Record Reviews

HIDDEN LANDS ~ IN OUR NATURE PROGRESS 051 (Barcode: 7320470166918) ~ SWEDEN ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012 This is the debut album by Swedish Prog band Hidden LandsFind albums by this artist, which was formed by four ex-members of the band Violent SilenceFind albums by this artist: keyboardist / guitarist / songwriter Hannes LjunghallFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Bjorn WestenFind albums by this artist, vocalist Bruno EdlingFind albums by this artist and bassist Phillip BastinFind albums by this artist. The quintet lineup was completed by drummer Gustav NybergFind albums by this artist. The album includes six original pieces, all written and composed by Ljunghall, one of which an instrumental. With a double keyboard lineup the group is capable of playing a lot of notes at the same time, which normally would have been a certain recipe for overdoing it, but they somehow manage to avoid that trap, which is already a success. In fact the two keyboardists manage to complement each other quite cleverly, producing together an amazing array of synthesized keyboards sounds, which sound interesting and are often fresh and surprisingly original. The rhythm section is rather restrained, which is perfect for this setting, playing exactly what is needed and leaving the frontline to the keyboards and occasional guitar improvisations. The vocal parts are limited, with most of the music being instrumental and the vocalist is also somewhat composed, which again works rather well in the overall scheme of things and is infinitely more pleasing that having manic screams torturing the listeners´ ears. Of course the lyrics are in English (again), which is a shame. What is wrong with Swedish I ask? The music is the strongest asset of this album; moody, atmospheric, laid-back and beautifully melodic, with that certain Scandinavian gloominess and melancholy Proggers love so much. All six compositions are pretty much on the same level musically, which creates a pleasant listening experience from start to finish – definitely a rarity among the Neo-Prog releases in the last decade. This album has some brilliant double keyboards moments and on the whole is an excellent Prog experience, which should be appreciated even among the sternest fineschmeckers. These musicians have a lot of potential and I hope they keep the band together this time, with us looking forward to their next recording. Although not a mind-blowing masterpiece, it is a very solid album, which should be well received by most Prog connoisseurs, right across the sub-genre chasms. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 21/09/2021Posted:

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VIOLENT SILENCE ~ A BROKEN TRUCE PROGRESS 055 (Barcode: 7320470172254) ~ SWEDEN ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013 This is the third album by Swedish Progressive Rock group Violent SilenceFind albums by this artist, formed and led by drummer / keyboardist / songwriter Johan HedmanFind albums by this artist, with vocalist Martin AhiquistFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Hannes LjunghallFind albums by this artist and Bjorn WestenFind albums by this artist and bassist Anders LindskogFind albums by this artist. The album comprises of just four epic tracks, all lasting over ten minutes, three of which were co-composed by Hedman, Ljunghall and Westen and one by Hedman and Ljunghall, with all lyrics written by Hedman. Stylistically the music is "frozen in time" in the early 1970s Symphonic Prog, with immediate reminiscences of early YesFind albums by this artist and their contemporaries. The melodic suites are well structured and interestingly developed, but introduce no innovation to the music that was first defined forty years earlier, for good and for bad. The high-pitched vocals are clean and in tune, but in the long range can be somewhat unnerving. There is a bit of Celtic and perhaps also Scandinavian Folk influence, which makes this music better than most similar efforts. The instrumental work is spotless, obviously dominated by the keyboards, which play many interesting riffs and fine solos. The rhythm section is doing a perfect job, keeping the music streaming forward and the background elegantly rich, with some superb bass passages. Overall this is a very good Symphonic Prog album, which should delight the die-hard fans of the genre, who simply want more of the same. People who moved on to greener pastures will find this a bit archaic, but nobody can deny the obvious class these guys represent.

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