SONGS FROM THE LIAR'S LAIR

"Songs From The Liar's Lair" is clearly the best album from Finland's Ageness. From the opening chords of Martial Arts, it's evident that these guys are serious and furious. This album puts Ageness certainly to a crossover prog cathegory as the music is all very symphonic with a darker edge. With the new guitarman Speedy Saarinen, the band has managed to create an extraordinary album that undoubtedly has that 'classic' feel in it. It's like this music has been around there somewhere, lurking in the psychic airwaves waiting to be released. The melodies also have a certain extra quality, which separates these songs from almost everything I've heard after the 70's golden era of prog. The other thing you notice that the quality of production and arrangements are well thoughtout and performed brilliantly. Tommy Eriksson's vocals have never sounded better and now I discovered his outstanding talent with all the nuances and mood changes he delivers with his singing. Keyboard sounds have been selected carefully to fit the ever changing soundscapes on this album. Some strange sounding string instruments are included and a very David Cross-like violin solo on The Lament Of Ghosts. The rhythmic elements are very powerful and Kari Saaristo's performance is solid and sometimes even wreckless. Jari Ukkonen on bass guitar delivers some ultrametallic throbbings when necessary, but also takes care of the lower frequencies. For me personally it's hard to pinpoint a specific song, as the music flows fluently and I like to listen this album in one go! Maybe the closing song (and I don't mean that hidden track with no index) Liar's Lair has something magical in it, that it may bring success beyond these uptight musical boundaries in the modern hasty world. You can almost smell the freshness in Ageness :) So maybe the album of the year 2009? Highly recommended!