BANISHED BRIDGE

Novalis is a band that holds a special place in my heart. Actuelly I found the band and loved them years before I became aware of the subject prog. Their late seventies' romantic rock was a style that directly touched my heart. Novalis developed a special form of symphonic rock that was very romantic and German. How I appreciated that they didn't sung in English. This, though, which is their first album from 1973 with the name "Banished Bridge" is totally different. Two years after they started to sing in German and paly in their special grand way. 1973 though were they more inspired than later by English symphonic rock bands with a more groovy and dark approach. Especially inspired by organ driven bands such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

"Banished Bridge" had I a bit harder to get into than other Novalis' record because I wasn't used to it. But as well as later in the band's carreer is the keyboards one of the strongest isntruments. They aren't as wide and monumental but more like piano concerto's keyboards. The cover is just white white blue letters and the musicians that were present are Hartwig Biereichel on drums and percussion, Lutz Rahn on organ, mellotron,piano and synthesizers, Heino Schünzel on bass and Jürgen Wenzel on guitar and vocals. This album has many ingredients that should make a superb prog album and they do that. The organ work is marvelous as well as drums and bass and the virtuoso themes are really worth listening to. The only thing that lowers the total impression of "Banished Bridge" is the vocals that not really withstand the pressure. A powerful vocalist with bigger concentration on texts should have made this a five star record. But I am very sure with my four stars. This is definitely a record to examine if you like the sound of classic prog. My advice to you too is to continue to their later records and explore the sound of romantic rock! Best track is hard to pick, they are all good!