Drama ~ France

Drama (1995)

Drama were a French band from the heart of Normandy (between Rouen and Le Havre). Their debut is an instrumental neo prog outing, that turns out to be quite engaging despite the premise. Imagine the 80s NWOBPR bands such as Lahost, Tamarisk, and even IQ - as all-instrumental concerns. With a little bit of that medieval Minimum Vital sound to boot. That should give you an insight as to what to expect here. Tight, punchy, energetic, and highly melodic songs in the six to seven minute range is what you'll find on Drama. And despite the lengthy track times, nary a dull moment can be found. Mind you, if you're the progressive rock nut who insists on densely charted scores, or need 70s fat analog instrumentation for your musical diet, then I highly suggest you move on past this title. Otherwise if the bands mentioned above light your fire, and modern synthesizers with non-metal 90s guitar tones are welcoming to your ears, then give it a spin. Personally I have a soft spot for music such as this, so it's a keeper.

Ownership: 1995 Musea (CD). Booklet with photos and recording details. Acquired in 1995.

1995; 2/24/16 (review); 4/12/26

2/24/16 (new entry)

Presto Ballet ~ USA ~ Seattle, Washington

Peace Among the Ruins (2005)

Mannn... had this album only been around in 1979, right? Van Halen walks into the studio and jams with Kansas; Uriah Heep listened to Judas Priest and said "hey, let's add a little guitar muscle here and we can do this!"; Styx grew a pair (or James Young took control of the band - whichever). You know you would have waited all night on the radio to hear this - don't deny it! But alas, it's 2005, and it's a thrash metal guy bankrolling it. A guy who happens to have a vintage keyboard fetish. Not progressive rock - noooo (stop it guys!) - but that wonderful late 70s Pomp / AOR sound - with some 80s crunchy guitar to lap it up with. Why not? I'm buying the concept.

Ownership: 2005 InsideOut Europe (CD)

8/27/10; 2/15/16 (acquired / review)

2/15/16 (new entry)

Nebelnest ~ France

Nebelnest (1999)

France's Nebelnest (stylized as NeBeLNeST, which I find annoying to my eyes) hit the progressive rock world by storm in 1999, though it appears - sadly - that they are largely forgotten today. This debut is an incredible document. Imagine Belgium's Present playing the music of... Group 1850. Never has the edgy 80s and 90s merged with the most exciting and experimental psychedelic bands of the late 60s, as well as Nebelnest has achieved here. The two part 'Psykial Trysm' is something really special, and truly surpasses peak experience status. A high water mark for music such as this. Seriously, it has everything from the tribal drumming, to the mellotronic mystique, to the fuzzy Ratledge-styled keyboards, onto epic psychedelic guitar climaxes with a spastic rhythm section blasting it all to the stars. My goodness, what a piece of music! And that's hardly the end of the journey. It's just the beginning actually, and there are many other examples I could point to. This one will leave you breathless. If you are like me, and the idea of late 60s instrumental psych mixed with high energy angular and angry avant prog sounds like a fetching concept, then by all means grab this CD.

Nebelnest carried on for two further albums, though they were much more towards a direct fashion, similar to the aforementioned Present actually (or mid 70s King Crimson if you insist), but leaving behind the late 60s Pink Floyd / Ash Ra Tempel psychedelic Kosmische... unfortunately.

Whatever the case, this debut album will most certainly be rediscovered, and be considered a highlight of the era in which it was released. Might be a few years yet. My guess? The 2030's...

Ownership: 1999 Laser's Edge (CD)

1999 (acquired); 2/14/16 (review); 6/6/21 (update)

Nova Express (2002)

---5/15/11

When Nebelnest first burst onto the scene in 1999, they were a revelation. A mix of aggressive space rock and cosmic 60's Pink Floyd-like sounds, and for me represents one of the best albums of the 1990s. With Nova Express, the band tightened the ship, and were pretty much all aggressive... all the time. Gone were the hazy psychedelic dreams, and its place dark nightmares became predominant. With this shift towards constant intensity, Nebelnest always seems like they're in the middle of the song. So I do miss the build-ups and ultimate release. Very good album, but not to the level of their debut.

---9/15/25

In hearing the album again for the first time in 14 years, I agree with much of my viewpoints from above. I didn't mention, however, the heavy use of mellotron (confirmed to be real). This does soften the edges quite a bit on what could be a very tiresome effort. I also like that the rhythm section is going bonkers throughout. Reminds me a bit of Corima minus the obvious Zeuhl pacing. 

I'm pretty amped up on this title, and going up a half star, which is where I think I started in the first place back when it came out.

Ownership: 2002 Cuneiform (CD). Booklet with recording details. Sports a top ad strip as well.

2002 (acquired); 5/15/11 (review); 9/15/25 (update)

Also own and need to review Zepto.

5/15/11 (new entry)

Side Steps ~ Japan

Verge of Reality (2005)

Verge of Reality is Side Steps' last studio album. Starting with 'Roppongi Night', it appeared the band were headed more for tropical waters, like their forefathers before them, with a light and breezy fusion sound typical of the early 80s era for example. But it was a head fake, and the abrasive hard guitar was back on the appropriately named 'Edge Trigger'. 'Parallel Reality' amps it up further and includes a couple of nice breaks adding to the excitement. 'Evergreen' is another mellow track, though ultimately more classy in that 5 star hotel lounge sort of way. Throughout, the synthesizer tones remain a problem, with their Nintendo-like sound, but overall the music is on par with some of Kenso's more fusion oriented works. Not going to change your world, but if looking for a solid jazz fusion album, one could do far worse than Verge of Reality.

---8/28/23

At one time I owned four albums from Side Steps. This is all that's left, which is their final studio work. Which tells you that this Japanese fusion group is quite well accomplished, but maybe doesn't have that little extra that gets one excited about an album. There are hundreds of fusion albums out there, and a band needs to bring out the creativity cart to gain attention. Side Steps has proven over the years to be very professional and talented. I need more than that. As I look at the original review I wrote, I find myself agreeing with all of it. But there's no more room in the collection for it either.

Former ownership: 2005 Musea (CD). Acquired in 2016. Downsized in 2023.

2/8/16 (review); 8/28/23 (update)

Formerly owned: Steps On Edge; Out and Out; Points of View

2/8/16 (new entry)

Terraced Garden ~ Canada ~ Toronto, Ontario

Melody & Menace (1982)

Not an easy band to describe, this Terraced Garden, hailing from Toronto, Ontario. Arriving very late in the progressive rock game, it's not readily apparent where the band is coming from. Especially on Melody & Menace. King Crimson is one obvious influence, especially when considering the Fripp sustained leads and the David Cross like violin. Flute and mellotron also call out an early 70s UK progressive rock heritage. But then there's the maudlin, but weirdly accented, vocals (a bit like the Canterbury bands actually) and compact song lengths, very clearly a product of the early 1980s. The album improves as it goes, and is definitely one of the progressive rock highlights of the era.

Ownership: 1982 private (LP) 

Hasn't been reissued in any format (as of 2/21/25).

1998 (first listen); 10/19/10; 1/31/16 (review / new entry); 2/8/21

Dweller at the Threshold - Generation Transmission Illumination. 1998 USA-Oregon

Intriguing album from Dweller at the Threshold who, despite possessing a full 3 piece unit and two guests, sound somewhat like a one man electronic album. In particular, I hear strong hints of Edgar Froese, and the album comes across like a cross between Ages and Pinnacles minus the psychedelic guitar (unfortunately). A band can do worse than that. A fine album for the style, though those looking for more active sequencing will need to move on to the next album in the stack. This is for EM fans who enjoy moody melody lines, and atmospheric sequences.

Former ownership: CD: 1998 Eurock

1/27/16 (review / new entry)

Eden ~ Germany

Erwartung (1978)

Erwartung (Expectation) is the debut album from Eden, a large scale German symphonic band. They were one of the first of the Christian progressive rock bands that appeared in Germany / Switzerland and proliferated through the land in the late 70s and early 80s. And their sound could be considered the prototype, with multi part segments, and varied instrumentation including violin, flute, guitar, sax, etc... Along with dual male / female vocals - the latter sung in the expected soprano tone. The lyrics are sung in German, and the music has more than a passing resemblance to secular groups such as Novalis, Odyssee, Waniyetula, Werwolf, and Anyone's Daughter. Despite being a Christian album, and somewhat verbose, the lyrics clearly support the music rather than the other way around, so it is highly enjoyable strictly from a listening standpoint. That is to say, definitely a symphonic progressive rock band first, a message band second.

Former ownership: 1994 Pila (CD). Acquired in 2016. Downsized in 2026.

1/26/16 (review); 2/14/24

1/26/16 (new entry)

Sieges Even - A Sense of Change. 1991 Germany

My initial reaction to this album was very similar to many reviews you may read - except real time in 1992. To my ears back then, Sieges Even were a prog thrash, or perhaps more to the point, technical metal band who did a fantastic replication / variation on what Watchtower was doing here in the States. Steps was a radical departure from Life Cycle (see the UMR entry for it), so they did tip their hand a bit as to where they were going.

But I never saw this one coming. It was not what I had expected - nor wanted - at the time. I ditched it quick, and left rather unflattering ratings behind. Fast forward another 25 years or so, and I had a chance to source the original SPV CD on the cheap, so why not take another shot at it? As the other reviews have stated so well, A Sense of Change is very much in league with early to mid 80s era Rush. Except far more technical, and "progressive" if you will. Fates Warning's Perfect Symmetry is a good reference as well. In fact, it's not metal at all, at least if heavy sound distortion is a criteria for said sound. Now I hear the album completely different, and is very enjoyable. 

Ownership: CD: 1991 Steamhammer. Jewel case with lyric booklet and photos.

1992 (first listen); 1/26/16 (review / new entry); 4/10/24

Moonwagon - The Rule of Three. 2015 Finland

The Rule of Three, is appropriately enough, Moonwagon's 3rd album. Picking right up from Foyers of the Future, the album starts off more geared towards broad strokes and atmospheric space rock. This goes on for the opening 3 tracks, with 'The Infinite Pattern' being the highlight with its strong melodic content and various meter changes. 'Run to the Sun' recalls the 90s neo psych movement, and  is the only track to feature vocals (in English). 'Skylines at Night' seems almost like a homage to the late 70s French and German guitar oriented electronic scene, with soaring guitar leads, steady beats, and a heavy synthesizer presence, perhaps like Christian Boule's Photo Musik, for example. This leads to the final epic track, where we get the payoff for the time invested. Mostly an old school early 1970s Kosmische Kouriere trip with echoed electric piano, scattered drums, acid guitar leads, and moody synthesizers. The mid section follows - but more towards the jumpy Quantum Fantay variety of Ozric Tentacles, and finally finishes with an almost Zeuhl like bass riff with atmospheric Rhodes electric piano over the top. Not like anything else I've heard prior, though still quite familiar. Superb. A new direction for the band perhaps? We can hope.

Ownership: CD: 2015 Presence

1/15/16 (new entry)

Homunculus Res ~ Italy

Come Si Diventa Ciò Che Si Era (2015)

The Italian National Health continues on with their sophomore effort, with native Picchio dal Pozzo, and irreverent Stereolab, trimmings. Basically a continuation of the debut, with more prominent guest stars than prior (from Muffins, Rascal Reporters, New Trolls). Fine with me, as I can listen to this kind of melodic - and complex - music all day. Xenophobes: so sorry for you, must order from Olive Garden menu.

Ownership: 2015 AltRock (CD)

1/9/16 (review); 12/17/17

Limiti all’Eguaglianza della Parte con il Tutto (2013)

Homunculus Res is a tremendous new Canterbury styled band from Italy. Following in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Moogg, Homunculus Res have perfectly captured the spirit of another era. Brilliantly mixing melody and complexity, with a jazzy undertone, the 18 tracks on here flow seamlessly, and the album is over far sooner than you might expect. Fans of National Health and Picchio dal Pozzo will most certainly want to investigate. There's also a dash of Stereolab at their most insouciant en Francaise moments. The whimsical and positive disposition of the melodies are at complete odds with the distorted nature of the analog (or faux analog) instruments presented here. I never tire of music like this. Let's see if they can take their ideas to the next level. Highly recommended.

Ownership: 2013 AltRock (CD)

1/30/14 (review); 10/9/19

The band continued on to release three more albums which I've yet to hear.

1/30/14 (new enrty)

Landberk - One Man Tell's Another. 1994 Sweden

Landberk were first. It was they who originally brought the early 70s Swedish analog progressive sound back to light in the prog starved early 90s (yes true). Anglagard and Anekdoten were to follow shortly thereafter. So after a brilliant debut (the native Swedish version being the more preferable of course), there was great anticipation for my friends and I, as to what would Landberk followup with. And it was... not this. Almost ironic in that Landberk, on the grammatically incorrect One Man Tell's Another, copied the more atmospheric and arty portions of Anekdoten's debut. And like the latter band, began to sing in English exclusively. WTF? Well, I never gave up on the album, storing it away for future listens. Today, I judge the band on what they were doing, not what I wanted them to do (a common problem we all deal with). It's still heavily based in psychedelia, with fuzz guitar, Hammond organ, and mellotron everywhere. But the music is geared more towards 90s art rock than 70s symphonic progressive. One can hardly blame a contemporary group trying to be relevant in modern times. This was still 1994, not 2016, where retro prog is now considered cool. Back then, it was not I assure you, and these bands from Sweden were pioneers with a very small audience (there were only a few of us then - and certainly not hipsters!). Of course, even in retrospect, I would have wished for a more developed successor to the debut. But what they recorded is still quite excellent. And has stood the test of time quite well. Perhaps better, yes.

May 22, 2018 update: Sold the CD as I received a great offer. I'll do without for now.

1/6/16 (new entry)

Aardvark - Tuntematon Sotila. 2006 Finland

Finnish band Aardvark are the true modern group, since they all were living / working in various parts of the globe, and yet managed to record a cohesive band effort through the magic of the Internet (and once again, raise a glass high to The Rascal Reporters, who pioneered this idea in the cassette tape / snail mail era). Aardvark were originally presented to me as an amalgam of all things 70s Finnish rock, calling out Kaamos, Nova, and Nimbus as reference. And since I'm an obscure band kinda guy, I was already enthused. Now, to be honest, I was hoping only one of these references would truly check out. Kaamos were pretty middle of the road, and Nova (of Atlantis fame) could be quite boring in reality. But Nimbus - ah yes, now we're talking! Organ rock! Nothing fancy, just good ole' hard rock with plenty of juicy thick organ and loud lead guitar. And doggone if Aardvark didn't do just that, and zoom in on the ghost of Nimbus. Or Sweden's Rag I Ryggen. Sure, we'll throw in Blakulla since I'm in name-drop city here. 

Aardvark also recorded one track for the Kalevala epic compilation CD (2004). 

Ownership: CD: 2006 Mellow. Jewel case release with lyric booklet (in Finnish and English). Purchased new near the time of release.

2/1/07; 1/5/16 (new entry); 11/8/23

Eela Craig. 1971 Austria

Eela Craig were a band from Austria's third largest city of Linz, and their debut is completely different than the group's later symphonic keyboard heavy works from the mid 70s and beyond. On their debut they are absolutely dead center in the middle of the classic 1971 Krautrock sound, where the whirling and droning Hammond organ is king, with chirping flute melodies laid on top, and angry fuzz bursts are on the ready. Somewhere between Out of Focus, Orange Peel, Thirsty Moon, and My Solid Ground is where you'll find the sound of Eela Craig. This album is a certified classic, and very much earns its reputation. And staying power. These are the albums that bring us back again and again.

Ownership: CD: 1997 Garden of Delights. Jewel case. Comes with copious liner notes and four bonus tracks. As the label admits, the masters were lost, so the CD was mastered from a new LP copy, and it sounds like it. Apparently this is the first CD where they changed from Penner to Garden of Delights. 

1997 (first listen); 1/2/16 (review / new entry)

Aquelarre - Brumas. 1974 Argentina

Brumas is the 3rd album from Aquelarre, a band from Argentina that mirrors what was going on in Italy at the time. For those deep divers of Italian progressive rock, they'll know that the basis of some of the albums were singer-songwriter/romantic romps with long stretches of heavy instrumental rock thrown in at either predictable - or better - unpredictable times. And that's precisely what you get here. There are no head turning and flashy breaks here, so it's definitely workman like in its approach. Final track adds a nice jazzy touch to the above formula. A good album, borderline 3.0-3.5 (Gnosis 9-10), but giving the nod as the longer tracks are, as expected, more interesting. Satisfying overall, but not stellar.

Ownership: CD: 1997 Microfon/Sony. Standard jewel box release with booklet. Recent online acquisition (2016). Master tapes sound (with some hiss), with reprinted lyrics. Also has two bonus tracks from a 45 single. The first one is similar to the album proper while the latter is a throwaway pop number. Removed from collection after revisit (2023).

1/1/16 (new entry); 11/15/23

Berits Halsband ~ Sweden

Berits Halsband (1975)

Berits Halsband were an obscure band from the small coastal town of Hudiksvall, in central Sweden. Their relative isolation allowed the group an artistic freedom that ultimately created one of the greatest progressive jazz rock albums... ever.

In the mid 1970s, Sweden was harboring a handful of jazz bands looking to push the envelope beyond the usual bebop standards or electric noodling. These groups were very much influenced by the North American freaky fusion of Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. Collectives such as Ibis, Ablution, Egba, Kornet, and Archimedes Badkar were bringing that same kind of kinetic creativity up to Scandinavia. And one has to figure those long, dark winters played a role in creating hallucinations even among the most puritan of Lutherans wandering about in their show shoes.

This was the creative environment that Berits Halsband were operating in.  Their artistic contribution to the scene, and most distinctive mark as it were, would be the musical crossover to the indigenous Scandinavian folklore of the local wooden dance hall. Berits Halsband's brand of progressive music wasn't dished up through the Zappa blender (like the popular Samla Mammas Manna for example), but rather more of an introspective art school approach. As with other large scale ensembles, the eight piece Berits Halsband makes full use of its entire membership in unique ways. To underscore this point, consider the prominent use of trumpet, which is often filtered and heavily effected through a wah wah pedal. Their second lead instrument of choice is the lovely flute, often in unison with the trumpet, or as a peaceful solo alternative. And while Side 1 sounds like the best soundtrack to your dream Stockholm vacation, side 2 takes us closer to home, near the Arctic Circle, for some serious deep funk grooves. And here we find some added ring modulated electric piano combined with amazing fuzz electric guitar soloing. All this layered on top of a trance-like bass and a very busy percussion section. While the musical ingredients are familiar, the end result is entirely Berits Halsband - one of a kind.

In conclusion, Berits Halband's sole album is a strange bedfellow meeting of 1974 electric era Miles Davis, combined with the Swedish ethnic rock of Kebnekaise, and the psychedelic pyrotechnics of Flasket Brinner. Yes... it’s that good.

Ownership: 

1975 Forsaljud (LP). Acquired in 2003.

2015 MusicBazz (CD). Gatefold papersleeve with liner notes and archival photos. Acquired in 2015.

2/13/03; 8/28/07; 12/31/15 (review / new entry); 7/31/26

Navigator - Oceanic Empire. 2002 Denmark-Germany

Oceanic Empire is an essential slice of Berlin Skool Electronik Musik. The Danish/German combo offer up some of the finest sequences / guitar overlays one can find in the genre - competing mightily with legendary contemporaries such as Redshift and Radio Massacre International. 'Secret of the Cave' is about as perfect a realization of the entire genre as any track I've ever heard. If you're the sort who just can't get enough of that mid to late 70's Tangerine Dream sound - and apparently I'm one of these sorts - then do not hesitate to buy this CD when/if given the chance.

Ownership: CD: 2002 Groove Unlimited 

12/30/15 (new entry)

Subject Esq. ~ Germany

Subject Esq. (1972)

Like fellow countrymen Nosferatu, Subject Esq. were informed more by current British rock trends, than what was happening in the German underground. So if bands like Raw Material or Indian Summer are to your liking, then Subject Esq. will most certainly satisfy. I think it's a very good example of the sound, with high energy, creativity, and plenty of great period instrumentation. They would later change their name to Sahara and embark on a similar sound, while adding more complexity to the compositions.

The CD includes two live tracks totaling 28 minutes. The sound is of good bootleg quality, and the tracks are more jamming in nature, hardly surprising given the era. A nice addition and much welcomed, but not essential on its own. 

Ownership:  

1972 Epic (LP). Gatefold. 

1992 Ohrwaschl (CD). Jewel case edition. There are liner notes on the backplate, but they are in German. 

2/9/98 (acquired); 2008; 12/29/15 (review / new entry); 8/6/20

Troya ~ Germany

Eruption (1976)

When I first bought this CD on Lost Pipedreams - not long after it was released - I hated it, and sold it immediately. Years later, I had a chance to hear it again, and my opinion softened considerably. And now I have the Garden of Delights CD in my possession, and think the album is quite good actually. What changed? Well me of course... and thousands more albums have been heard with these ears. Helps form the time and place aspect of the music. So yes it's true what they say - hardly a progressive rock masterpiece. And for certain a lo-fi recording, and with the master tapes forever lost, no chance of improving upon that fact either. All of which doesn't make for a bad album really. Musically, it's quite interesting, very much a product of its time. Melodic, semi-progressive tracks, with excellent period analog instrumentation (Hammond Organ mainly with some nice fuzz tone guitar among other usual suspects). The performance is good, vocals are subpar, and honestly it reminds me more of what you would find in "basement America" than what is typically associated with high quality German progressive rock. Charmingly amateurish.

Former ownership: 2001 Garden of Delights (CD). Booklet with lengthy liner notes and photos. 

1994 (first acquired); 1//10; 12/29/15 (review / new entry); 11/17/23

Manfred Hubler / Siegfried Schwab ~ Germany

Vampiros Lesbos: Sexadelic Dance Party (1969)

Vampiros Lesbos is pretty much what you would expect from an album such as this: Psychedelic tinged jazz rock instrumentals. Nothing cutting edge, but good rhythms and wonderful early 70s analog tones. Schwab would go on to Embryo not long after, giving him future street cred. A fun set of music, and a good way to shock your neighbors next time you have them over for a glass of wine and cheese (literally and figuratively I suppose).

I did see the movie once, didn't even get through it. Pretty dull stuff, though I'm sure it was much more exciting in 1970.

Found this CD at a garage sale in the Fort Worth area. From a middle aged lady about my age. Sitting right next to Willie Nelson too. You never know what you'll find in people's closets.

Ownership: 1996 Motel (CD). Booklet with liner notes including from Jess Franco himself. Nice sound too. Very much recommended. 

8/27/10; 12/19/15 (acquired / review / new entry); 10/9/23

Topper ~ USA ~ Kansas City, Missouri

At Last (1977)

As stated in many places, I truly enjoy the underground rock scene of the great American Midwest and Topper are no different. This time hailing from Kansas City, we have a band that was typically over ambitious, and wonderfully amateurish. The Moog soloing in particular is inspired. There are a lot of ideas on their one album, and it's clear they had a few Uriah Heep, Nektar, Yes, and Led Zeppelin albums in their closet. Basically a mix of hard rock, progressive, and a little bit of FM/AOR too. And they get a little too close to plagiarism in a couple of places. 'Smile for the Clown' rips straight from 'Stairway to Heaven' incredibly. Guys, surely you were aware everyone knew this song already. Right?

Ownership: 1977 Scot (LP)

No reissues as of 2/21/25.

2009 (first listen); 5/29/10 (review); 12/11/15 (new entry)