Well,
well, isn’t this a fine year for progressive rock ? And we still have 6
months to go…well, well. There seems to be a constant flow of excellent
music and here is another one : ‘Back from the void’ from our German
friends of ‘High Wheel’. Although I’m not familiar with previous work,
I must admit that my first introduction to their music is a direct hit :
‘Back from the void’ is a dazzling experience ! This album contains very
powerful progressive rock (sometimes even metallish…) flavoured with
exquisite acoustic or even symphonic extracts. Surprisingly we can even find
a song based on an old German song. It is quite clear that we are dealing
with very versatile musicians here. But let us take a closer look at this
divine piece of progressive music. ‘Try
an error’ is the opening track : rattling drums, demonic organ and
unorthodox vocals characterize
this song, clearly in a Gentle Giant vein. ‘The Screamer’ contains three
parts, all of them breathing a completely different atmosphere : the
acoustic ‘Before the raid’ is followed by the ponderous ‘Blasted by
screams’ when finally the overwhelming and breathtaking symphonic
‘Silent room’ makes its appearance : this part of the song definitely is
every progfan’s wet dream, an absolute highlight ! The screaming and
yearning guitar evokes some of the most dramatic playing I’ve been hearing
for years. ‘Sleepless’ is mainly dominated by acoustic guitars but this
time, however, at quite a rapid pace. All in all a gentle song, provided
once again with an sublime outtro. ‘Void’ sounds very threatening all
the way, but at the same time powerful in execution. Somehow, it reminds me
of the more darker side of Arena. And finally the dark gets in…’Dark’
certainly is the most surprising song of the album, based as it is on an old
German song. A simple melody, accompanied by marvellous flute…a little
gem, that’s for sure. And then, my friends, it’s time for an all time
epic ! An epic ? ‘Blind Archer’ will take you (for about 32 minutes) to
the limits of all that this band stands for : this definitely is the grand
parade of High Wheel’s craftsmanship ! It’s the power, the genius and
the emotion united in 30 minutes of absolute musical delight…although
rather fragmentary in construction, it’s an incredible performance by a
band, that really sends the shivers down your spine…It must be an
advantage to be able to perform all songs separately, but as a whole it’s
all you must be dreaming of…I suppose. Well, you just have to hear it to
believe it, but I guarantee that you will be stunned by this fabulous
musical journey into the musical reign of King ‘High Wheel’. Just
check’m out…and again, again, again…. One
of the advantages of being a collaborator of a progressive e-zine, is the
opportunity of getting acquainted with bands you previously never heard of.
‘High Wheel’ is one of those examples and I can only hope they will hit
the highway of progressive rock…very, very soon. ‘Back from the void’
is a tantalizing album. Reviewed by : Piet 'Neal' Michem |
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