C’mon. We’ve all been there (and if we haven’t, this is about to get embarrassing!). Lights out, headphones on, heart rate elevated, breathing laboured. There you are, triumphant, taking the plaudits of the ecstatic audience. “Thank you Wembley (gotta think big); good night, god bless, see you next time!” And off you troop, turn the lights back on, a good evening’s work well … [Read more...]
Southern Empire – Civilisation
Although I generally make a point of spending significant amounts of time with the albums I review, nevertheless it is rare that I find myself quite so resistant to putting pen to paper or, more accurately, fingers to keyboard. Getting to the point of being ready to say something about this second offering from Southern Empire has been a struggle. And the primary reason for … [Read more...]
The Paradox Twin – The Importance of Mr Bedlam
What’s not to like about a good conspiracy theory? The anticipatory whiff of scandal, the pervading sense of menace, the uncovering and bringing in to the light of secretive, hidden knowledge and the trumpeting justification of supposedly outlandish claims; ours has become a world of shadowy (and not necessarily human) figures working in the background, the proliferation of … [Read more...]
Yuka and Chronoship – Ship
‘Epic’ has unfortunately joined the ubiquitous throng of overused words in our everyday language to the point that we hardly notice it is there any more. Frequently, humorously - and wrongly - used to describe everything commonplace from hangovers, car insurance to ‘fails’, it has become nothing more than a trendy, vacuous catchphrase empty of all meaning and … [Read more...]
Subsignal – La Muerta
Beautiful and Monstrous, released in 2009, is a wonderful showcase for the restless and creative spirit which lies at the very heart progressive rock. Soaring melodies which fondly linger in the memory are cradled in layers of delicious harmonies, built on the bedrock of a spellbinding musical and technical virtuosity which provides a compelling enthusiasm and energy. It also … [Read more...]
My Indigo – My Indigo
There are times when people, actions and events come together in such a way that we are simply forced to stop, step back, take stock and have a good, long, hard look at ourselves, at what we've become and the direction in which our lives are going. My Indigo, the new solo project from Sharon den Adel exists precisely because of one of these life moments. Years of extensive … [Read more...]
Believe – Seven Widows
Death is bewildering. Something beautiful, precious, is gone never to be seen again. Our cries of anguish, the wrenching pain of our dejection, the awful agony of our newly discovered and unwanted aloneness is a heartbroken call to anyone and to everyone to recognise the irreplaceable value of what has been lost. The abject removal of a uniquely familiar presence in our lives … [Read more...]
Victim of Illusion – Invisible Light
In the hustle and bustle of daily life it is all too easy to become distracted, overwhelmed and in the ceaseless noise which perpetually surrounds us, to lose our way. The continual clamour of social media, the relentless bewitchment of consumer advertising, the unyielding presence of politics, comment, opinion and ‘fake’ news captivates and beguiles us. We lose all sense of … [Read more...]