DARK ANGEL

In 2007 the six-piece UK formation The Reasoning released their debut-album entitled Awakening, to me it still sounds as very pleasant and accessible modern progressive rock, and with a tasteful colouring by the guitar and keyboards. My highlight is the long and compelling final composition featuring guest musician Steve Rothery on guitar (like he did for French Arrakeen). He delivers his trademark of the early Marillion years, a moving solo with howling runs. Meanwhile The Reasoning has released five studio-albums (their latest is Adventures In Neverland from 2012), one live album and two DVD's. This review is about their second effort entitled Dark Angel, from 2008.

The sound on Dark Angel is in the vein of the debut CD Awakening, but more dynamic and varied. The alternating first track Dark Angel sounds very exciting: fat and propulsive guitar riffs with bombastic keyboards, a mellow climate with twanging acoustic guitar, soaring keyboards and sensitive electric guitar, and a spectacular final part with bombastic keyboards, vocal harmonies and a fiery guitar solo.

It's a very convincing start of an excellent album with nine elaborate compositions that deliver lots of pleasant moments and interesting musical ideas.

Strong and varied guitar work (including use of volume pedal) in Sharp Sea.

A synthesizer ' and acoustic guitar solo in Call Me God?

Fiery and howling guitar runs in the compelling In The Future.

A strongly build-up in Breaking The 4th Wall featuring wonderful interplay between warm piano and fiery electric guitar.

And fluent shifting moods in the excellent final composition A Musing Dream. The one moment compelling with powerful guitar and flashy synthesizer flights. Or dreamy with acoustic rhythm guitar, piano and duo-vocals. The other moment an exciting bombastic conclusion featuring synthesizer runs, harmonica and howling guitar, goose bumps!

A special element in The Reasoning is again the attention for the omnipresent vocals, from female and male to duo- vocals, this gives a very accessible touch to the music and reminds me of bands like Magenta and Mostly Autumn.

I am sure many progheads will be delighted about this melodic and accessible modern progrock album. It contains very strong guitarwork, tasteful keyboards, pleasant vocals and a good balance between dreamy and bombastic climates. A big hand for The Reasoning.