Epitaph: Epitaph 1971 + Stop, Look And Listen 1972 + Ouside The Law 1974

 

Along with Lucifer's Friend, Blackwater Park, and other bands even more obscure, Epitaph were members of a curious fraternity of '70s German bands that featured British singers. The history of

EPITAPH begins in the winter of 1969/70 in his time hippest music club Dortmund Fantasio, in the basement Britain's Cliff Jackson (vocals, guitar), his compatriot James McGillivray (drums) and bassist Bernd Kolbe practiced and worked on her program, while the weekly Fantasio between sizes like Black Sabbath, Rory Gallagah, Yes and Argent occurred. Even at this time showed his full professional epitaph formality. Their big chance came when Champion Jack Dupree and his performance in Fantasio cancelte stepped in the famous Blue with pianist Günter Boas EPITAPH as a backing group.
                                

Günter Boas producer realized the potential of this band and it's not long and EPITAPH signed their first

contract with Polydor took subjected then to Hanover, shortened their band name of Fagin's EPITAPH in EPITAPH and began Klaus Walz (later Jane) as a second guitarist in London Wessex studio recording their first LP and the same epitaph, which was published in the autumn of 1971.
This was followed by concerts in Germany and an invitation to the legendary Beat Club, in 1972 the first television appearance had the effect of Epitaph.
                       

Epitaph wound up recording their third and most critically acclaimed LP, 1974's Outside the Law, in Chicago, afterwards embarking on a tour of the U.S. with ex-Karthago drummer Norbert Lehmann -- only

to have it rudely interrupted when Billingsgate went bankrupt. Drained by their string of bad luck and feeling lucky simply to escape back to Germany without being held responsible for Billingsgate's debts, Epitaph called it quits in January of 1975. But Cliff Jackson couldn't resist reviving Epitaph just a few months later, gradually rebuilding their damaged reputation until a revamped band -- rounded out by guitarist Heinz Glass, keyboardist Michael Karch, bassist Harvey Janssen, and drummer Fritz Randow -- finally re-emerged with 1979's Return to Reality album. 
                          

1978 EPITAPH plays as support for OMEGA three legendary concerts in Budapest, who were cheered on by more than 30,000 spectators frantically. With the new lineup recorded the band's fourth album, Return to Reality, published in April 1979 on the cult label Brain. The first couple of albums

(while they were signed to Polydor) had prog leanings indeed, but they then sold out to a fairly predictable type of 'Arena Rock'. The early stuff reminds me of Wishbone Ash a lot, and perhaps early Uriah Heep too. Uriah Heep are filed away in Heavy Prog on Progarchives, but Wishbone Ash are only in Prog-Related...and that's where I think I'd personally place these guys too. Excellent music, don't get me wrong (before they copped out to the wishes of the American record company, and similarly later on with the German 'Brain' label), but I don't think that overall they produced sufficient prog to merit inclusion in one of the 'proper' sub genres. 
                                              

ALBUMS ON THIS POST

Epitaph (1971, Polydor)
Stop, Look and Listen (1972, Polydor)
Outside the Law (1974, Billingsgate)

LINE - UP

Cliff Jackson (lead guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals) 
Bernd Kolbe (bass, vocals, 1970-77, 1981-88, 2000-present) 
Jim McGillivray (drums, 1970-72, 1976-77, 2000-01) 
Klaus Walz (guitar, 1971-77, 1981-88) 
Achim Wielert (drums, percussion, 1972-75, 2001-present) 
Fritz Randow (drums, 1977-81) 
Heinz Glass (guitar, vocals, 1977-81, 2000-present)
Luitjen Jansen (bass, 1977-81)
Michael Karch (keyboards, vocals, 1977-80)
Norbert Lehmann (drums, vocals, 1981-88)

 Interview With Cliff Jackson (It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine)

01. EPITAPH - EPITAPH 1971

                           

Very good first album by the german band Epitaph. This album alternate prog-ish hard rock tunes with good dual lead guitars solos, with slower moments and use of mellotron. The lead vocals by the

englishman Cliff Jackson are clean and a bit dreamy. A quite varied album with elements of Wishbone Ash, T2, Nektar, Eloy with a touch of King Crimson. Really strong unknown early 70's album. The guitar sound and drum sound on this record are absolutely top quality. The record is outstanding, sometimes mind-blowing. And the best thing about it is mood, emanating largely from chords (particularly so on 'Hopelessly' and 'Early Morning', with the latter's memorable, evocative arpeggio in A minor).
                       

Epitaph – Epitaph
Label: Polydor – 060249827537, Revisited Rec. – SPV 49582 CD, Universal Music Group – 060249827537
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Digipak
Country: Germany
Released: 2005
Genre: Rock
Style: Hard Rock, Prog-Rock

TRACKS

                        

01. Moving To The Country    5:10
02. Visions    5:25
03. Hopelessly    9:07
04. Little Maggie    8:40
05. Early Morning    9:58

BONUS TRACKS        

    
06. London Town Girl    3:27
07. Autumn 71    4:28
08. Are You Ready    4:25
09. I'm Trying    5:31
10. Changing World    5:50

LINE - UP

Bass, Mellotron, Vocals – Bernd Kolbe
Drums, Vocals – Jim McGillvray
Guitar, Vocals – Cliff Jackson , Klaus Walz
Composed By [All Titles] – Epitaph 

Flac Size: 436 MB

02. EPITAPH - STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN 1972

                                

This second Epitaph album follows in the same footsteps as their debut. Stop, Look and Listen is a very

guitar driven progressive rock record with some elements from hard rock and blues rock as well. This one is even less krautrock oriented than it's predecessor. Their S/T first LP has some krautrock elements but this second album is just a prog rock record.
                                           

Epitaph – Stop Look And Listen
Label:Alcinous Ltd – AL 0077/B
Format:CD, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release
Country:?
Released:1998
Genre:Rock
Style:Classic Rock

TRACKS

                    

01. Crossroads    4:49
02. Nightingale    5:53
03. Uptight    5:53
04. Fly    8:50
05. Stop Look And Listen    9:55

BONUS TRACKS        

    
06. Autumn 71    4:28
07. Are You Ready    4:25
08. We Love You Alice    3:38
09. Paradise For Sale    3:16

LINE - UP

Bass, Mellotron, Vocals – Bernd Kolbe
Drums, Vocals – Jim McGillivray
Guitar, Vocals – Cliff Jackson, Klaus Walz
Written-By – Kolbe (tracks: 5, 9), Jackson (tracks: 1 to 5, 6 to 8), McGillivray (tracks: 5), Walz (tracks: 5, 9)

Flac Size: 336 MB

03. OUTSIDE THE LAW 1974

                               

Epitaph's best album (actually, many would argue it's their only good album), 1974's Outside the Law, was

produced during the German-based, English-fronted quartet's brief sojourn in America, while benefiting from the patronage of tiny independent label Billingsgate Records. Having just lost their deal with mighty Polydor the bandmembers now seemed motivated to edit themselves, and emerged from Chicago's Omega Studios with a far more focused and engaging set of songs, marked by fluid, mid-paced grooves, radio-friendly choruses, and dual-guitar harmonies often backed by acoustic rhythm guitars for added sweetening. 

                     

Epitaph – Outside The Law
Label: Repertoire Records – REP 4885
Format: CD, Album, Reissue
Country: Germany
Released: 2000
Genre: Rock
Style: Hard Rock, Prog Rock, Krautrock

TRACKS

           

01. Reflection    5:15
02. Woman    4:16
03. Big City   5:53
Grand Piano – Fred Kaz    
04. In Your Eyes   2:50
Grand Piano – Fred Kaz
05. Outside The Law    6:07
06. Tequila Shuffle   4:58
Organ – Billy Shaw    
07. Fresh Air    9:01

LINE - UP

Bass, Vocals – Bernd Kolbe
Drums, Percussion – Achim Wielert
Lead Guitar – Klaus Walz
Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Cliff Jackson
Words By – Bernd Kolbe (tracks: 6), Cliff Jackson (tracks: 1 to 5, 7)
Written-By – Kolbe (tracks: 2, 6, 7), Jackson, Walz (tracks: 5 to 7)

Flac Size: 253 MB

Wobbler: From Silence To Somewhere 2017 + Dwellers Of The Deep 2020

 

The band was formed near Hønefoss, Norway, in early 1999 with a desire to recreate some of the

musical expressions of the early 1970s, especially in the use of the instruments of that time and the compositions of the progressive rock scene from 1969 to 1974.  In a few months the basic ideas for the demo and the album Hinterland was created. There was a pause from 2001 to around 2003, until a demo was recorded at Lars' studio, put out on the internet. 
                           

Their debut CD WOBBLER "Hinterland" contains long and complex tracks featuring lush, vintage

keyboard sounds, making extensive use of Mellotron, Minimoog, Hammond C-3 and harpsichord, along with beautiful electric and acoustic guitar playing, a complex rhythm section along with flutes, recorder, saxophones, mandolins and various other instruments providing a very full, symphonic sound.
                        

In February 2009, the band released the second album Afterglow. The album was released on Termo Records. The band released their third album Rites at Dawn on Termo Records in May 2011. Their fourth

album, named From Silence to Somewhere, was released in 2017 and met with overwhelming acclaim. As of April 2021, it is the top rated album of the entire twenty-first century on the progressive rock database Prog Archives, with an average user rating of 4.35 from over 700 ratings, and the website's thirty-second-highest rated album of all time. It also appeared in the top 40 albums of the year on the user ratings website Rate Your Music, being the highest-ranked progressive rock album on the list.
                                    

After the release of Wobbler´s long awaited and critically acclaimed fourth album, From Silence to

Somewhere in 2017, Wobbler hit the road and performed all over Europe as well as Canada in 2017-2019, including the largest prog festival in Europe; Night of the Prog Festival in 2018. Between concerts Wobbler was busy composing new material for a fifth album. Titled Dwellers of the Deep, Wobbler´s new album is due for release worldwide through Karisma Records on October 23rd 2020.  
                      

The band's fifth and most recent album, Dwellers of the Deep, was released on October 23, 2020, and

quickly jumped to the top of the Prog Archives 2020 albums chart within two days of its release. If there is one band who has captured the sound of the golden age of Progressive Rock (1969 – 1975) without sounding regressive or copycat, it is the Norwegian band Wobbler. The band has always had an energetic and youthful approach to the classic prog era, and has managed to blow new life into the genre.Wobbler are highly recommended for fans of the early progressive greats and symphonic prog music.
                        

LINE - UP

                               

Kristian Karl Hultgren - bass, bass clarinet, bass recorder (1999–present)
Lars Fredrik Frøislie – keyboards, backing vocals (1999–present)
Martin Nordrum Kneppen - drums, percussion, recorder (1999–present)
Andreas Wettergreen Strømman Prestmo - lead vocals, guitar, glockenspiel, percussion (2009–present)
Geir Marius Bergom Halleland - lead guitar, backing vocals (2011–present)

FORMER MEMBERS

                   

Morten Andreas Eriksen - lead guitar, mandolin, tambourine, kazoo (1999-2011)
Tony Johannessen - lead vocals (1999-2009)

ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS

Tony Johannessen - vocals
Ketil Vestrum Einarsen - flute
Aage Moltke Schou - percussion, vibraphone, glockenspiel
Sigrun Eng - cello
Ulrik Gaston Larsen - theorbo, baroque guitar
Pauliina Fred - recorder

WOBBLER - FROM SILENCE TO SOMEWHERE (OCTOBER 2017)

                  

The epic title track opens the album with majesty, with that uplifting symphonic tempo provided by a

jazzy "on steroids" rhythmic section and accompanied by atoned guitar licks and Hammond? did I already said majestic? Acoustic enchanting melodies arrive to let the unique sounding vocals to make their entrance, and little by little, in the most evident 70s fashion the drumming breaks silence and prog rock kicks in with flutes and everything, craziness making sense? and back to the woods with the enchanting melodies and vocals, and flutes again? Ian Anderson must love this band, what an accurate rendition to classic progressive rock, with that modern approach, bravo! But the best of all? it has only been 9 plus minutes, still 10 more minutes of genius to come! Furious drum and bass display, brutal mellotron and

flute playing with a guitar tone that needs to be emulated for the rest of their recording career!  
Flutes, pianos, far and almost hidden vocals allow the beautiful instrumentation to gain traction and peacefully redirect the the melodies into a brighter fairy tale-like atmosphere?but not for long, because the riffing is back, the drums, the fat bass, mellotron, flutes, more atoned guitar licks (the tone?) and even some medieval folky episode that relieves the listener from the most complex 45-50secs of the entire album, genius chaos indeed!
                               

Wobbler – From Silence To Somewhere
Label: Karisma Records – KAR133CD
Format: CD, Album, Stereo, Digipak
Country: Norway
Released: Oct 20, 2017
Genre: Rock
Style: Prog Rock, Symphonic Rock

TRACKS

                        

01. From Silence To Somewhere    20:59
02. Rendered In Shades Of Green    2:05
03. Fermented Hours    10:10
04. Foxlight    13:19

LINE - UP

                                   

Andreas Wettergreen Strømman Prestmo - Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Glockenspiel, Percussion, Brass [Bell], Other [Childrens Toy]  
Lars Fredrik Frøislie - Organ [Hammond B3], Mellotron [M400], Synthesizer [Minimoog Model D], Synthesizer [Chamberlin M-1], Synthesizer [Honher Clavinet D6], Synthesizer [Rhodes MKII], Spinet [William de Blaise], Harp [Arp Pro Soloist], Harp [Arp Axxe], Strings [Solina String Ensemble], Other [Wurlitzer 200], Other [Marxophone], Grand Piano, Backing Vocals
Kristian Karl Hultgren - Bass, Bass [Pedals], Woodwind  
Marius Halleland - Electric Guitar [6-12 string], Acoustic Guitar [6-12 string], Backing Vocals 
Martin Nordrum Kneppen - drums, percussion, recorder
Øystein Bech Gadmar - Guest [Crumhorn] (tracks: 4)
Ketil Vestrum Einarsen - Guest [Flute] (tracks: 1,4)
Renato Manzi - Guest [The Part of the Old Man] (tracks: 3)
Other [Audio By] – Jens Petter Nilsen

FROM SILENCE TO SOMEWHERE LYRICS

                                           

[Verse 1]
From the mould, the mother womb, that dark and moist
Dark and moist shield of olde

                               

 

To rise again up from the tomb, and like the fragile sprout in
Twilights gloom
Into the world unfold:
Ancestral gold, the line of blood
A web stretched out so long ago
Built to last

                           

                              

[Verse 2]
Flame of 'morn, upon a face, that jewel of light
Jewel of light, crisp and clear
Released into this starlit place, erected from a secret
Silent space
From silence to somewhere
From a heavy sleep: all things appear
A web designed so long ago

[Bridge]
The footprints of a Heathen God
Entwined around this bone-white, destined rod

[Verse 3]
This now, when everything never dies
Live again
Burst into the scarlet skies
Reshaped, resized

[Instrumental]

[Verse 4]
In this dark hour, I search the cave relentlessly
Pondering grand designs, troubling me
Cloaked in the veil of light, clarity brightens my halls
Proof of the undying truth of these walls

                               

[Verse 5]
Boughs of green, so gently dancing in the wind
Embracing the Earth, my death and my birth
By warms winds, caressed and enclosed in mirth
Here I lie, at peace, in solitude forever
Until I am stirred, from my nest, like a bird
And soar into the world once again

[Outro]
Boughs of green, so gently dancing in the wind
Embracing the Earth, my death and my birth
By warms winds, caressed and enclosed in mirth

Flac Size: 291 MB

WOBBLER - DWELLERS OF THE DEEP (OCTOBER 2020)

                                 

To me Dwellers of the Deep is by far the best album they've ever done. I own all their previous releases so

I got to see them evolve. This album contains some of their finest recordings ever with "By the Banks", "Five Rooms" and the 19 minute "Merry Macabre". Amazing music all around with Lars Fredrik Frøislie providing authentic vintage keyboard including Mellotron (and perhaps Chamberlin, he does own an M1). "Naiad Dreams" is calm and largely acoustic, serving as a breather from the intensity of "Five Rooms". I

usually should refrain from believing this is as great as many of the classics from the '70s but this album very much is that! Five stars shouldn't be something you throw at but the music so amazed me it deserves that rating. I can't believe the heights Wobbler are soaring with. And I'm really amazed at the drumming of Martin Nordrum Kneppen here, he gives his best drumming here (I also own several Tusmørke albums where he's a member of too). No doubt a highlight for 2020 and some of the finest prog in recent years. 
                           

Wobbler – Dwellers Of The Deep
Label: Karisma Records – KAR194CD
Format: CD, Album
Country: Norway
Released: Oct 23, 2020
Genre: Rock
Style: Prog Rock, Symphonic Rock

TRACKS

 
01. By The Banks    (13:49)
1.1 Part I - Visions From Within    
1.2 Part II - Argentum Ormr    
02. Five Rooms     8:28
03. Naiad Dreams    4:24
04. Merry Macabre    (19:00)
4.1 Part I - The Quarry & The Feast    
4.2 Part II - Beneath The Velvet Shroud    
4.3 Part III - The Bird Of Hermes    

LINE - UP

                      

Andreas Wettergreen Strømman Prestmo - Vocals, Electric Guitar [Fender Stratocaster], Guitar [Oslo Instrumentfabrik No 002], Electric Bass [Chandler Precision Bass], Acoustic Guitar [Nylon And Steel Acoustic Guitars], Percussion, Recorder, Glockenspiel 
Martin Nordrum Kneppen - Drums [Ludwig Drums], Drums [Slingerland Drums] 
Kristian Karl Hultgren - Electric Bass [Rickenbacker 4001 Bass] 
Marius Halleland - Electric Guitar [Gibson Les Paul Goldtrop], Electric Guitar [Gibson Firebird], Electric Guitar [Gibson SG], Electric Guitar [Gibson EDS 1275 Doubleneck], Electric Guitar [Fender Telecaster], Backing Vocals 
Lars Fredrik Frøislie - Electric Organ [Hammond C3], Mellotron [Melltron M400], Keyboards [Chamberlin M-1], Grand Piano [Blüthner Grand Piano], Harpsichord [William de Blaise Spiner], Synthesizer [MiniMoog Model D], Synthesizer [Arp Pro Soloist], Synthesizer [Solina String Ensemble], Clavinet [Hobner Clavinet D6], Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes MKII], Electric Piano [Yamaha CP-70B], Marxophone, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Åsa Ree - Guest [Honoured Guest], Violin, Backing Vocals

Flac Size: 290 MB

Änglagård: Discography 1992 - 2012

 

Swedish band Änglagård is part of a whole breed of young progressive rockers. Meaty bass and

scorched guitar tones duel it out with organ, mellotron, and hyperactive drumming, while folky Swedish singing and flute occasionally break the tension. Änglagård got itself noticed in the small international circles of progressive rock fandom, and both of their albums were voted album of the year on Internet prog newsgroups. Founded in 1991 in Stockholm, Sweden - Disbanded in 1994 - Reformed briefly in 2002/03 - Active since 2008
                         

Änglagård were a short-lived band who nonetheless generated critical acclaim and a loyal following in the early nineties with their brooding Mellotron and synth heavy sound that also featured

virtuoso percussionist Mattias Olsson and classically trained flautist Anna Holmgren. The band was formed in the summer of 1991 by guitarist and lead vocalist Tord Lindman and bassist Johan Högberg. The pair placed ads to form a band in the vein of the seventies progressive bands such as Yes and King Crimson, which were successfully answered by keyboardist Thomas Johnson and guitarist Jonas Engdegård. 
                                                       

With their line-up completed the band played several appreciated concerts in their hometown Stockholm.

In April they visited Studio Largen and recorded a demo. The following two months were spent rehearsing and arranging the material for their first album "Hybris". The record was the result of not only four months hard work in the studio but the harvest of a one year struggle of creating music far from the commercial, musical nonsense of today. The progressive rock scene raved about the album and eventually the band was invited to play at the annual Progfest in L.A. in May 1993.
                           

Drummer Olsson and flautist Holmgren were soon added and by the following spring the band were

touring and logging studio sessions that would yield the well-received album Hybris. The release was followed by an American tour which included an appearance at the 1993 Progfest in Los Angeles. By 1994 the band had released their second and final album Epilog, followed again by an appearance at Progfest. This would prove to be the band's final performance. The Progfest recordings were engineered and released in 1996 as the live requiem Buried Alive. 
                      

Änglagård's sound is rich in mellotron, Hammond and piano, and a brooding wash of guitars and bass/bass

pedal accented by Holmgren's moody and precise flute. The band's compositions are characterized by long, often instrumental tracks with significant tempo shifts and sometimes intense guitar flourishes. The Epilog album is instrumental in its entirety, and many of the tracks are distinguished by striking passages from Johnson's grand piano. Early Porcupine Tree also comes to mind, particularly when listening to Epilog. 
                              

THE END?
Well, not really. In October, Anna, Johan and Tord announced that they will continue with the band in a

(hopefully) more steady fashion. Erik Hammarström (drums) and Linus Kåse (keyboards) became new band members. 2013 and 2014 saw more live concerts along with the release of the live album "Prog på svenska - Live in Japan", which was recorded by the new line-up in March 2013. In October 2014, the band announced the return of guitarist Jonas Engdegård. The band began recording a new album in 2017 and was never heard of again.
                           

01. ANGLAGARD - HYBRIS 1992

                      

The influences here are clear Genesis, KC, Yes etc,,, but so well digested that this becomes original again .

As one listens to this with the headphones, his head starts to turn as the music twists bends, twirls, dances from one movement to the next. Hybris is a wonderful album. The important thing is that Änglagård, with this album, built a bridge between modern and classic progressive rock, offering a warm and entertaining sound that still resonates. Hybris revolving door that paved the way for what Scandinavian progressive rock is today.
                                

Änglagård – Hybris
Label: Mellotronen – MELLO CD 4004
Format: CD, Album, Reissue 2000
Country: Sweden
Released: 1992
Genre: Rock
Style: Folk Rock, Prog Rock

TRACKS

                           

01. Jordrök    11:11
02. Vandringar I Vilsenhet    11:56
03. Ifrån Klarhet Till Klarhet    8:09
04. Kung Bore    13:04

BONUS TRACK        

    
05. Gånglåt Från Knapptibble    7:19

LINE - UP

                           

Tord Lindman / electric and nylon & steel acoustic guitars, vocals
Jonas Engdegård / electric and nylon & steel acoustic guitars
Thomas Johnson / Mellotron, Hammond (B-3 & L-100), synths (Solina, Korg), clavinet, pianet, piano, electronic church organ
Anna Holmgren / flute
Johan Högberg / bass, bass pedals, Mellotron (effects)
Mattias Olsson / drums, concert bass drum, tambourine, vibraslap, po-chung, gong, glockenspiel, tubular bells, bongos, Tibetan finger cymbals, wind chimes, a-gogo, cabasa, African drums, effect-flute, varied bells and percussions

WITH

Pär Lindh / performer (unconfirmed)

Flac Size: 295 MB

02. ANGLAGARD - EPILOG 1994

                       

Now here ia a Monster Symphonic Prog Masterpiece!!!!..haaa, that will sit perfect aside other monsters

from the 70' on your collection; this is not an understatement. Influences are several, the prime suspects are: Genesis, Gentle Giant, Yes and King Crimson, but far away of being imitators, this 6 piece band kept their Sweden Melancholic Rock nature and that to me is one of the most important aspects to call this a Masterpiece!! They probably sparked the reborn of Progressive movement in Sweden, and also may have created the same spark around the globe (I might be wrong), but the truth is that based on the date of this album issue (1994) that may have been the case. Beautiful Mellotron, Genesis-like arpeggios and use of

flute, killer guitar and a fantastic drum in contrast with that melancholic Scandinavian taste make this piece of work a definitive MUST for any progressive rock fan, rather essential work of certainly one of the best band of the nineties. Indeed, for many the lack of vocals maybe a minus to call it Masterpiece, but personally I do not missed the lyrics, since there is so much taken place musically in the album. 
                              

Änglagård – Epilog
Label: Not On Label (Änglagård Self-released) – HYB CD 010
Format: CD, Album
Country: Sweden
Released: 1994
Genre: Rock
Style: Art Rock, Prog Rock
                       

TRACKS

                        

01. Prolog    2:01
02. Höstsejd    15:32
03. Rösten    0:14
04. Skogsranden    10:49
05. Sista Somrar    13:11
06. Saknadens Fullhet    2:01

LINE - UP

                    

Jonas Engdegård / guitars, Mellotron (2.1)
Tord Lindman / guitars
Thomas Johnson / Hammond organ, Mellotron, keyboards, piano (2.1)
Anna Holmgren / concert flute
Johan Högberg / bass
Mattias Olsson / drums, cymbals, percussion

WITH

Åsa Eklund / voice
Martin Olofsson / violin
Karin Hansson / viola, double bass, treble recorder
Jan Christoff Norlander / cello
Johan Brand / vibes & bass (2.1)

Flac Size: 234 MB

03. ANGLAGARD - VILJANS OGA 2012

                           

I am definitely not the only one, but I cannot believe a new album from Änglagård is out! Back in 1994,

they broke up following the release of Epilog and their performance at Progfest '94 (that performance was made available on CD two years later as Buried Alive). They talked like they'll never reunite. Then in 2002 they reunited, but without Tord Lindman. By 2003 it was clear they weren't sticking around, and sure again we thought we'd never hear from them again. Now there's a second reunion, without Tord again, and this time they managed a new album, Viljans Öga. How does it stack up to their first two? Very well, in

fact this is just as essential. They take on an even more complex and grandiose approach than before, there are the occasions the passages veer close to RIO. But there are still plenty of that somber and pastoral passages. They still take that same approach as before, playing one thing, move on to the next thing, maybe revisiting a theme. It's plain they can hold their own with just one guitarist (Jonas Engdegård). How about the keyboards? Thomas Johnson still uses tons of Mellotron and Hammond organ, plus a little

electric piano. This, just like their first two, is a totally quintessential Mellotron album. This is not an easy listen, that's for sure. You'll keep discovering new things every time you listen. I am just totally amazed that after an 18 year silence that they come out with a masterpiece every bit as good as their first two. This is bound to be yet another classic, and likely easily the best of 2012.
                                 

Änglagård – Viljans Öga
Label: Änglagård Records – ANG03CD
Format: CD, Album, Stereo, Digisleeve
Country: Sweden
Released: 2012
Genre: Rock
Style: Prog Rock, Symphonic Rock
                                       

TRACKS

                                  

01. Ur Vilande    15:44
02. Sorgmantel    12:07
03. Snårdom    16:14
04. Längtans Klocka    13:18

LINE - UP

                            

Bass, Pedalboard [Taurus Bass Pedals] – Johan Brand
Drums, Percussion, Effects – Mattias Olsson
Flute, Tenor Saxophone – Anna Holmgren
Guest [Guest Musician], Bass Tuba, Bass Trumpet, Trumpet [Contrabass Trumpet] – Ulf Åkerstedt
Guest [Guest Musician], Cello – Tove Törnberg
Guest [Guest Musician], Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone – Daniel Borgegård Älgå
Guitar – Jonas Engdegård
Keyboards – Thomas Johnson 

NOTES

 

 

Drums, piano and concert flute from start to finish recorded at Atlantis, August - November 2011.
Hammond recorded at Studio Crazy Horse, November 2011.
Other instruments recorded at Vintage Recording Studio, Roth-Händle Studios, Granstigen Studio and Thomas Krypin, August 2011 - April 2012. 

Flac Size: 328 MB