DETLEV SCHMIDTCHEN - Last Planet I-III

Kategorie: CD-Reviews | Genre: Electronic, Prog | Heft: Jahrgang 2014, eclipsed Nr. 157 / 2-2014 | VÖ-Jahr: 2014 | Wertung: 7/10 | Label: Torus | Autor: WS


2007-2009 Detlev Schmidtchen, 1975-79 Keyboarder of Eloy, published the three-part SciFi saga "Last Planet". Here he again worked together with his ex-partner, drummer and lyricist Jürgen Rosenthal, who was responsible for the lyrics of Chapter I and II. Now you can get the three albums in a complete package with very good artwork (surreal paintings by Regine Rost). The fantastic story about a spiritual journey to a kind of mirror planet of the earth, called Rakidan, can be easily traced in the booklet. The music itself is dramatic, mostly instrumental symphonic prog with electronic percussion. Of course, there are always sound reminiscences of Eloy, Schmidtchen's typical handwriting. "Elois Spirit" sounds like a mixture of Eloy, Phase "Ocean" (with the typical narrative voice), and Tangerine Dream. But also lively electropop is offered with some pieces. Vocoders, choirs and electric guitars are also used. A rewarding and varied journey through Schmidtchen's cosmos of sound and ideas, which concludes Eloys old "Sun Song" in a new version.

Top track: Seven Bells

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