Since the release of Addicted (see review) in 2014 I have been following the musical career of German composer/multi-instrumentalist Oliver Rüsing and his musical project KariBow. Since that time we have reviewed many of their albums on our website. Albums which always have a high musical standard and are very enjoyable to listen to. Therefore I was really glad that Oliver approached me to review their latest album PanTerrania. Again a double album with a concept to follow. Just like many in the past. Rüsing had the following to say of the meaning of PanTerrania and its concept:" The Greek prefix pan- means "all" or "involving all". Apart from the fact that I was looking for a new album title that had never been used before by anyone, pan- seemed to be the perfect addition to the word Terra or Terrania to outline the fact that everything is connected. However, our today's world sadly seems to prove that connection alone isn't enough to guarantee a peaceful coexistence in the life of human beings. Therefore the isolated elements in the main cover artwork which are still connected by flexible tubes. It seems to me that it's not enough to know about this factual, objective connection and the corresponding causes and effects, but to actually feel it. Without this basic feeling of unity and togetherness, separating feelings allow us to completely fail as humans and even start killing each other, destroying the great gift of life, happiness and all its magic". He chose to come up with a double album with each disc having a separate title; Worlds Of Illusion (disc1) and The Last Illusian (disc2). He had written enough music for three discs, and PanTerrania is the first completely newly written album since Age Of Amber came out in 2021, so he decided it was worth the effort to put together a double album after more than three years. Disc One consists of nine single tracks that all have to do with illusions and how to cope with them. Disc Two is one long suite entitled The Last Illusian, which consists of ten parts. Its subject is rather similar to Disc One. He made up the word Illusian to describe a protagonist who's trying to get along with the fact that some of his dreams and goals eventually turned out to be illusionary ideas. As on many of his previous albums Oliver was also responsible for most of the instrumentation and vocal parts throughout both albums. Meaning playing keyboards, guitars, bass and drums on most of the parts that you can hear on PanTerrania. But as on many of his previous albums Oliver invited many guest singers for PanTerrania and instrumentalists. I will try to mention them while going through h the album and describing what is happening music wise. Let's start with the first disc. This is a collection of compositions which are less complex music wise compared to the songs on the second disc. It starts with a short instrumental piece, the title track, which has a very mysterious opening which leads to the start of the first part of the album's concept with the title Worlds Of Illusion. It is followed by Simplify Yourself. A great sing-along tune with great guitar solos by Oliver himself. Also follow up, Ordinary Gods has great guitar parts and is mainly an up tempo tune on which Andy Tillison (The Tangent) plays an excellent keyboard solo. After this we get into more quiet territories on Tangram. Back to a more up tempo and sing-along with Genes From Another World on which you can hear guitarist Ian Crichton (Saga) doing a excellent solo. Follow up Behind My Eyes is again more mellow and mainly performed on the piano by Oliver himself. Next up In The Fragments has some fantastic sound fragments and another great solo by Mr. Tillison on the keyboards. A special song is next. Heaven is dedicated to Oliver's mother who passed away last year, just before the final production and the release date of PanTerrania. It's a mixed up tune with mellow and more up tempo parts. Albedo ends the first disc. With a song title like this, it's inevitable not to think of the Greek multi-instrumentalist Vangelis. However it has music wise no similarity whatsoever. On this tune heavy guitar parts are mixed with more mellow parts and has again a great guitar solo by Oliver himself. The second disc can be considered as one whole musical piece of music divided into 10 different parts. At the start of it you can hear a person walking and opening a door which leads to the start of second part of the album with the title The Last Illusian. This track, One Touch (Part I), is the perfect opening tune for what's to come music wise. It is followed by Blossom Black (Part II) which has a great instrumental break with fantastic guitar parts. Also follow up The Leak (Part III) has great guitar parts by Philipp Dauenhauer from Oliver's live band. Excellent guitar- and synthesizer solos can be enjoined on the next part which has the title Cinderella (Part IV). All done by Oliver himself. Next up is Time (Part V) on which Charlie Bramald (Ghost Of The Machine, Shadows On Mercury) delivers some fantastic vocal parts. Female lead vocals are next on Illusian (Part VI). The vocals of Monique van der Kolk (ex-Harvest) are the highlights on this musical piece with nice instrumental parts. On follow up A Little While (Part VII) has for the first time the spotlights on Andy Pendant, who plays some exciting saxophone parts. Kind of reggae rhythms are next. On this track Cupid Calling (Part VIII), you can enjoy strong vocals of John Jagger (cousin of Mick Jagger) next to another great guitar solo by Philipp Dauenhauer. Also on the follow up Lords Of The Big Shame (Part IX) a nice guitar solo can be enjoyed. But also strong performances of Nic Koray (vocals) and Andy Pendant (sax) can be enjoyed on this rather mellow tune. Nothing Shall Remain (Part X) ends the second disc in style. Strong contributions again from Monique van der Kolk (vocals), Nic Koray (vocals) and Andy Pendant (sax). After the final notes of this track once again you can hear somebody walking and closing the door to end the album. PanTerrania is an album of which Oliver and his fellow guests can be very proud of. Because he once again delivered a double album which doesn't have any weak tracks at all. Everything is worth listening to throughout the entire two discs of music. Music which is most of all advisable for people who love a mix of complex prog with more sing-along prog. Mentioning any names is not easy because KariBow has certainly a style of its own. But I guess if you love Saga and more of that kind of music you have to get PanTerrania right away. And if you are already a fan and have albums of KariBow in your collection you can't afford not to buy this one!!! I can only say highly recommended to everybody who loves progressive rock in general. Well done Oliver! **** Henri Strik (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
