|
Review:
|
This USA formation is rooted in 2002 when James Byron
Schoen (guitar and vocals) and Matt Cozin (drums) met during
jam sessions on the Wesleyan University. Under the name
'surrealistic pseudo-rock-opera' several musicans were invited
and in April 2003 the band went on tour. After many changes
in the line-up Edenson started to make their first album,
followed by extensive tours in 2005 and 2006. Unfortunately
the touring caused a lot of tension within the band, this
burden was too much and in the end only prime mover James
Byron Schoen remained a member of Edensong, all others had
left! But James was very determined to finish that first
album, after the mastereing by Bob Katz in 2007, one year
later Edensong released their debut-CD entitled The Fruit
Fallen. It contains tracks that were recorded before James
was left by his fellow musicians.
When I read the information booklet, I noticed that
the Edensong members and the guest musicians used a wide
range of instruments: the distinctive ‘progrock keyboards’
like the Hammond organ, a pipe organ and synthesizers, classical
instruments like the violin, cello, flute and Grand piano,
ethnic instruments like African percussion and Indian tablas
and acoustic – and electric guitars. We can also find that
variety in the use of different styles: from folk with twanging
guitars, pleasant vocals and sparkling flute and classical
with melancholical cello, intense violin and warm Grand
piano to compelling bombastic symphonic rock featuring lush
organ, fiery guitarwork and a propulsive rhythm-section
and even some interludes with progmetal guitar and drums
(like in The Baptism and Nocturne).
The alternating song The Prayer contains an intro with
Spanish guitar and some flamenco elements, very exciting.
My highlight is the long final composition The Reunion (more
than 20 minutes): the intro delivers classical and acoustic
guitar and vocal harmonies, then the climates changes from
compelling with floods of organ and fiery guitar to dreamy
with twanging guitars and flute or violent with propulsive
guitar riffs, I am delighted about the bombastic conclusion
with swelling organ, raw prog metal and a powerful rhythm-section.
In general you can describe Edensong their music as
progressive folk but this band has more to offer, the blend
of classical, rock, prog metal and ethnic music gives a
captivating extra dimension to their music. I am already
looking forward to their next album because I am very curious
to the development of this promising progrock band.
http://www.progwalhalla.com/
|
