds and harmonic sequences
in the elaborateness they deserve.”
- Well, listening to this second album by Long Distance
Calling the music of Swedish top notch band Anekdoten (but
without their lush Mellotron sound), early Porcupine Tree,
Riverside and even U2 comes to my mind, especially in the
excellent first composition Apparations: it starts dreamy
with a slow rhythm, repetetive guitar runs and poweful drum
beats, gradually it becomes more compelling with obvious
melancholical undertones, then the tension builds and builds,
followed by a powerful accellaration, culminating in a climate
with heavy guitar riffs and a thunderous rhythm section,
finally the atmosphere becomes mellow featuring a moving
guitar sound, what a great emotional experience! The other
five compositions (including the only non-instrumental track
The Nearing Grave with guest singer Jonas Renske) are also
nicely build upon creating compelling atmospheres, from
dreamy and hypnotizing (with ambient keyboard work or howling
electric guitar) to powerful and bombastic (often with Rush-like
heavy guitar riffs and propulsive drum beats) but never
at the level of the first track although 359 sounds very
compelling with hints of Interstellar Overdrive (Syd Barrett-era
Pink Floyd), I love that psychedelic sound. I also like
the varied final song Sundown Highway (with elements of
Rush, Porcupine Tree and Anekdoten) that is beautifully
concluded with acoustic guitar, a strong musical idea.
- If you want to be carried away by simply structured
but very compelling music, this is an album to check out.
www.progwalhalla.com
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