GOTHIC IMPRESSIONS

I have the 10th anniversary Re-Edition which includes some great information about this album. Par says he had composed the bulk of this work back in the seventies, but by the time he wanted to release it the Prog movement had grown out of favour with the record labels, so it was temporarily put aside. Later Par joined The Classic Rock Society as their chairman and they presented the first festival with ANEKDOTEN, LANDBERK and ANGLAGARD (the holy trinity of Swedish Prog). Progressive music soon started to have a re-surgence in his native Sweden and he was able to not only get signed to a label but to have some amazing guests come in and help him record this beast. Four members of ANGLAGARD help him out here on drums, flute, lead guitar and bass, plus Roine Stolt adds acoustic guitar to one track. Many more guests help out as well. Cool to see that picture of Roine looking so young as well as all the pictures of the other guests. The music is Gothic and with the church organ, choirs and mellotron it does have a religious feel. Very orchestral and Classical sounding at times as well. I love how much this sounds like ANGLGARD at times too.This was critically acclaimed when it was released and I think anyone who's into Progressive music would agree that this is beyond brilliant. By the way Par is a multi-instrumentalist who is very gifted on the keyboards which soon became obvious to me after listening to this all last week.

"Dresden Lamentation" opens with church bells then a powerful orchestral-like section floods the soundscape. "Iconoclast' has this dramatic intro as drums pound. The vocal melodies sound incredible. Male vocals arrive before a minute. It settles after 2 minutes and the organ starts to lead before kicking back in with drums and a full sound. Killer ! Very powerful 5 minutes in as well. Angelic vocal melodies follow as it calms right down. Mellotron before 6 1/2 minutes. "Green Meadow Lands" is so tranquil and beautiful with flute and majestic sounds. Emotion. Vocals after a minute. The tempo picks up and Roine comes in on acoustic guitar around 2 minutes. It becomes so moving, I mean i'm broken around 2 1/2 minutes. It settles back as themes are repeated. My favourite track.

"The Cathedral" is epic at almost 20 minutes in length. Pipe organ to start which lasts for 2 minutes then a laid back soundscape with vocals takes over. It kicks in heavily and is very ANGLAGARD-like before 4 1/2 minutes. Huge bass here and fantastic drumming from the ANGLAGARD duo. Not worthy ! It settles after 8 minutes and mellotron follows.Themes are repeated and it ends much like it began. Amazing tune ! "Gunnlev's Round" opens with flute, lute and other intricate sounds as female vocal melodies join in.There's a Celtic vibe to this one. "Night On Bare Mountain" is a song that Par says "...is one of the most extraordinary works originating from Eastern Europe. I have since my childhood days had the idea of doing a version of this piece using modern instruments." It's atmospheric early before it kicks in quickly with a strong orchestral presence. Incredible ! The song changes tempo and mood often as we get an impressive instrumental disply to end this record.

A classic from Sweden.