OVER

They raised bar again. Then, they jumped over it. That's why this album named "Over".

I love "Laid to Rest" a lot. I thought it's hard to beat album. However, "Over" tops it in many ways. Cinematic elements gone for good, that makes album a solid piece of Crossover Prog. Compositions became more complex with new explorations. The song "Release" is an invasion into unique Sappor Aeternus territory, using whipping middle eastern vibes. Guest vocalist Agathe Labus was invited for this song (and for two more) to incarnate the idea as it meant to be.

Beside three more guests: Kalle Wallner (bass), Phil Paul Rissettio (drums) from RPWL and guitarist Martin Schnella (Flaming Row), line of instruments was largely expanded: flute, cello, violin, viola, acoustic & electric harp, tin whistle, marimba, gemshorn (similar to ocarina), and duclar (an ethnic kind of clarinet). Two more guys were taken to handle exotic stuff. All of that added multi-dimensionality and fullness to the sound.

Someone dislikes new vocalist Isa Fallenbacher. I'd say, I don't know what could be better. From the first notes I was defeated "Over" and "Over" again. In the opener it varies from very gentle to almost high intensity of Heather Thompson (Taping the Vein). Further - more, in the track 6 "Suspended" vocal is reaching ethereal highs, fallowing by flute extravaganza, cello and harp inclusions and solo guitar madness on a top of all of that and finishing with beautiful vocal again. Such a noticeable flute extravaganza, that Jon Anderson could be proud of, will appear once again on the track 11 "Memories" - epic song with similar to "Suspended" structure, where vocal gets soul-cleaning ability.

Here, I have to admit that "Over" had "Personal Effect" on me. After listening to it 3 times in a row, I felt like Isa took my soul somewhere very far into Heaven's Cleaners and brought it back absolutely clean. And, in the end, in the closer "Disappeared" my clean soul was finally "Laid to Rest".

It's hard to find the album, that would be so complex and so melodic, gentle and touching at the same time. Add to it nice Digipak cover with excellent sound quality disc, which is running ''Over" 75 min. - damn, it's a winner. 5 crossing "Over" stars.

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