Maybe unbelievable, but true, Swiss symphonic prog band Flame Dream, return with their seventh album after a 38-year hiatus. The new album is called Silent Transition, and the band are back in the original line-up with extra guitarist Alex Hutchings, a British jazz/fusion/rock guitar picker who has toured, among others with no one less than Steven Wilson. The album opens with a track called No Comfort Zone and this one already sets the tone/trend for the rest of the songs, as it is an almost epic symphonic rock song with a "lovely" groove and the sound of Flame Dream could be described as a blend of the sound of bands like UK, Supertramp and Van der Graaf Generator. Next is the title track featuring a great guitar riff and two excellent guitar solos, making this track a must listen to for guitar fans. Velvet Clouds is also one of the highlights of this remarkable "comeback" album; especially the instrumental middle part which is a true musical symphonic rock showcase of drummer Peter "Pit" Furrer, bass player Urs Hochuli, keyboarder Roland Ruckstuhl, singer Peter Wolf and the earlier mentioned guitar picker Hutchings. The quieter piano ballad Out From The Sky, the shortest song of the album, features a rather weird sacral vocal passage and it is a track that I would probably skip sometimes while listening to this album. Follow up Signal On The Shores is an instrumental highlight featuring very melodic and intricate prog rock music. Finally, the listener is treated to the longest song of the album called Winding Paths. This epic song, clocks in over 14 minutes and it is the milestone on this album, all excellent musical ingredients from Flame Dream come together in this impressive track; check out the bombastic orchestral end! Overall, Flame Dream has made a more than excellent symphonic prog/rock album, definitely their best work yet and so Silent Transition is a MUST listen for fans of symphonic prog. Listening tip: Signal On The Shores. **** Martien Koolen (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
