NINE LIVES

To be honest, I've been looking for new bands, sounds and musical proposals being the nordic countries those who are at the spearhead in recent years. Previously to this record, I've never heard anything from finnish' Von Hertzen Brothers. So if there's any lack of consideration or musical gaps from my part, my bad and humble apologies. Truthfully there are not really new sounds or proposal among the songs, but there's definitely preserves the progressive spirit.

The album starts with grunge-alternative tune's "Insomniac" there's a little from Porcupine Tree mood, perhaps a little Ritual also. Nothing new, still sounds fresh. The tri decided to continue with a ballad via "Flowers and Rust", here the atmosphere waves up and down among sections plenty emotional. Good tune. "Coming Home" busts into a more commercial side, almost into the nineties, yet functional and funny. This grunge and kind of metal trend follows with the bleaker and spectral "Lost in Time". The moog effects and the ghostly vibes works effectively along the song. An almost Ayreon atmosphere leads the way. It's a wonderful work. That mood follows trough out "Separates Forever" calmer and darker, introduces into a kind of grief, the reverberation tears emotionally patiently shoving the listener with desperate squeal a la Licari. And then the energy burps back within acoustic guitar arpeggios and running horses' piano. The vocal harmonies run as well following the pace at the drums and bass. All follows into a constant rhythm, then explodes frantic again to fade in a clam chord. "World without" is the more progressive song, with an a cappella intro, nearly Dear Hunter, turns quiet and the somber piano bridges for a calm and hopeful tune alluding Queen harmonies and ballads. A little more folky change for "Black's Heart Cry" half Ritual half Jethro Tull, they explores their musical skills for native sounds. The album ends with another spatial and ethereal atmosphere with "Prospect for Escape" once again the indie style and PT influences comes in the stage. Then again, there have find the way to print their own signature among those influences. And the spirit goes flying around the room.

There's a special edition with three bonus tracks: "The Climb" the indie mood fringes with the folk rhythm. Pleasant but not quite interesting. "Do What You Want With Me" is more like a demo try for the grunge-metal tunes in the record. "Between the Lines" the most callable of the bonus, works like an alternate ending. There's still PT influence and spatial mood, but has not the same strength. Yet you can enjoy it as well.

The whole record staggers, lacking of a definitive direction, but all their qualities lies under emotional sheets. They manage to keep the progressive soul and mentality and to became accessible enough for all those newbies out there.