ATOMIC SWAP

I was very surprised to hear that Timelock intends to release another album this year. Their last release came out less than a year ago and it would seem that after its release there would be some break, some tour, some promotion... And yet the first press announcement of this album sounded like this: "(...) The new album contains a collection of 10 newly recorded songs, each of which tells its own story. However, what really sets "Atomic Swap" (title of the new album - note by R.P.) apart is the detailed exchange of ideas that took place between the eight musicians who make up Timelock, resulting in an album that embodies the essence of true collaboration. Each of the ten songs on "Atomic Swap" serves as a storytelling tool, taking listeners on a captivating journey. Whether you are a long-time fan or a newcomer to the Timelock sound, we promise that this will be an album that will affect you."

The title itself ? "Atomic Swap" ? is intriguing and denotes the concept of atomic swaps. "(?) Similar to the world of cryptocurrencies, where the exchange of digital assets is revolutionized by a time-locked smart contract, known as "atomic swap," Timelock invites you on their own musically transformative journey. The result is an album that reflects the fluid and secure nature of blockchain-inspired transactions" ? this is the explanation of the album's title posted by the band on their website. Will you agree that on the one hand it sounds intriguing, and on the other? hmm, incomprehensible? But please do not be discouraged, I will not delve into the nature of currency transactions in this description, nor encourage you to take a detailed interest in this subject. Let's take a closer look at the musical content of this (I guess it should be said in modern terms) silver disc.

"Atomic Swap" is chronologically the eighth album by Timelock, a band that has existed (with short breaks) since 1992, when their first album, "Louise Brooks", was released by the now defunct but then dynamic record label SI Music. Before going on hiatus, they managed to release one more album - "The Dawn" (1994) and their next release had to wait until 2002. Then the band disappeared into the depths of musical silence again and reappeared in a new, five-person line-up, releasing the album "Buildings" in 2008. Another four-year break brought another line-up change. From a quintet, the band transformed into an octet, and its new members were two vocalists - Coby van Oorschot and Laura Eradus. With an eight-person line-up, the band released two more albums - "Sygn Yn" (2022) and "Contemporary Vintage" (2023). This new tradition of releasing records 'year after year' has resulted in their latest work ? the sixty-minute album 'Atomic Swap'.

The album begins with the three longest compositions - the eleven-minute opening track "Inuit", the almost eight-minute "Stranger Within" and the almost ten-minute "Baychimo". Their common feature, and a feature of the entire album, is the participation of three vocalists. The band consists of: Martin Hendriks (guitars), Julian Driessen (keyboards), Arjan van den Bosch (orchestrations, piano), Rob Boshuijzen (drums) and David Guurink (bass guitar). The vocal side of the individual tracks is handled by three vocalists: Ruud Stoker, Laura Eradus and Coby van Oorschot. This creates an unusual image: three vocalists, two keyboardists, a guitarist and a rhythm section. This allows the band to generate a really clear and audible musical power.

Timelock is not afraid of very strong and distinct keyboard solos, which add expressiveness and strength to individual compositions. Music reinforced by the vocalists' voices attacks the listener in a strong, yet pleasant, way. There is no room here for whispers and calm plunking of instruments. From the first second we are dealing with a strong guitar supported by the rhythm section, which, combined with a very distinct keyboard tone and emerging orchestrations, creates a highly energetic wall of sounds for vocal performances. The main vocal lines are given to Ruud Stoker, but both vocalists can also be heard perfectly. If we want to compare the band's music to some other rock group, the closest association will probably be the Canadian Saga, although in all the above-mentioned songs we will find elements from well-known European rock music.

The next compositions are 'typical' five-minute songs. Like the first three, they too (with the exception of the song 'Lost In Your Mind') are based on a strong rhythm, bombastic keyboards and a distinct guitar. 'Lost In Your Mind' is a certain exception. Firstly, it is a ballad, a bit calmer, gentler. Secondly, we have a change of lead vocalist ? Laura Eradus takes Ruud Stoker's place and? she does a good job. Despite the ballad tempo, the whole song is a decidedly sonically strong song, which draws the listener in from start to finish with its arrangement based on the opposites 'strong/gentle'. Please listen to the beginning of the song 'Artificial Intelligence (Akili Ya Bandia)' with its slightly oriental opening melodeclamation in Swahili or the earlier composition entitled 'Universe' with its gentle synthesizer theme.

The seventh track in the sequence is "A Passage To Rapa Nui". It begins with an instrumental introduction lasting over a minute. Timelock is not afraid of such arrangements. "Until Darkness Calls" - a nice rock track with alternating female and male vocals. However, you may have a certain 'problem' with the track "Watch The Crime (Do We Care)". I am not sure if the initial instrumental part did not make me think of bands like Mystery and similar ones.

The last and shortest track on the album is the instrumental, three-minute ending of "Insomnia", which allows to show the technical skills of all the band members. Yes, it is still, like all the songs on the album, a very decisive arrangement, strong and rock. There are still no long stretches or slowdowns here.

Who is this album for? For all those looking for songs with a decidedly strong rock provenance. The power of synthesizers and guitars gives the album a slightly symphonic dimension, and the vocal trio really does a good job of creating atmosphere. This is not an album from the series of atmospheric, sad or deeply moving. It does not stir up any deeply hidden associations or experiences. However, it gives something very valuable: the pleasure of communion with decisive, defined and strong music that sets the foot in motion and delights the spirit... of the one searching for nice, progressive sounds.

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