|
Review:
|
Mindgames is a promising Belgian progrock formation
that is rooted in 1997 but not until 2002 the band released
their debut CD entitled International Daylight, in 2006
followed by the CD Actors In Play. And now (early 2010)
Mindgames has released the new CD MMX, only its third studio-album
in 13 years. Meanwhile the band went through several changes
in the line-up, at this moment Mindgames is a five piece
band with Bart Schram (vocals and acoustic 12-string guitar)
as the prime mover. The producer on the second and third
album is electronic musician Frank Van Bogaert, he also
produced other Belgian progrock band Neo-Prophet their stunning
album Monsters. Listening to MMX, I am not surprised about
that because there are similarities between Neo-Prophet
and Mindgames on their new CD MMX, both bands blend symphonic
rock, melodic rock and neo-prog with hints of Seventies
Saga and Styx.***
Most of the seven compositions deliver a song oriented
approach with very tasteful work on guitar and keyboards,
pleasant vocals and flowing shifting moods: a dynamic and
bombastic sound with lush keyboards and powerful guitar
in The Source, a beautiful build-up from dreamy with warm
vocals and tender piano to a compelling final part with
howling guitar and a choir-Mellotron sound in Glory Of Night,
from mellow with acoustic guitar and soaring keyboards to
a slow rhythm with moving wah-wah guitar and Hammond organ
in In My Humble Opinion …, sensitive electric guitar, sensational
synthesizer flights and in the end bombastic Hammond and
a fiery guitar solo in the varied Travels, from tender piano
to powerful wah-wah guitar in the wonderful Outside The
Gloom and exciting work on guitar and keyboards in the catchy
Destination Sky. But we can listen to the band in its full
splendor during the alternating and compelling epic final
composition The Pendulum: after a spacey intro Mindgames
presents an excellent balance of mellow, more dynamic and
bombastic parts, from a tight rhythm with fiery guitar leads
to a beautiful interlude with warm classical guitar and
soaring keyboards, culminating in a strong conclusion featuring
a very moving guitar solo with howling runs and majestic
keyboards (a choir-Mellotron sound and Hammond organ), this
is Prog Heaven!***
If you are up to Seventies Saga and Styx, neo-prog
in the vein of Clepsydra or recent progrock like Knight
Area, this is a band to discover!***
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars! [3 of 5 Stars!]
Erik
Neuteboom
Progwalhalla.nl
|
