It was in 2018 that I discovered the Dutch band 'Kingfisher Sky' with their 4th album 'Technicoloured Eyes' and this new album from the band of 'Judith Rijnveld' was released at the beginning of November 2024. But, in the meantime, several EPs have seen the light of day: first of all, covers in acoustic versions during the covid period with 'The Lockdown Sessions' which was followed at the beginning 2021 by 'The Winter Sessions', also acoustic, which contained a very nice cover of 'To France' by 'Mike Oldfield'. Then, in 2021, 'Rise Up' was released, and finally, 'Walk the Plank' was released in 2022. Enough to keep us waiting until this latest album 'Feeding The Wolves', especially since these EPs were magnificent. For this latest baby from the Dutch, the basic line up is unchanged and we can note that several artists have been invited with well-known names like 'Troy Donockey' ('Nighwish') or 'Edward Reekers' who participates in the project 'Ayreon' by Arjen Lucassen' and who released the excellent rock opera 'The Liberty Project' in 2023.
The album opens with the title track in which 'Edward Reekers' forms a beautiful vocal duet with 'Judith Rijnveld' and which is magnified by the flute of 'Troy Donockley' in the second part, this title offering a captivating melody that delicately caresses your senses on a slow tempo, then, 'Fade Away' (see the video above) continues with a new melodic gem illuminated by the singing of 'Judith Rijnveld', the style approaching the refined and symphonic progressive of 'Ian Jones' with his project 'Karnataka'. Next is 'Nobody Else Is Watching' which is one of my favourites from the album, and it's again thanks to the wonderful vocal interpretation of 'Judith Rijnveld' who brings modulations in her singing bringing an oriental side and to this rhythmic mid-tempo disorienting. The change of vocal register in 'It Never Ends' also shows that 'Judith Rijnveld' has a beautiful vocal range, very expressive in this very beautiful title with again a very catchy chorus and string accompaniments bringing a symphonic side, then, the two following titles are magnificent ballads with, first of all, 'Bless' which is a semi-acoustic with a very pleasant folk side and 'Distant Memories' which is a more classical ballad but so effective, the sweet melody reminding me of those of their compatriots 'Stream Of Passion' who returned to service after seven years of absence with the EP 'Beautiful Warrior'.
We continue our beautiful journey melodic with the mid-tempo 'Because It’s You' which shows a more energetic face with more supported guitar riffs, then, 'Dormancy' calms the ardour and takes us into a melody flirting with bewitching folk which can recall the atmospheres deployed in the project 'The Gentle Storm' by Arjen Lucassen' and Anneke van Giersbergen', the instrumental arrangements on the flute adding even more to this sweet atmosphere. Without transition, 'Embrace The Moment' completely changes style with a foray into melodic symphonic metal with a unifying chorus that should work very well in concert, then, alternately, 'Vertigo', while keeping saturated guitar riffs, is a more measured mid-tempo that still highlights the powerful singing of 'Judith Rijnveld' and which offers us a very beautiful guitar solo by 'Nick Vershoor', the album ending in softness with the acoustic ballad 'Big Dipper' which pleasantly brings out 'Feeding The Wolves'. To conclude, I would also like to point out that with each release, the album cover offers us a firework of colors and that these works that would have their place in a museum, are made by 'Joke Rijnveld-Stortenbeek', the mother of 'Judith Rijnveld'.
In summary, the Dutch group 'Kingfisher Sky' release a magnificent album, very varied, always highlighting the talented 'Judith Rijnveld', who, whatever the style, illuminates each composition and, even if this group has chosen to offer us durations not exceeding 5 minutes, the progressive rock side is very present inside each title and in this extraordinary diversity between each of them... | |
