Guitar Legend Merrell Fankhauser Releases New Sci-Fi Symphonic Instrumental Surf Album “Signals From Malibu” on Gonzo Multimedia

Arroyo Grande, CA - Guitar legend Merrell Fankhauser has released a new Sci-Fi symphonic instrumental surf album “Signals From Malibu” featuring strange radio signals from the underwater anomaly off the Malibu California coast. A few years back UFO buffs began investigating some strange electronic signals that appeared to be emanating from a spot deep beneath the Pacific Ocean off the Malibu coast. They reported bizarre psychic phenomena in conjunction with them, and legendary surf guitarist Merrell Fankhauser was inspired to write music based on, and including them.

Says Merrell, “The song 'Signals From Malibu' was inspired by the odd anomaly that is off the coast of Malibu California 2000 feet on the ocean floor. The area has had many sightings of UFO's diving into and coming out of the ocean. This has led many to believe it is an underwater base. An ex Army radio expert recorded some strange signals coming from the area. The signal recordings were sent to me by Michael C. Luckman director of the New York Center for Extraterrestrial Research and I incorporated them into the song. After listening more to the signals I was compelled to write a symphonic song using more of the signals titled 'Messages From The Dome'. I had the feeling the signals were communicating with me and I was inspired to keep writing the rest of the songs on this disc. If you feel tingly after listening don't worry its perfectly natural!”

Merrell Fankhauser is considered one of the main innovators of surf music and psychedelic folk rock, and is widely known as the leader of the instrumental surf group The Impacts who had the international hit “Wipeout”. He has presented a number of television programs over the years including 'California Music', 'Route 66 TV Live', and in 2001 he began hosting a music show called 'Tiki Lounge' that airs on the California Central Coast, Southern California, Hawaii and parts of the East Coast.

Watch the promotional video for “Signals From Malibu”:

Tracks:
1. SIGNALS FROM MALIBU 3:12
2. MALIBU USO 3:19
3. INTO THE TUNNEL 3:14
4. POINT DUME 4:23
5. ALIEN SPACE SHUTTLE 3:51
6. MOONLIGHT INTERLUDE 2:32
7. SURFMEN FROM MU 4:02
8. MYSTO SPOT 2:53
9. VOICE OF THE SEA 3:10
10. MESSAGES FROM THE DOME 4:55

Merrell's new CD comes hot on the heels of his recently released critically acclaimed biography “Calling From A Star”, also released on Gonzo Multimedia.

To purchase “Signals From Malibu” CD:
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15834/Merrell_Fankhauser-Signals.html

To Purchase “Calling From A Star” (book):
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15816/Merrell_Fankhauser-Calling_From_A_Star.html

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1908728388/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1908728388&linkCode=as2&tag=aquaradi-20&linkId=2WYL4WGLODDXPM3K

Official website:
http://www.merrellfankhauser.com/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Guitar Legend Merrell Fankhauser Releases New Sci-Fi Symphonic Instrumental Surf Album “Signals From Malibu” on Gonzo Multimedia

Arroyo Grande, CA - Guitar legend Merrell Fankhauser has released a new Sci-Fi symphonic instrumental surf album “Signals From Malibu” featuring strange radio signals from the underwater anomaly off the Malibu California coast. A few years back UFO buffs began investigating some strange electronic signals that appeared to be emanating from a spot deep beneath the Pacific Ocean off the Malibu coast. They reported bizarre psychic phenomena in conjunction with them, and legendary surf guitarist Merrell Fankhauser was inspired to write music based on, and including them.

Says Merrell, “The song 'Signals From Malibu' was inspired by the odd anomaly that is off the coast of Malibu California 2000 feet on the ocean floor. The area has had many sightings of UFO's diving into and coming out of the ocean. This has led many to believe it is an underwater base. An ex Army radio expert recorded some strange signals coming from the area. The signal recordings were sent to me by Michael C. Luckman director of the New York Center for Extraterrestrial Research and I incorporated them into the song. After listening more to the signals I was compelled to write a symphonic song using more of the signals titled 'Messages From The Dome'. I had the feeling the signals were communicating with me and I was inspired to keep writing the rest of the songs on this disc. If you feel tingly after listening don't worry its perfectly natural!”

Merrell Fankhauser is considered one of the main innovators of surf music and psychedelic folk rock, and is widely known as the leader of the instrumental surf group The Impacts who had the international hit “Wipeout”. He has presented a number of television programs over the years including 'California Music', 'Route 66 TV Live', and in 2001 he began hosting a music show called 'Tiki Lounge' that airs on the California Central Coast, Southern California, Hawaii and parts of the East Coast.

Watch the promotional video for “Signals From Malibu”:

Tracks:
1. SIGNALS FROM MALIBU 3:12
2. MALIBU USO 3:19
3. INTO THE TUNNEL 3:14
4. POINT DUME 4:23
5. ALIEN SPACE SHUTTLE 3:51
6. MOONLIGHT INTERLUDE 2:32
7. SURFMEN FROM MU 4:02
8. MYSTO SPOT 2:53
9. VOICE OF THE SEA 3:10
10. MESSAGES FROM THE DOME 4:55

Merrell's new CD comes hot on the heels of his recently released critically acclaimed biography “Calling From A Star”, also released on Gonzo Multimedia.

To purchase “Signals From Malibu” CD:
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15834/Merrell_Fankhauser-Signals.html

To Purchase “Calling From A Star” (book):
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15816/Merrell_Fankhauser-Calling_From_A_Star.html

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1908728388/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1908728388&linkCode=as2&tag=aquaradi-20&linkId=2WYL4WGLODDXPM3K

Official website:
http://www.merrellfankhauser.com/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Featured Track: Cailyn Lloyd-Titan

Cailyn Lloyd is a multi-instrumentalist celebrating the release of her newest release on new year's day and I would estimate she is ringing in 2015 with quite bang with Voyager.

"Titan" is the subject of discussion and the one track being featured on Bandcamp presently. The music shows the diversity of the artist.

It is an excellent track over 5 minutes in length while highlighting the subtleties and power that one song could possibly be on display on one track. The elements of rock, prog rock and classical meet in the middle and create a literal explosion of sound and beauty simultaneously.

Give it a listen now!


More About Cailyn:

http://www.cailynmusic.com

Cailyn Lloyd is a guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin whose music has been featured on classic and progressive rock stations worldwide.  She is an official Paul Reed Smith artist and a voting member of the Recording Academy.  Her music has received many positive reviews from a multitude of progressive rock sites and print magazines including Vintage Guitar Magazine and Progression. 

Cailyn has completed production on a new, full length album/CD project called Voyager, a collection of musical images inspired by the Voyager Space Program.  The album will be available for pre-order on December 5th, with a release date of January 1, 2015! 

In Greek mythology, the Titans were a race of powerful deities who ruled during the legendary Golden Age. Titan is the largest moon of Saturn, the only moon in the solar system known to have a dense atmosphere, and the only planet or moon for which evidence of stable bodies of surface liquid has been found. The weather on Titan, including wind and rain, creates features similar to those found on Earth such as dunes, rivers, lakes, and seas (probably of liquid methane and ethane), and is dominated by seasonal patterns as on Earth.

Titan is larger than the Moon and is composed primarily of water ice and rocky material. The geologically young surface is generally smooth, with few known impact craters, and is dotted with mountains and possible cryovolcanoes. (A cryovolcano–also known as an ice volcano–is a volcano that erupts volatiles such as water, ammonia or methane, instead of molten rock. Collectively referred to as cryomagma or ice-volcanic melt, these substances are usually plumes of liquids, but also occur in vapor form).

Track Evaluation: Cailyn Lloyd-Titan

Cailyn Lloyd is a multi-instrumentalist celebrating the release of her newest release on new year's day and I would estimate she is ringing in 2015 with quite bang with Voyager.

"Titan" is the subject of discussion and the one track being featured on Bandcamp presently. The music shows the diversity of the artist.

It is an excellent track over 5 minutes in length while highlighting the subtleties and power that one song could possibly be on display on one track. The elements of rock, prog rock and classical meet in the middle and create a literal explosion of sound and beauty simultaneously.

Give it a listen now!


More About Cailyn:

http://www.cailynmusic.com

Cailyn Lloyd is a guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin whose music has been featured on classic and progressive rock stations worldwide.  She is an official Paul Reed Smith artist and a voting member of the Recording Academy.  Her music has received many positive reviews from a multitude of progressive rock sites and print magazines including Vintage Guitar Magazine and Progression. 

Cailyn has completed production on a new, full length album/CD project called Voyager, a collection of musical images inspired by the Voyager Space Program.  The album will be available for pre-order on December 5th, with a release date of January 1, 2015! 

In Greek mythology, the Titans were a race of powerful deities who ruled during the legendary Golden Age. Titan is the largest moon of Saturn, the only moon in the solar system known to have a dense atmosphere, and the only planet or moon for which evidence of stable bodies of surface liquid has been found. The weather on Titan, including wind and rain, creates features similar to those found on Earth such as dunes, rivers, lakes, and seas (probably of liquid methane and ethane), and is dominated by seasonal patterns as on Earth.

Titan is larger than the Moon and is composed primarily of water ice and rocky material. The geologically young surface is generally smooth, with few known impact craters, and is dotted with mountains and possible cryovolcanoes. (A cryovolcano–also known as an ice volcano–is a volcano that erupts volatiles such as water, ammonia or methane, instead of molten rock. Collectively referred to as cryomagma or ice-volcanic melt, these substances are usually plumes of liquids, but also occur in vapor form).

UK Symphonic Rock Quintet Winter In Eden Release Highly Anticipated Third Album COURT OF CONSCIENCE

London, UK - Much to the excitement of music fans worldwide, UK rock quintet Winter in Eden release their highly anticipated third album COURT OF CONSCIENCE on October 16, 2014. Recorded in Holland during 2013, the album contains eleven new songs which builds and further refines the unique style that is Winter in Eden. Featuring compelling vocals, muscular riffs, memorable hooks, swirling keyboards coupled with pounding bass and thunderous drums, the result is powerful, modern and balanced.

Produced by Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation) and mixed by Stefan Helleblad (Within Temptation), the album also features guest vocals by Jermain van der Bogt (For All We Know/Ayreon) and an unmistakable voiceover by multi-award winning Damian Wilson (Threshold/Headspace/Maiden United). 'Court of Conscience' retains the bands signature of thought provoking lyrics mixed with memorable melodies. Whilst no two songs are alike, fans will be delighted to hear that the bands approach to this album is a familiar one. With hard and heavy anthems such as “Knife Edge” and “Toxicate”, more chilled and progressive tracks such as “Burdened” and “It's Not Enough” plus the blues rock of “Affliction”, this album has something for every taste and mood.

Bassist Ian Heddle reveals, “We are really pleased to have the opportunity to release 'Court of Conscience' into the world market. Whilst the digital age has broken down borders and albums can be purchased via download, some people still like to own physical copies. The previous release (Echoes of Betrayal) was only distributed throughout the UK and we would often get messages from fans around the globe asking us to send stuff here, there and everywhere! Thankfully, we now have access to Cherry Red's resources and can actually get the real thing into your favourite store...wherever you are!”

Watch the official video for the track “With Intent” taken from the album here - http://youtu.be/Zt-omW7xwXs

Winter In Eden, a dark yet beautiful cocktail of power and passion. Their music builds from delightful symphonic instrumentals to crunching aggressive Metal. Between 2009 and 2013, the band released two full length albums, two EP’s and have entertained fans throughout the UK and Europe with numerous tours and festival appearances. The debut album 'Awakening' was recognised as one of the albums of the year. The track “Lies”, from 'Echoes of Betrayal' was awarded Classic Rock Magazine's 'track of the day' and they have been nominated in the 'Best New Band' (2012/2013), 'Best Live Act' (2013) and 'Best Female Singer' (2012/2013/2014) categories at the annual Classic Rock Society Awards.

Winter In Eden's energetic live performances have been enjoyed by capacity crowds in the UK at events such as The Cambridge Rock Festival and various Femme Metal Festivals alongside Delain and Revamp. Most recently Winter In Eden have taken their live show into mainland Europe, performing to increasing numbers in the Netherlands and Belgium, playing with acts such as Stream of Passion and Maiden uniteD.

Winter In Eden is:

Vicky Johnson - Vocals
Steve Johnson - Keyboards
Samuel Cull - Guitars
Ian Heddle - Bass
Steve Hauxwell – Drums

“Winter In Eden are the best female-fronted symphonic rock band Britain has to offer right now” - Classic Rock Magazine

“Albums as wonderful as this one from new British bands do not come along every day. It has been a complete revelation to me” - Fireworks

“The band stands out for their song writing, their vocals and their musicianship. And they're British too. Every song on here is first class” - Powerplay

“Fabulous set by a band destined for greatness” - Classic Rock Society

“All the quality and all the potential” - Dominion/Terroriser

Tracks:

1. KNIFE EDGE
2. WITH INTENT
3. CRITICAL MASS PART 1 - BURDENED
4. TOXICATE
5. ORDER OF YOUR FAITH
6. IT’S NOT ENOUGH
7. BEFORE IT BEGAN
8. THE SCRIPT
9. CONSTANT TOMORROWS
10. BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
11. AFFLICTION

Official website - www.winterineden.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Winter-In-Eden/110545798972772
Contact: enquiries@winterineden.com
Management and Bookings In the UK: Lycan Media Group
info@lycanmedia.co.uk
Outside the UK: JBM Events
info@jbmevents.com

To purchase Winter In Eden's 'Court of Conscience':
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Of-Conscience-Winter-Eden/dp/B00MW67KSK/
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Court-Of-Conscience-Winter-Eden/dp/B00MW67KSK/

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/court-of-conscience/id895157080
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Conscience-Winter-In-Eden/dp/B00LJGUB58

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

UK Symphonic Rock Quintet Winter In Eden Release Highly Anticipated Third Album COURT OF CONSCIENCE

London, UK - Much to the excitement of music fans worldwide, UK rock quintet Winter in Eden release their highly anticipated third album COURT OF CONSCIENCE on October 16, 2014. Recorded in Holland during 2013, the album contains eleven new songs which builds and further refines the unique style that is Winter in Eden. Featuring compelling vocals, muscular riffs, memorable hooks, swirling keyboards coupled with pounding bass and thunderous drums, the result is powerful, modern and balanced.

Produced by Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation) and mixed by Stefan Helleblad (Within Temptation), the album also features guest vocals by Jermain van der Bogt (For All We Know/Ayreon) and an unmistakable voiceover by multi-award winning Damian Wilson (Threshold/Headspace/Maiden United). 'Court of Conscience' retains the bands signature of thought provoking lyrics mixed with memorable melodies. Whilst no two songs are alike, fans will be delighted to hear that the bands approach to this album is a familiar one. With hard and heavy anthems such as “Knife Edge” and “Toxicate”, more chilled and progressive tracks such as “Burdened” and “It's Not Enough” plus the blues rock of “Affliction”, this album has something for every taste and mood.

Bassist Ian Heddle reveals, “We are really pleased to have the opportunity to release 'Court of Conscience' into the world market. Whilst the digital age has broken down borders and albums can be purchased via download, some people still like to own physical copies. The previous release (Echoes of Betrayal) was only distributed throughout the UK and we would often get messages from fans around the globe asking us to send stuff here, there and everywhere! Thankfully, we now have access to Cherry Red's resources and can actually get the real thing into your favourite store...wherever you are!”

Watch the official video for the track “With Intent” taken from the album here - http://youtu.be/Zt-omW7xwXs

Winter In Eden, a dark yet beautiful cocktail of power and passion. Their music builds from delightful symphonic instrumentals to crunching aggressive Metal. Between 2009 and 2013, the band released two full length albums, two EP’s and have entertained fans throughout the UK and Europe with numerous tours and festival appearances. The debut album 'Awakening' was recognised as one of the albums of the year. The track “Lies”, from 'Echoes of Betrayal' was awarded Classic Rock Magazine's 'track of the day' and they have been nominated in the 'Best New Band' (2012/2013), 'Best Live Act' (2013) and 'Best Female Singer' (2012/2013/2014) categories at the annual Classic Rock Society Awards.

Winter In Eden's energetic live performances have been enjoyed by capacity crowds in the UK at events such as The Cambridge Rock Festival and various Femme Metal Festivals alongside Delain and Revamp. Most recently Winter In Eden have taken their live show into mainland Europe, performing to increasing numbers in the Netherlands and Belgium, playing with acts such as Stream of Passion and Maiden uniteD.

Winter In Eden is:

Vicky Johnson - Vocals
Steve Johnson - Keyboards
Samuel Cull - Guitars
Ian Heddle - Bass
Steve Hauxwell – Drums

“Winter In Eden are the best female-fronted symphonic rock band Britain has to offer right now” - Classic Rock Magazine

“Albums as wonderful as this one from new British bands do not come along every day. It has been a complete revelation to me” - Fireworks

“The band stands out for their song writing, their vocals and their musicianship. And they're British too. Every song on here is first class” - Powerplay

“Fabulous set by a band destined for greatness” - Classic Rock Society

“All the quality and all the potential” - Dominion/Terroriser

Tracks:

1. KNIFE EDGE
2. WITH INTENT
3. CRITICAL MASS PART 1 - BURDENED
4. TOXICATE
5. ORDER OF YOUR FAITH
6. IT’S NOT ENOUGH
7. BEFORE IT BEGAN
8. THE SCRIPT
9. CONSTANT TOMORROWS
10. BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
11. AFFLICTION

Official website - www.winterineden.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Winter-In-Eden/110545798972772
Contact: enquiries@winterineden.com
Management and Bookings In the UK: Lycan Media Group
info@lycanmedia.co.uk
Outside the UK: JBM Events
info@jbmevents.com

To purchase Winter In Eden's 'Court of Conscience':
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Of-Conscience-Winter-Eden/dp/B00MW67KSK/
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Court-Of-Conscience-Winter-Eden/dp/B00MW67KSK/

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/court-of-conscience/id895157080
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Court-Conscience-Winter-In-Eden/dp/B00LJGUB58

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Progressive Rock Review: Dawn-Darker

Release Date:  15^th April 2014

Label:  Lasers Edge

Website

The album up for review is another of those that might have slipped through The Ancient One’s net, as I had not heard of the band before. The band in question hail from Switzerland and are called Dawn, which did have a little voice singing away in the depths of my mind “Knock Three Times etc”, but this is definitely NOT that same band. Dawn had their debut album, Loneliness, released back in 2007 and now comes album number 2, Darker. Dawn join a little group of excellent bands currently producing great music from Switzerland, such as Zenit, Diaphonic and Divus, and the music that Dawn provide would sit happily in the symphonic prog rock niche.

Dawn is a 4 piece band with the members involved in the new album, Darker, being Rene Desgoumois (vocals, electric and acoustic guitars), Nicolas Gerber (keyboards), Julian Vuataz (bass) and Manu Linder (drums). The influences cited by the members of Dawn reads like a “Who’s Who” of progressive rock and includes Pink Floyd, Genesis, Led Zeppelin, Van Der Graaf Generator, Caravan, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, Isuldur’s Bane and Gnidrilog, amongst many more.

Darker is a concept album which, as the magazine adverts associated with the release state is, “riddled with the vintage sound of the 70’s.” The album is an 8 track offering with a total playing time of around 68 minutes. The penultimate track, “Lost Anger,” is the shortest at 2:22 minutes and the longest track on the album is “8945” which moves the clock on to 19:02 minutes.

The opening track onDarker, is “Yesterday’s Sorrow” (2:25) which sets the ball rolling with “church organ style” keyboards and shimmering drums merging into a mellotron/keyboard passage which makes you feel that you have been transported back 40 years or so. This is an excellent starting point to the album, which is then taken up by “Cold” (9:43) which introduces us to the very characteristic vocals on the album. The most striking feature of this second track however is the stunning symphonic arrangements, interspersed with some heavy guitar riffs, and the music weaves from symphonic to almost space-rock style sparseness. The title track, “Darker” (10:57) follows and is a much heavier styled track with the “flying synth” sound suggesting early Hawkwind overtones, but it soon evolves into heavy riffing guitars and stronger, more powerful vocals. Sections of more subtle retro sounding keyboards sit perfectly with the heavier sections. Beautiful soundscapes are generated by the more sparse sections of the music, where the gentle bass and guitar merge into keyboard passages. The shorter and much more quirky “Lullabies for Gutterflies” (4:33) stirs memories of bands like Gentle Giant and Yes, with some repetitive keyboards and a very simple hook melody.

The epic track, “8945” (19:02) would best be described as a moody, atmospheric tour-de-force, which is a slow builder for the first three minutes and then heralds in a superbly played guitar passage  which carries the track onto a full band workout. Stunning keyboards around the 6:30 minute point allows the track to start building again with some old radio commentary being heard. This certainly gives a little nod of the head to the sounds of Pink Floyd and King Crimson styled “noodlings” which around the 10:30 minute mark move the track into a much looser sequence of very atmospheric material which just about ends before it becomes “too much” and moves into Deep Purple keyboard territory, more mellotron and more radio commentary. The track moves into an extended repeated passage which slowly builds to end the track.

Track 5, “Out Of Control” (7:44), starts out like a straightforward hard rocker, but settles into a superb track with weaving guitar and keyboards, interspersed with a much more confident sounding set of vocals. Around the 5 minute mark, the sound drops away totally to be picked up by a subdued guitar and swirling mellotron and the return of the vocals. The track ends with the sound dropping down again leaving a very plaintive vocal. “Lost Anger” (2:23) is almost like a little band workout with keyboards and mellotron, very rhythmic bass and drums and a buildup into a symphonic section which then drifts away to the end.

The final track on Darker, “Endless” (10:43) is filled with the sound of Hammond organ passages interspersed with guitars and encompassing some excellent melodic arrangements. The ethereal, floating   keyboards that seem to be here and there in the mix are simply superb. 

On Darker, Dawn has successfully produced a stunning album which encompasses the retro sounds of 70’s progressive music but sounds fresh and up to date. The musicians show that they appreciate those early sounds and can shape them into a sound for the 21^st Century. This album should certainly grace the CD shelves of many prog fanatics so, it has the “One to Buy” sticker emblazoned across the front, and makes this listener eager to track down the debut album and also keep an eye, or should that be an ear, out for future material from the band.

4.5/5 Stars

 

Key Tracks: Cold, Darker, 8945

Tracks: 
Yesterday’s Sorrow
Cold
Darker
Lullabies for Gutterflies
8945
Out Of Control
Lost Anger
Endless
 

Jim “The Ancient One” Lawson-Sr. Reviewer Prog Rock Music Talk

Progressive Rock Review: Dawn-Darker

Release Date:  15^th April 2014

Label:  Lasers Edge

Website

The album up for review is another of those that might have slipped through The Ancient One’s net, as I had not heard of the band before. The band in question hail from Switzerland and are called Dawn, which did have a little voice singing away in the depths of my mind “Knock Three Times etc”, but this is definitely NOT that same band. Dawn had their debut album, Loneliness, released back in 2007 and now comes album number 2, Darker. Dawn join a little group of excellent bands currently producing great music from Switzerland, such as Zenit, Diaphonic and Divus, and the music that Dawn provide would sit happily in the symphonic prog rock niche.

Dawn is a 4 piece band with the members involved in the new album, Darker, being Rene Desgoumois (vocals, electric and acoustic guitars), Nicolas Gerber (keyboards), Julian Vuataz (bass) and Manu Linder (drums). The influences cited by the members of Dawn reads like a “Who’s Who” of progressive rock and includes Pink Floyd, Genesis, Led Zeppelin, Van Der Graaf Generator, Caravan, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, Isuldur’s Bane and Gnidrilog, amongst many more.

Darker is a concept album which, as the magazine adverts associated with the release state is, “riddled with the vintage sound of the 70’s.” The album is an 8 track offering with a total playing time of around 68 minutes. The penultimate track, “Lost Anger,” is the shortest at 2:22 minutes and the longest track on the album is “8945” which moves the clock on to 19:02 minutes.

The opening track onDarker, is “Yesterday’s Sorrow” (2:25) which sets the ball rolling with “church organ style” keyboards and shimmering drums merging into a mellotron/keyboard passage which makes you feel that you have been transported back 40 years or so. This is an excellent starting point to the album, which is then taken up by “Cold” (9:43) which introduces us to the very characteristic vocals on the album. The most striking feature of this second track however is the stunning symphonic arrangements, interspersed with some heavy guitar riffs, and the music weaves from symphonic to almost space-rock style sparseness. The title track, “Darker” (10:57) follows and is a much heavier styled track with the “flying synth” sound suggesting early Hawkwind overtones, but it soon evolves into heavy riffing guitars and stronger, more powerful vocals. Sections of more subtle retro sounding keyboards sit perfectly with the heavier sections. Beautiful soundscapes are generated by the more sparse sections of the music, where the gentle bass and guitar merge into keyboard passages. The shorter and much more quirky “Lullabies for Gutterflies” (4:33) stirs memories of bands like Gentle Giant and Yes, with some repetitive keyboards and a very simple hook melody.

The epic track, “8945” (19:02) would best be described as a moody, atmospheric tour-de-force, which is a slow builder for the first three minutes and then heralds in a superbly played guitar passage  which carries the track onto a full band workout. Stunning keyboards around the 6:30 minute point allows the track to start building again with some old radio commentary being heard. This certainly gives a little nod of the head to the sounds of Pink Floyd and King Crimson styled “noodlings” which around the 10:30 minute mark move the track into a much looser sequence of very atmospheric material which just about ends before it becomes “too much” and moves into Deep Purple keyboard territory, more mellotron and more radio commentary. The track moves into an extended repeated passage which slowly builds to end the track.

Track 5, “Out Of Control” (7:44), starts out like a straightforward hard rocker, but settles into a superb track with weaving guitar and keyboards, interspersed with a much more confident sounding set of vocals. Around the 5 minute mark, the sound drops away totally to be picked up by a subdued guitar and swirling mellotron and the return of the vocals. The track ends with the sound dropping down again leaving a very plaintive vocal. “Lost Anger” (2:23) is almost like a little band workout with keyboards and mellotron, very rhythmic bass and drums and a buildup into a symphonic section which then drifts away to the end.

The final track on Darker, “Endless” (10:43) is filled with the sound of Hammond organ passages interspersed with guitars and encompassing some excellent melodic arrangements. The ethereal, floating   keyboards that seem to be here and there in the mix are simply superb. 

On Darker, Dawn has successfully produced a stunning album which encompasses the retro sounds of 70’s progressive music but sounds fresh and up to date. The musicians show that they appreciate those early sounds and can shape them into a sound for the 21^st Century. This album should certainly grace the CD shelves of many prog fanatics so, it has the “One to Buy” sticker emblazoned across the front, and makes this listener eager to track down the debut album and also keep an eye, or should that be an ear, out for future material from the band.

4.5/5 Stars

 

Key Tracks: Cold, Darker, 8945

Tracks: 
Yesterday’s Sorrow
Cold
Darker
Lullabies for Gutterflies
8945
Out Of Control
Lost Anger
Endless
 

Jim “The Ancient One” Lawson-Sr. Reviewer Prog Rock Music Talk