top of page
ISGAARD_Human_COVER.jpg
ISGAARD
Human
(2019 - Art Of Music - Germany)

https://isgaard.bandcamp.com/album/human

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MKVrwsI3ks

It is not my imagination that each Isgaard album gets more gorgeous than the last one. This, the 8th release by this vocalist/lyricist/pianist, stands above all the previous works, and that is saying something. 'Human' is breathtaking and a treasure to behold. The odds of such perfect and stellar chemistry to be gathered together on a musical project is often illusive. But with Isgaard handling the lead vocals, her partner Jens Lueck ( on keyboards, some vocals, drums, percussion, programming, additional guitar, producer of the entire thing, who also recorded, mixed, and mastered it...wrote every song - with co-writing on some tracks). That alone brings about magic. Add Jan Petersen (electric guitars), Ekiss Giloc (bass), Katja Flintsch (violin, viola), Annika Stolze (violincello), Volker Kuinke (recorders - who is also the main person behind Syrinx Call, and plays on Single Cell Organism - both of which Jens Lueck displays more of his skills on), and Klaus Volland (acoustic guitars). The one person missing is their dear friend and former guitarist Dieter Koch, who passed away in December 2018, and who they dedicated track #2 to ('I Couldn't Say Goodbye').

For those who have heard Isgaard before, be assured this will not only please your ears, but stir something in your soul and mind. The shades of Kate Bush, Sally Oldfield, Candice Night (Blackmore's Night), and that ilk of singer, are only suggested comparisons, as Isgaard Marke sustains her own identity with the velvet rose voice, which is gifted with such a smooth sensuous and dreamy character. To try and pick favorite cuts is tough, as all eight are of equal quality. The subject matter covers modern issues such as climate change, our shortcomings, violence, and emotional voids that take place in all our lives at some time or another. Track #8 is a 3-part masterpiece ('Borders') which is also the most progressive rock oriented. It is the one piece that features Jens on lead vocals which I have said before, he has a superb voice as well. The most exciting drums exist on this same suite, with lots of fanfare and even mellotron, giving the listener a large dose of epic level euphoria.

Just before that huge ending, there is the gorgeous 'Frozen Heart' (track #7), that will melt your spine with the stunning orchestrations. That song is truly as beautiful as beautiful can get. The piano and Isgaard's vocal part is just unbearably alluring. I will need two pages this year to hold all the TOP CHOICES of 2019, because here is yet another addition to the list. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 10 - 18 - 2019
​
​
AQUA FRAGILE_Moving Fragments_COVER.jpg

© 2023 by Name of Site. Proudly created with Wix.com

 
 
BIG BEAUTIFUL NOISE
 

A  magazine focused on inventive, progressive, and creative music in any genre that stands out from the rest
​
​
​
​
Payments of any amount (all donations, no matter how small, are truly cherished) can be sent by PAYPAL  to:
drumlee@proton.me
​
This magazine exists on kind donations and music related advertisements (although the ads are limited and in no way accepted for favors in reviews). All funds are used to pay for website, domain, and the endless hours of work that is required to keep the reviews and various information  in process. Any donation is extremely appreciated. Thank you.
​
PayPal ButtonPayPal Button

ACQUA FRAGILE
Moving Fragments
(2023 - Maracash - Italy)


https://maracashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/moving-fragments


  A group who have the uncanny talent of keeping their classic  sound along with staying up tpo date. This amazing return is from 1970's Italian progressive rock outfit, with frontier man lead vocal Bernardo Lanzetti, who made this band and some PFM albums so specifically brilliant. At this decade, to expect more beauty would be a fantasy, yet it is set before your ears, even with the first notes, this masterpiece of Italian, (and not only Italian) progressive rock that certainly grasps the notion of what the genre of "progressive" was always meant to be. ACQUA FRAGILE create another sweetly classic knockout recording, not with even a heavy breath of past to present effort.  In fact, it sounds and feels more authentic than ever.  Bernardo sounds as if he never aged a week, and all muscians present are at full force, not passing up the chance to make another massively classic album.   An album to put Acqua Fragile at the top of the few chosen progressive rock choices of all time. The first song ('Her Shadlows Torture' 05:52 - editors note:  A misspell on the 'Shadows' which is on Bandcamp at this writing - but is correct as 'Her Shadow's Torture' on physical CD)  hug you and give all relief, as to any possible doubts of a long awaited fourth album by this top notch Italian band. I claim it will leave your heart lay bleeding. Grab the spectral energy and enjoy a glimpse of beautiful cocoon birth.

  Not one song is with sacrifice, even a wink of lamb. In fact, some elements are added to further enchance and stun the audience, such as inclusive female vocals by Rossella Volta. The bulk of the outfit is Piero Canavera (drums, percussion, vocals),  Franz Dondi (bass), Bernardo Lanzetti (lead vocals, guitar, Glovox),  Stefano Pantaleoni (keyboards),  Claudio Tuma (guitars), with special aid by (aforementioned vocalist Rosella Voita) ,  Gigi Cavalli Cocchi - drums (1,6),  Sergio Ponti - drums (4,9), Stef Burns- guitar (2),  Brian Belloni - guitar (4),  Davide Piombino - 7 string guitar (5),  and David Jackson - sax & flute (6). Could you ask for more?   After one listen you cannot want more. Thank Maracash label (Italy) for standing behind so many great Italian artists who have done the blood, sweat, and tears in earlier years, and deserve the attention now.
Although the band name translates to 'Fragile Water', it might be better described as Precious Water at this point and time in our decreasingly cared for world. Perhaps even better, Rare Water. The beauty of this entire recording is apparent, true, sincere, and a step forward. Better than one would dream of, past the point of how all old fans could imagine, and  actually done in the upper atmospheres of what anyone could have dreamed of. Everyone is top notch and most of all, Lanzetti is 100% present, making it another masterpiece.  It is my deep recommendartion for all fans of both classic progressive rock and the new fields of progressive music to give this a direct and full attention (no distractions) listen. RECOMMENDED.
  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 1 - 19 - 2024


 

bottom of page