SONIQ THEATER

After the demise of Rachel's Birthday in 1997 keyboard player Alfred Mueller decided not to be in a band again, but instead would create a studio only project where he could play all of the instruments. Now, Alfred is not a true multi-instrumentalist but instead is a keyboard player who then uses samples and patches of other instruments. Now, some of the sounds deployed are not as bad as you might think, although to my ears it will never be possible to replicate the feel and textures provided by a band using 'proper' instruments, and although it will always detract away from the sound as a whole this is more than listenable.

Although this album came out in 2000, I am hearing it for the first time some twelve years later after Alfred sent me his back catalogue, and my immediate impression is how similar this is to some of Wakeman's rock ensemble recordings. There is a real feel of melody and intertwining of instruments. Alfred has also done the best that he can to make the drums sound acoustic and 'real' instead of just providing a basic back beat. The overall feel is that this is an album worth investigating. www.soniqtheater.de