Last year I wrote about the first two Entering Polaris albums Atlantean Shores and And Silently The Age Did Pass (2023, see review). The Belgian musical project that has seen the day of light since 2014. It is the brainchild of Tom'Tee' Tas, a lyricist/producer and above all a guitarist who used to offer his skills to bands such as Ostrogoth, Thorium, 23 Acez, Quantum Fantay and Neo Prophet. At the time I wrote that all in all they are fine albums if you are open to this kind of music. Furthermore I wrote to wait now for the other double album Myths In Motion and Songs Of Ivory And Obsidian. Which is even more suitable for lovers of progressive rock. Well that time has come now. So what to expect on this new double album release? Myths In Motion and Songs Of Ivory And Obsidian reflects again two completely different musical styles and once again Tom managed to get a series of prominent artists to contribute on his compositions. The earlier released Atlantean Shores (June 2023) explored the world of six string with melodic/progressive metal, while the fully acoustic And Silently The Age Did Pass (June 2023) was more dark and atmospheric. On Myths In Motion (September 2024) we have the seven-string guitars which create a modern, heavy and progressive whole. Finally on Songs Of Ivory And Obsidian (September 2024) can be seen as a delicate and emotional and is dominated by the piano. As on the first double release, the new albums feature many familiar names. This time they are the internationally renowned Tim 'Ripper' Owens (Judas Priest, Iced Earth), Damian Wilson (Ayreon, Star One, Threshold, Arena), Tom Englund (Evergrey), Roy Khan (Conception, Kamelot), Thomas Vikström (Therion) and Georg Neuhauser (Serenity). But also lesser known names of Henrik Fevre (Anubis Gate), Arno Menses (Subsignal, Sieges Even), Nick Holleman (Powerized), John Yelland (Judicator), Sindre Nedland (In Vain), Jeffrey Rademakers (Spartan), Audrey Dandeville (Irradiance), Benny Zors' Willaert (23 Acez, Thorium), Louis Soenens (Aeveris, Fields Of Troy), Anneleen Olbrechts (Thorium) and Lynn Louise Pauwels (Kayamandi) joined the recording studios. So a full stellar star line up is completed by some other rather unknown singers which are by no way lesser. Once again Tom got some help from Louis Van der Linden on drums and percussion on both albums. Tom himself played on the electric, acoustic and bass guitars. But Joris van Daele did some guitar solos as well on Myths In Motion. This is the electric album, recorded with seven-string guitars so that the sound is harder, more forceful, even darker at many moments, more aggressive. In short, an absolutely heavy album, with dark and powerful riffs, aggressive at times, and all this, without losing the essence based on melodies, on elaborate and extensive songs that cover all musical genres. But I do know that as on Atlantean Shores the music will not be loved by many Progheads. Because at first many lovers of progressive rock may not like the fast speedy guitars and sometimes screaming singers. But if you listen well enough you will discover the beauty of the clever mix between those fast speedy guitars and sometimes screaming singers and the more mellow melodic acoustic parts with fine strong beautiful vocals. I gave it a chance and in the end loved it a lot. The second album Songs Of Ivory And Obsidian brings something completely different. It comes music wise more in the direction of progressive rock as you could hear on And Silently The Age Did Pass. Therefore lovers of this genre will enjoy this album more than the one I mentioned earlier. You might say it is more mellow and laid back and completely acoustic. Instead of using instruments such as contrabass, cello, piano, violin classical and acoustic guitars on And Silently The Age Did Pass it is the Grand Piano that takes the lead on Songs Of Ivory And Obsidian. It is most of all Franky de Mangelaere on piano who steals the show. But also David van Ransbeeck on violin, Karolina Prieels on cello, Marteen Taelman on double bass and the earlier mentioned Louis on drums and percussion who are rather important for bringing this album to a very high level music wise. Furthermore the lead singers that give their voices to this album are giving all a great performance. Just as on the other album of course. I will not go into detail about all of the compositions that you will hear on both albums. But I can tell you that musically, we find ourselves again with two completely different albums. One electric and another more intimate one with piano. Both of the highest musical level possible. As for Myths In Motion you get on the wrong musical direction when you hear the opening tune To Quarters Vast And Furious. It's starts in a kind of classical way. More progressive rock so to speak. So at first you think this is the album for the progheads. But after that the heavy guitars and rhythm beats start and you know this is the metal album. Highlight on this album is without the Clockwork. It lasts 20 minutes and is divided into ten chapters where the entire cast give their all, turning the song into an absolute work of art. As for the other album it is more difficult to point out any musical highlights because in one way the entire album is for me one musical highlight. All the songs have beautiful piano parts on which all of the involved singers give amazing performances vocal wise. In short you can say that we deal here with two more great albums from the hand of musical maestro that can easily go separate ways music wise. Sometimes heavy as can be and sometimes so tender and gentle. Everything on both releases are well made, well written and well crafted. It just doesn't matter if it is electric or acoustic. This is art with a capital A. And this kind of art is captivating all the way. Entering Polaris rules in metal land and progressive rock land! **** Henri Strik (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
