COSMIC CENTURY

I am exploring the German symphonic band Wallenstein's discography and untill now I am more than statisfied whit what I have heard, because it is really high class on this music. This third record "Cosmic Century" doesn't either make me disappointed. Actuelly I think this is their best record of the three I have heard. Cosmic Century contains the most you could want from a progressive rock band. They mixture symphonic passages with heavy rock and jazzy crazyness. If we add good vocals and excellent instrumentation on this it will be a perfect mix.

Cosmic Century was recorded 1973 and the cover picture is blue and shows an unsharp band picture. The cover is actuelly among the worst components on the album. Bill Barone plays guitar, Jürgen Dollase keyboards, mellotron, vibraphon och vocals, Harald Grosskopf drums and percussion, Dieter Meier bass and Joachim Reiser plays violin.

The record is even and every song has a high quality and is worth to hear; therefore I recommend them all to all of you. "The Symphonic Rock Orchestra ? Rory Blanchford" is a creative starter with something for many tastes(8/10). "Grand Piano" then is a fantastic piece with mostly piano playing, I would say massive symphonic piano playing(8/10). "Silver arms" is a nice rock song with strings and cool synthesizer sounds(8/10). "The Marvellous Child" though isn't as fantastic as the other songs here(6/10). It is more common but "Song of Wire" is lovely with a typical seventies feeling and nice isntrumentation(8/10) and in the end "The Cosmic Couriers Meet South Philly Will" which is a fantastic song(8/10).

Over all, every second here is pleasant listening and Wallenstein is a surprising band for me which I will continue to explore. This record will get a strong four by me, but perhaps you think it's even better!