In the year 2021 I reviewed the fourth studio album of the Belgium band Transport Aerian. Titled Skywound (see review). It is a concept album with music that is a mix of prog rock with metal and softer melodic passages, and I really liked that effort of this Belgian progressive rock band. Now, three years later multi-instrumentalist Hamlet, Stefan Boeykens (guitars), Paul De Smet (drums) and Umut Eldem (keys) release their first live album recorded during a private show in Ghent, Belgium. Live In Ghent features eleven tracks of which four - Shall Not Be, Lunatic, Falling 20 and the title track - are from their last album Skywound, and to me these are the best songs on this live album. Transport Aerian's music is very intense and live they sound very impressive indeed, however you will have to get used to Hamlet's voice as that really is an acquired taste indeed. The song Inspire from Transport Aerian's debut album Bleeding is almost a blend of an Editors, Tool, Genesis, and Steven Wilson track. Full Body Access, from their album Darkblue features a rather catchy beat, while the best song of the album Lunatic, features a great guitar solo and obvious references to progressive music from the seventies. Overall, if you do not know Transport Aerian then Live In Ghent is a good album to get acquainted with this extraordinary band indeed. Listening tip: Shall Not Be. ***+ Martien Koolen (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
