TO SHATTER ALL ACCORD

I nearly overlooked this album, because it was released approximately at the same time as Opeth's Heritage and Steven Wilson' Grace For Drowning. But luckily I listened to it now, and, yes, this album immediately shot to first place on my inofficial private list of most awesome releases of 2011, and pushed my so far favourite of that year, the debut of Herd of Instinct, to second place.

I never heard of the band 'Discipline' before, and when I heard the name I thought it might have something to do with King Crimson's same titled album. And indeed, the influences are there, not only from the Belew era, but very strong from the 70's King Crimson as well. There are also influences from Van der Graaf Generator, Genesis and Pink Floyd.

Beside the traditional instruments (guitars, bass, drums, keyboards) there is a strong use of saxophone, bits of violin, mellotron, and mellow piano interludes. The vocals are very intense and remind me sometimes of Peter Gabriel, Peter Hammill or young Ian Gillan. Especially in the final section of 'Rogue' the vocals remind me of Ian Gillan singing 'Gethsemane'.

'When She Dreams...' starts quietly in a jazzy mood and then slowly increases the dynamics similar to King Crimson's 'Starless, and in the final section the Beatles' 'I want you (she's so heavy)' comes to mind. It is probably my favourite song on this overall dark sounding album.

This album was the reason for me to get the other two studio albums of Discipline as well, and I think that you can call me a fan now. Next, I will also try to get the live albums. Indeed, if you need more discipline, go out and buy this album! (Thank you, Mr. Maestro, for this cunning joke!)