SCENERIES

With a back catalogue including amazing albums such as Posthumous Silence and Artificial Paradise Sylvan is a band for whom I have significant respect. I was therefore slightly disappointed with their last release "Force of Gravity". Thus, I thought it unlikely they would return to the glorious heights of Posthumous Silence. I shouldn't have worried, Sceneries is a masterpiece.

Whilst Sceneries might not be the most immediately assessable of their albums, after a short while it has grown on me and grown significantly!

This is an album drenched in emotion. Split into five chapters, each has a distinct flavour and key elements running through them. Starting off with a very strong track, The fountain of Glow has some glorious guitar work, which ends far too soon. After Fountain the three chapters that follow grow in strength and intensity. The final track of Share the World brings Chapter 2 to a stunning conclusion. However Chapter 3 "Words You Hide" and Chapter 4 "Waters I Travelled" are my particular favourites with some lovely melodies and stunning vocals. If I had one criticism it would be that the final Chapter feels a little out of place and although it has strong songs, they don't reach the same height as those before.

Throughout this album the vocals are stunning and supported by excellent guitars, keyboards and drums. Lyrically Sylvan have never been stronger. I also love some of the string arrangement's which perfectly compliment the emotions running through the album.

The big question is whether this album surpasses PS and for me the jury is still out on that. However, for any Sylvan fan this purchase is an easy choice and I would heartily recommend the album to most prog fans.

Whilst it is still early in the year, it will take something exceptional to beat Sylvan's latest masterpiece.