NIGHTTIME BIRDS

In "Nighttime Birds" the band combines Heavy Metal (though less so than their previous release, Mandylion), with atmospheric compositions and beautiful melodies. This album bridges their former Metal days with the later-day Progressive/Experimental Rock.

Uses of quiet-loud playing, epic synths, varied instruments (tribal drums, Hammond, and some odd solo instruments on track #8) nice use of distorted guitars, and generally a better production are evident throughout. You can say that the band took another step towards Prog in this album...

Jelmer Wiersma, whose simple yet effective Metal-ish guitar solos left a huge mark on Mandylion, does a good job here. In later albums, after he left the band, they neglected the soloing and used the guitars mainly for experimentation and textures.

Frank Boeijen on synths and piano does a great job in every track, but mostly on "The May Song", and "On Most Surfaces".

And Anneke van Giersnegen, the band's awesome vocalist, well, just keeps imroving. Just listen to the vocals and backing vocals on the title track. Amazing.

Another great album from this great band !