The Art Of Sysyphus Vol. 78

29. August 2014

CD-Sampler

JOE BONAMASSA - Different Shades Of Blue (4:36)
Album: Different Shades Of Blue (2014)
Label/Distribution: Provogue/Mascot/Rough Trade

After a solo break of two years, JOE BONAMASSA once again provides his fan community with a new blues rock treat. On "Differnet Shades Of Blue" again brilliantly produced by Kevin Shirley in Las Vegas, the singer/guitarist conjures up the feeling of his early albums time and time again! (RELEASE 19.9.)

THRESHOLD - Watchtower On The Moon (edit) (4:59)
Album: Before The Journey (2014)
Label/Distribution: Nuclear Blast/Warner

"For The Journey" is the tenth studio album by THRESHOLD, the British figurehead of melodic prog metal. Once again the band manages to walk the tightrope between harder and gentler songs, alternating between guitars and keyboards. Watchtower On The Moon. (RELEASE 19.9.)

AMPLIFIER - Named After Rocky (4:59)
Album: Mystoria (2014)
Label/Distribution: Superball/Universal

"Minimum Prog. Maximum Rock. Old School." This is how Sel Balamir and Co. characterize their newest baby on the band's homepage. The collection of rockboards already originated at "Octopus" times and was originally supposed to be released at the same time. But the difference to the serious concept album was too stark. (RELEASE DATE: 5.9.)

ROBERT REED - Side I Opening (edit) (4:59)
Album: Sanctuary (2014)
Label/Distribution: Tigermoth/Just For Kicks

It's actually a miracle that a record in the spirit and style of Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells" has only just been made. And that of ROB REED (Magenta), who not only created a deceptively similar and yet independent patchwork, but also played (almost) everything himself.

ILUVATAR - Resolution (7:01)
Album: From The Silence (2014)
Label/Distribution: 10t/Just For Kicks

After fifteen years there is again a sign of life from the US proggers ILUVATAR. The band's fourth album sounds more mature and rocky than its predecessors and continues the prog of groups like Marillion or Spock's Beard with symphonic arrangements. "Resolution bears eloquent witness to this.

KNIFEWORLD - Destroy The World We Love (edit) (4:25)
Album: The Unravelling (2014)
Label/Distribution: InsideOut/Universal

KNIFEWORLD's "The Unravelling" is one of those albums that don't get boring after numerous listening runs, but gain even more profile. "Destroy The World We Love" demonstrates how modern alternative prog must sound - including psychedelic sound plays and wondrous choral singing.

THE ORDER OF ISRAFEL - Wisdom (9:31)
Album: Wisdom (2014)
Label/Distribution: Napalm/Universal

The debut album of the Swedish-Australian band THE ORDER OF ISRAFEL shows that Doom Metal, Folk and Hardrock harmonize perfectly with each other. The often overlong songs carry the spirit of Doom greats like Candlemass or Cathedral and yet reach far beyond the usual genre frame.

FANTASYY FACTORYY - Gypsy Lover (6:59)
Album: Tales To Tell (rem.) (1997/2014)
Label/Distribution: Ohrwaschl

The newly released album "Tales To Tell" is one of the most important albums of the band FANTASYY FACTORYY and one of the classics of the German Psych Underground. The trio around guitarist Alan Tepper, inspired by Hendrix, receives - not only - impressive support from the flute Rainer Opielas on "Gypsy Lover".

THE ROARING 420S - Bury My Burden (7:18)
Album: What Is Psych? (2014)
Label/Distribution: Stoned Karma/Cargo

Best psychedelic garage skirt from Dresden. The space organ roars, the sitar buzzes and the Twang guitars duel. Anyone who thinks of the cult LSD movie "The Trip" (with Peter Fonda, 1967) is absolutely right. Lava lamp alarm, surf rock and early R&B. Flashback to the late sixties. (Review: eclipsed 7/8-2014)