KARMAKANIC & THE AGENTS OF MERCY - THE POWER OF TWO

Two worlds, two politicians (signifying President Nixon and President Mao sketched on the cover) and two bands shakin' hands, great symbiosis with bigger emphasis put on the better. These are the words best describing this unique performance between the two bands belonging in the Flower Kings family, having recorded live in California, USA. While I'm not a big fan of Agents of Mercy, the musicians performing in the group are undoubtedly great and talented, I definitely prefer the music of Karmakanic, which is more wanton than Agents of Mercy's neo-prog tendecies in music. The songs here can be apostrofised as being cut into sections on the disc having the first three coming from AOM's Fading Ghosts and the others from Karmakanic's second and third discs. The songs Afterglow and the Solo are new brats from the same-mixed vein, so to say. The performers are also mixed from both groups with Nick D'Virgilio known very well in the prog world recruited among them. The sounding of the album is superb as well as the way instruments sounded, with prefect artistic balance on the keyboards and guitars. Göran Edman's vocal style and voice-lines are in their best shape as always, and there's no complaint filed against the lenght of songs either. Where the Earth meets the Sky and Eternally (with the heartbreaking introduction) are endlessly beautiful even under the most rigorous lense, true heart and sonic embrace of life is there everywhere. This album would be characterised as excellent addition if all the songs were as so beautiful as the two ones mentioned.