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AEOLUS is a Dutch
progressive rock project. Originally started as a studio-recording
project, they added 3 more musicians to the band and are preparing
for a spectacular live-show.
The album opens with “Vicious Circle”, that could have been an
opener for an Arena or IQ album, or you can fill in any other neo
prog band you like. This is great stuff. Just sit back, relax, close
your eyes and dream away with this wonderful guitar sounds. After
two minutes the rhythm starts and slowly the music builds up to the
moment the vocals join in. I like the voice of Raymond, he really
fits in with other singers of other neo prog bands from Holland,
like Sinister Street, Timelock and For Absent Friends, to name only
a few. His voice has maybe a more aggressive touch. It’s a pity he’s
leaving the band and I hope his replacement is of the same quality.
“Come Here My Love” starts with a piano solo with some vocals by
Femke Feenstra, who has been left on the background as if she’s
singing from heaven. She surely has the voice of an angel. Once
Raymond joins in, this proves to be a beautiful ballad. The second
half of the song is heavier, with some Hammond organ fill-ins and a
catchy chorus.
“Fate” has all the ingredients of a genuine prog track. It starts as
a ballad with some strings and cello sounds and a quiet sung first
verse. The chorus is very symphonic with a very complete sound. This
is followed by a Genesis (Peter Gabriel era) piece, just before the
second chorus. The middle piece contains some weird percussion and
other sounds and whispering voices, immediately followed by another
tremendous neo prog guitar solo. The track ends with a acoustic
guitar.
I like the start of “Dust On The Mirror”. It really rocks and
promises to be a brilliant track, but the chorus sounds like the
Beastie Boys. I don’t mind a bit of cross over but this is too much
for a progressive rock album.
Back to neo prog in “Forbidden City”, a track with a lot of rhythm
and again a splendid guitar solo.
“Anonymous Embrace” is a beautifully sung ballad, accompanied by
strings and acoustic guitar. On the end of the song, the angel’s
back.(Femke)
Back to prog in “Where Light Is Coming Through”, with lots of
changes, from acoustic to bombastic, from neo to classic, from quiet
ballad to symphonic. Great track.
“Tears” keeps up the same. In the middle piece, I once more hear
some Peter Gabriel in Raymond’s voice. The second part gets heavier
and heavier to end in a climax.
“it’s not impossible” is again a heavy track, but this time the
rapper is back and again I don’t like to hear this on a prog album.
But all of this is forgotten very fast when you listen to “Aeolus
Breath”. It starts heavier, but the second half is progressive music
from a very high standard.
“Last Song” has the appropriate title for the last song by Raymond.
A short ballad, accompanied by piano. They are going to miss him.
I also like the artwork which has been done by
www.raamw3rk.net in cooperation with Ingrid Verbrugh.
So, once more, there’s a neo prog band born in Holland. They can
stand next to the other great bands from their country. Only the rap
pieces annoy me. If you like neo prog then this is a new discovery
for you. Let the God of the winds (Aeolus) blow the music towards
you. |
