After a first LP in 2016 that marked me (see here), the Dutchman 'Joost Maglev' puts it back with a set of guests, some of whom are well known in the business world. Progressive rock starting with 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen' (see the latest live of ‘Ayreon’ here) but also 'Mark Bogert' from the band 'Knight Area' (see their latest album here) or 'Annie Haslam' from the band 'Renaissance' (see their latest live album here), 'Sebas Honing' still part of of adventure (see his album here). It took me several listenings to tame the different titles because, even if some are more accessible than others, they all bring references to a multitude of artists and currents all this being mixed to make something of unique. From the beginning, 'Marie Doesburg' accompanies us with 'Lucid' in an airy atmosphere like 'Vangelis' had done, then, without real transition, 'Angel' takes over for an energetic rock with keyboards reminiscent of the band 'Saga' and choruses reminiscent of 'Styx', then 'Corpus Christi', after a powerful and fast introduction, calm down for a slow tempo that unfolds a catchy melody, and then the sequel sees various accelerations and fallouts follow until a few quick measurements for a rather abrupt end. The following title 'Ever After' changes again with a magnificent ballad where 'Annie Haslam' brings his aerial voice in addition to Joost's singing and is gaining momentum for an instrumental part with a beautiful guitar solo and with a line melodic repeated until the end, the fade out (which I generally do not appreciate), being in this case well used. With 'Judith Episode II', which is one of the most accessible titles, I have the impression to hear melodic lines that could be a cross between 'Arjen Anthony Lucassen' and 'Queen'. A new change of style with 'Alter Ego' that brings us back to a marriage between the 'Beatles' and 'Electric Light Orchestra', then, 'Burning Girl' embarks us in progressive metal with tensions and relaxation throughout the title which makes it one of the highlights of the album. Without transition, 'Demon' makes us return to serenity with a power ballad that starts very calmly and offers a crescendo until a sudden break for a final with some piano notes and sound effects, the album ending as he started, with 'Dreams' and the heavenly voice of 'Marie Doesburg' in a symphonic atmosphere. In summary, this last album of 'Joost Maglev', composed of a patchwork of different genres, is finally of an exceptional richness if you take time to tame it listening after listening and 'Alter Ego' should please to all fans of progressive music loving mixing genres and eras... | |
