Record Reviews
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  | WOBBLER ~ HINTERLAND
KARISMA 208 (Barcode: 7090008312086) ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2004 - 2005 Released: 2021
This is a reissue of the debut album by Norwegian Prog group WobblerFind albums by this artist, which was recorded by a quintet lineup, which included guitarist Morten Andreas EriksenFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Lars Fredrik FroislieFind albums by this artist, bassist Kristian Karl HultgrenFind albums by this artist, drummer Martin Nordrum KneppenFind albums by this artist and vocalist Tony JohannessenFind albums by this artist, as well as four guest musicians. The album presents four original compositions, including one lasting almost half an hour, two lasting well over ten minutes and one brief introductory track, all written by the group members.
Although the group had prepared material for an album, written in 1999, before the debut album was recorded, when the offer form the American label Laser`s EdgeFind albums on this label to release their music arrived, it was decided to write completely new music for the debut album. The group returned to the early material, giving it a “second chance”, when they recorded their second album.
Wobbler, like many other Norwegian Prog groups, explore the original sound Prog, which developed in the early 1970s, and often sound remarkably similar to Prog forefathers, completely skipping the dreaded Neo-Prog doodling. The music on this album shows more Classical / Early Music / Medieval Music references than the debut, as well as some hints of Heavy Metal, but it is a classic Symphonic Prog at its best, which nobody can deny ;)
The music is remarkably melodic, with the intrinsic Nordic melancholy well incorporated, but more energetic and harder sounding elements are also present, creating a fascinating continuity and remarkable coherence, which make this album a delightful sonic experience. For experienced Prog listeners, especially those well versed in the original Prog period, this album certainly rises fond memories and a worm familiarity.
Prog, or rather the core of Symphonic Prog, to which this music belongs, it an intrinsically limited genre, and as such operates mostly within pre-destined limits, which allow little flexibility. Wobbles certainly manage to stretch the limits of the genre to the max, and their superb melodic and harmonic capabilities are certainly outstanding.
Overall, this album and its two successors (“AfterglowFind albums with this title” and “Rites At DawnFind albums with this title”), all recently reissued, are a superb Prog triumvirate, which can be warmly recommended to all lovers of the genre. They proudly represent the Norwegian Prog scene, which is certainly alive and kicking, in parallel to other Scandinavian Prog scenes. Great to have this available again!
| | Updated: 03/04/2022Posted: 03/04/2022 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | WHITE WILLOW ~ IGNIS FATUUS
LASER`S EDGE 1021 (Barcode: 763232102125) ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1995 Released: 1995
1st album by this brilliant Norwegian Prog band. White Willow combine Prog with Celtic and Scandinavian elements with such grace and finese that the effect is breathtaking. Add to ut some early music and you have a music that withstands the bounderies of time. Fronted by wonderful femal vocals, they enchant and spell from one song to the next. Absolutely wonderful!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ISLAND ~ PICTURES
LASER`S EDGE 1024 (Barcode: 763232102422) ~ SWITZERLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1977 Released: 1996
Only album from 1977 by this little known Swiss Prog outfit. A gem in the King Crimson style, with complex instrumental work and dark atmosphere, also similar to the Scandinavian flavor of Prog. In time it became a much looked after rarity untill this CD reissue brought it back into circulation. One of those unforgetable treasures, once you put it on your player you just can`t take it off. And of course a great H. R. Giger cover!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | WHITE WILLOW ~ EX TENEBRIS
LASER`S EDGE 1029 (Barcode: 763232102927) ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1998 Released: 1998
2nd album. Even more refined and delicate then their debut, this is somewhat sombre, but wonderful music with dark ambient atmosphere and exquisit melodies. Anglagard`s drummer Mattian Olsson is the new member of the group and his touch is just right for this kind of music. It seems that Scandinavian Prog is somehow more moving and better done then most.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | WHITE WILLOW ~ SACRAMENT
LASER`S EDGE 1034 ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2000 Released: 2000
3rd album. Slightly more complex then the previous release, the band manages to continue in the same direction, but come closer to the Prog genre, with longer pieces and more instrumental passages. The flute becomes more dominant and the atmosphere us less subdued. Nevertheless this is ever bit as brilliant as the previous album and lovers of Scandinavian Prog will enjoy this to the max!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | WHITE WILLOW ~ STORM SEASON
LASER`S EDGE 1038 ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock
4th album from 2004 by this excellent Norwegian band. After a few more personell changes and some new musical directions they produced another superb release, definitely keeping up with their tradition. This one is more `conventional` Prog then their earlier stuff, but there is nothing ordinary about this of course - on the contrary. The atmpsphere is still dark at times resembling other Scandinavian releases (Anglagard, Anekdoten), with slight Metal touch between the lines. All in all another worthwhile efford and a great listen.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | RIVERSIDE ~ OUT OF MYSELF
LASER`S EDGE 1039 (Barcode: 763232103924) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2003 Released: 2004
Debut album by the sensational Polish Prog band [Riverside], which is undoubtedly one of the best new Prog releases in a long time. The band plays with a lot of energy and slightly Metal tendencies, but the overall result is very melodic and refreshing. Great instrumental work and good vocals (in English) make this album an outstanding acheivement for a debut by a young band. Can`t wait for their next one!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | INDUKTI ~ S.U.S.A.R.
LASER`S EDGE 1042 (Barcode: 763232104228) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2004 Released: 2005
1st album by Polish Prog group InduktiFind albums by this artist, which consists of five classically trained musicians but plays some of the heaviest Prog hypnotic music I´ve ever come across. They add the violin (played by Ewa JablonskaFind albums by this artist) to the double guitar / bass / drums lineup and two guest musicians: a vocalist and a harp player, creating massive, wall of sound effects. The album is mostly instrumental and requires getting used to, especially for people who come from the Symphonic side of Prog, but the obvious mesmerizing quality is there at all times if you can survive the barrage of sound the its density. The harp provides some nice quiet passages, being in complete contrast to the predominantly heavy sound that follows. Not recommended to weak-hearted listeners, but people who are constantly on the lookout for new directions in music should find this very interesting.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | WHITE WILLOW ~ SIGNAL TO NOISE
LASER`S EDGE 1046 (Barcode: 763232104624) ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006
5th album by the Norwegian Prog group White WillowFind albums by this artist, which earned quite a following with their top class releases so far. As usual, they keep changing the line-up and musical style from album to album and this one is no exception. Following the trend of their last release, they strengthen the hard rock elements considerably and take a much more straight-ahead approach to the songwriting this time, which takes this album closer to the Prog Metal sub-genre than anything they recorded previously. The female lead singer does an excellent job and the production of the album is superb, but many of their traditional fans might find this music to harsh for their taste. On the other hand they might reach a completely new audience this time around.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | BLACK BONZO ~ SOUND OF THE APOCALYPSE
LASER`S EDGE 1048 (Barcode: 763232104822) ~ SWEDEN ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2007 Released: 2007
2nd album by the excellent Swedish Prog group Black BonzoFind albums by this artist, which is a direct continuation of their superb debut album and brings some of the nicest and most clever Symphonic Prog recorded recently. The band sticks strictly to the 1970s Prog formula, even using a distinct "retro" sound in the studio, which makes this album sound as if it was recorded in the 1970s – I´m pretty sure nobody would be able to guess this album was recorded in the 2000s if they didn´t know so. The music, although not innovative and closely related to almost all the 1970s Prog giants (Jethro TullFind albums by this artist, early Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist and Uriah HeepFind albums by this artist in particular), is still original and really beautifully melodic. Lost of Hammond organ and mellotron, great instrumental work all through and superb songwriting – what else can one expect from an album? A great follow up to their debut and no doubt now – these guys know what they are doing and I like it! Symphonic Prog-heads should have a field day with this!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | ELOY ~ VISIONARY
LASER`S EDGE 1056 (Barcode: 763232105621) ~ GERMANY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2008 - 2009 Released: 2010
The legendary German Prog band EloyFind albums by this artist returns with a new recording, after many years in musical limbo. Led by guitarist Frank BornemannFind albums by this artist, who also writes the band´s music and lyrics, the band has now four decades of music-making in its credit, most of it quite excellent. Although this new release does not bring forward any surprises or unexpected turns, the music is still well made and continues the established model for most Prog / Neo-Prog albums, with plenty of instrumental work and long melodic themes. The band´s many fans will find the album a familiar turf and no disappointment should be expected. Those not familiar with the band´s previous recordings will have a splendid opportunity to get to know them and perhaps investigate backwards.
| | Updated: 21/09/2021Posted: | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | WHITE WILLOW ~ TERMINAL TWILIGHT
LASER`S EDGE 1060 (Barcode: 763232106024) ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2011 Released: 2011
This is the 6th album by Norwegian Prog band White WillowFind albums by this artist, led by guitarist / composer Jacob Holm-LupoFind albums by this artist, who composed all the music and wrote all the lyrics (well, almost), and fronted by female vocalist Sylvia SkjellestadFind albums by this artist. This time it took five years in the making, which of course was worth waiting for, but perhaps is an indication of the deep crisis Prog is experiencing as far as creativity and progress itself is concerned. The band is expanded to a sextet here and with four guest musicians playing on some of the tracks it is a collective work of ten participants. Is some respect stylistically this album is a step back from the Prog-Metal sound of its predecessor, returning to the captivating dark and melancholic sound so characteristic of true Scandinavian Prog. Personally I more than approve of that decision, as the result is stronger and much more impressive than previously. This is complex music, which requires attentive and perhaps repetitive listening, but as usually with this band it is all well worth the effort. It´s good to know that one can still count on some people to create worthwhile music in this crazy world of ours. This is a must to the numerous fans of the band and all connoisseurs of Scandinavian Prog. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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