VON HERTZEN BROTHERS

'The Relapse' starts electric, jerky rocker title, catchy, an energetic bass like Alice in Chains, Queens of The Stone Age did so well, on the edge of the progressive sound; a sax that belches, a fat sound, machine gun on stand and the millimeter harmony. Final fade a little annoying without soul there. 'A Good Life' the air stabilizes, a zest of Pineapple Thief for the anthem and its heady chorus; a tempo eyeing the grandiloquent airy ballad, effective. 'Starlings' in 4/4 rock rhythm and the dancing Arabizing verse; a rock talking about clouds of bird flights, a sax solo, the energetic synth in musical image to imitate this art of perpetual movement. 'Ascension Day' same tune at the beginning, we go on Pulp, Oasis, in short rock-pop worthy of a Springsteen while there is a nod to Dylan's blues. The groovy synth riff makes you move from the chair, take the arm of the neighbor and dance on the fly for this hymn piece as desired. 'Beneath the Silver Stars' languorous air spleen at the beginning reminding me of Coldplay, Muse, the sound eyeing Barclay James Harvest for the marshmallow feeling of the 70s. The classical contribution with the flight of the violins amplifying. The chiseled guitar solo bringing back to those of Charlie of Simple Minds. Today's prog title juggling with the atmospheres; solemn.

'Tightrope Walker' starts again with the explosive, jerky rock sound that doesn't leave you indifferent; festive, fruity rock with metronomic drums and a little tweaked progressive variation. The nervous finale, tense on the edge of hard rock to disconcert a little more on a heavy Beatlesian Love, love, love. 'The Change' on the technical side a groove in 6/8, on the sensation side the fracture between the laid-back folk verse and the grandiose heavy chorus and the warm voice that makes you shiver. A piece that rises and pours the sax solo on grandiloquent choruses, emotion. 'Separation' the piano interlude on a crystalline voice, filled with doubt; a little progressive meditative interlude. 'Snowstorm' begins the drum pad in a gallop with the guitar and choruses around reminiscent of Led Zeppelin. The slow tempo with an epic atmosphere, slow, laid-back, reflecting the heavy crescendo. The melodic solo oozes modern prog without frills but with emphasis and height making you regret the other tracks not quite prog-sounding enough. 'Wait for Me' and this little wind hanging up these two titles; a flight of piano notes bringing the progression from the start. The acoustic guitar launches the austere, heartbreaking ballad with the violin in the background. The voice catches, it seems like there is a Hertzen in the living room to sing for me; the final solo, indescribable, fine, chiseled, crystalline.

A raw, simple but still captivating album. Beautiful and great timeless music for this extraordinary group.

Was I mistaken! Yes, and very much so!

This album is truly a testament to the kind of masterpiece Von Hertzen Brothers have shown time and time again they are more than capable of crafting together. A dynamic rock anthem album with wild progressive overtones!

1. Relapse - Dirty, fast, back to the early mid and late punky 80s mixed with mid 90s chugger- but wait it's like Motorhead there for a second. Perhaps Ace of Spades. But wonderful VHB take it all on - a release from it all - we fly into a gorgeous escape. This is the day a lucky monk escapes from the monastery. As a bass player i have to give total respect to this journey. Add to it they kidnapped the guy who played Sax on Red Alert in the Blue Forest and fired him out of the cannon. This is pure fantasy rock, punk, 90s, 80s, new wave, Krautrock, headbanging insanity. Jail House Hertzen !

2. A Good Life - We get a small moment to relax but not for too long. The inner reflection of VHB - classic lyrically poetic with a rock ballad style - but not the mushy kind. The keyboard synth is magnificent - the production superb - the wonderful thing about this band is the meaning behind the perfectly placed lyrics. As many reviewers have mentioned to date, this is a risk reward album, you get out of it what you put in. This takes time to explore; and then some more.

3. Starlings - OK here we go back the the VHB song Jerusalem era, the War is Over album - but ... wooahh ! Way more about real future or the here and NOW. We were just playing with war back then. Dangerous times we are living in and we may not get through this - but somehow we will. The continuing theme and use of nature to echo the world we live in, the uniqueness of animals and of the beauty and wonders of life. This track is perfection. Not only did i imagine starlings flying around in formation - I became one of them and flew.

4. Ascension Day - By now on most normal albums there has been some kind of relief or calming down. Not on this one. First 4 songs are a "banger" as they say these days :) This one is an anthem song! Not sure who it is meant for, but I am in ! I may be a little older than VHB but i can clearly say - we need an anthem song right now - back in the early 80s it was all about those kind of songs. Queen really knew how to do them, and bands such as Oasis. The Beatles had done some in years gone by but the 60s and 70s really didn't have everyone together like the 80s did in the musical media sense of the word. I love it that although VHB are in far away Finland they produce world togetherness, lyrically and musically. In a time when we are all divided by those who wish us to be divided - this is very refreshing.

5. Beneath the Silver Stars - Finally - there is some escape from the intensity - strings and melody and the wonderful VHB harmonies- its time for introspection. Once again, we are back to nature, the stars, the sky, the flying in our dreams. Love and what the future could bring - we are still hopeful. In the late 60s we were still thinking of the moon and astronauts. How space is still like the ocean - we are growing - can we escape ..... ELO are on their final tour right now - somehow i think they would be in awe of this beautiful song. "Hoping that the Earth won't turn too soon"

6. Tightrope Walker - Suddenly, London is Calling and we are walking a very high up tightrope - maybe Tom Waits was growling some song in some smoky folk club in Soho while the Who had got back together and all the while David Bowie and the Clash had made a crazy song together. Some hints of Kingston Wall in this one for sure - Sami the KW drummer having a lot of fun so far on this album. Still upbeat and energetic - the song started out just being a little tipsy, but dramatically got a little more intoxicated - then totally plastered drunk - very dangerous for a tightrope walker - incredible! Then the Beatles arrived and saved the day with their mystery tour. Great track!

7. The Change - At last - we have some rest for a small moment, speed and musically wise, but lyrically, its quite a lot more complex. A few signals to Sargent Pepper but something more I cant quite explain off the bat. This kind of a musically coming out ! In the fashion of the band having felt perhaps being constrained - by what is expected, what is accepted, enjoyed. Then towards the end of this there is a child like acknowledgement and I imagined Freddy Mercury singing in a huge arena high fiving a giant Walrus !

8. Separation - From the childhood memories - life and relationships love and loss - sweet engagement - how we struggle to connect with each other. Self indulgence is (or can be) music's triumph.

9. Snowstorm - We are suddenly back on track ! The drums and beat coming in kinda slow n heavy with a nice guitar riff. We need to get back to where we were at the beginning of this album. Not sure if we ever will. Things may just go stagnant! Let's churn through this one and off we go! Once again VHB deal with life and death, relationships, time going by, the world, our communal experiences. Half way through this song takes us into what VHB are all about. Seriously, an amazing Pink Floyd/Deep Purple/King Crimson moment kind of experience, for me any way, you can insert your bands in there as you will.

10. Wait For Me - One of the most wonderful parts of VHB last album (Red Alert in the Blue Forest) was the track All of a Sudden You're Gone. I didn't think they could out sing that one - but here it is. My favorite of this exceptional album. "Don't sail away just yet" Let us not forget each other. Time is fleeting - if one of us should perish - let us wait for the other, lest we be alone - perhaps I will go first - and if I do what will you do? I imagine we will all go to the small star in the sky somewhere at sometime. Enjoy every day and your time with family and reach out to your old friends. Even if you have none or no-one, you do with this personal and sweet album.

Best take away from this album. Energy, energy, energy! What was so creative about this album, from a progressive point of view, was that they kept it a secret! It really does take a lot of time to get under the sheets, so to speak. I also have to give Sami Kuoppamäki (Kingston Wall drummer) a hell of a lot of kudos. Sami is very much loved for his incredible drumming, sometimes overpowering the rest of the band, not his fault of course. Finally VHB got a reign him in, total perfection you guys! The overall production, as usual is out of this world. Not sure who they have in Finland who can produce as immaculately as this, but other bands need to take heed. From an initial 6 out of 10 - its a NOW a 9 out of 10 right now guys. Well done !

Don't forget to read the official VHB blog on why they made this album and how they wanted to get back to the music, the fans and the hands in the air! Fantastic !

Edit! Watch out for Tightrope Walker :)

'Day of Reckoning' ...the last time I loved it from the start was O.S.I; a separate sound, that's what I feel with VHB; a bit of PURE REASON REVOLUTION for the violence of the rhythm, a bit of supercharged THE FLOWER KINGS, a bit of the very pleasant hint of the 2nd YES version of 'Drama'; the violent guitar solo which raises the level again. 'Blue Forest' perfect, melody that makes you spend 9 minutes in 10 seconds, in short you put it back on. The station wagon is beautiful, innovative, modern, sought after. 'The Promise' country, folk, oriental, on an Auvergne bourrée, we hear the clogs knocking, strange. 'All of a Sudden, You're Gone' slide guitar which confirms to me this great American West declination; a Celtic violin drives the point home, a soothing ballad melody; the baroque finale as a SIGUR ROS in joy could propose with choirs, trumpet; symphonic. 'Peace Patrol' starts new-wave à la A-HA, like what there was good during the 80's and this movement apart that I consider as an extension of prog; it's dancing, on a NEW ORDER, on a happy THE CURE, in short it makes you jump, what joy; sax solo between SUPERTRAMP and PINK FLOYD which rips off, which never ends for an orgasmic rise, amazing to see so much creativity. 'Pirates of the Raseborgian' more rock-pop, on a rhythm à la MUSE then again the American folk atmosphere, the squeaky chair at the end is the proof. 'Anil' on amazing Murray HEAD, country ballad a notch below, but it was so high before; good cries of children who pass to 'Elbowed' on a lament melody, folk ballad reminiscent of the sound of the 70's in the heavy movement, this just for the very sharp finale. 'Northern Lights' follows, a long intro half-hovering, half-rousing, singular; it rises to a confusing folk-synth-pop tune, we don't know where it's going! it continues to rise causing a trance with choirs, trumpet and percussion, still immense. 'Söderskär' acoustic guitar, warm voice for rest. 'Disappear There' for another nursery rhyme ballad title, as if to recover after so many emotions.

Well, the VON HERTZEN BROTHERS deserve even more to be in the top 2022 for innovation and the quality of their music; an album that I hadn't listened to enough otherwise it would have entered my top 5, too bad that's how life goes, the chronicle being the best way to talk about it. The why of the top 15 and not top 5 is just the last quarter which does not give enough in view of the above, yes I am demanding.

Even having all these qualities, the album as a whole is not satisfactory; irregular in quality and quite excessive in duration for an album that risks little or frustrates any attempt to venture with less conventional structures.

1. "Day of Reckoning" (4:39) rousing, well-developed song with a catchy, pertinent message. (8.75/10)

2. "Blue Forest" (9:06) plaintive singing over matching child piano note play for the first minute of this. Bass notes are added for the multi-voice chorus in the second minute. At the end of the fourth minute we switch soundscapes and tempos as the vocalist becomes more personal, in our ear. At 5:26 the music bursts into more abrasive territory, but only briefly, as it soon turns to pop-Gregorian with more synthetic Radiohead/Flaming Lips rhythm tracks beneath. Heavy again for the eight minute in which organ and so many others pick up a new melody motif to play with. Wow! (17.5/20)

3. "The Promise" (5:20) interesting instrumental palette backing a not very interesting melody or structure--though the strings and vocal performances are outstanding. (8.5/10)

4. "All of a Sudden, You're Gone" (7:12) nice vocal, melody, and lytic presented by piano, cello and bass. At 2:15 a coda of full-rock instrumentation breaks in between the second and third verses. I really like this vocal! Obviously, the brothers are mourning the loss of someone(s) important to them. A top three song, for sure. (13.5/15)

5. "Peace Patrol" (10:00) okay 80s-pop first three minutes is embellished by oud-like instrument in fourth minute of instrumental but then switches direction, completely, turning into heavier, plodding, anthemic rock that is lifted to amazing heights by one of the best sax solos you've heard in a rock song for decades! (I swear I hear a little Kingston Wall in this music!) This, then, is followed by some stellar and sustained guitar soloing in the second half. Emotional and awesome! Definitely a top three song even though there are so many others! (18.25/20)

6. "Pirates of the Raseborgian" (4:57) Now this was unexpected! A sea shanty! Cute and, surprisingly, highly engaging. (9/10)

7. "Anil" (6:45) acoustic guitar picking with ethereal airy vocals makes for quite a lovely musical presentation. Great vocals, great melodies, great chorus, great lyrics! Great thickly layered instrumental finish. Another top three song. Beautiful! Comparable to some of the great folk-rock singer songwriters of the 1970s. (13.5/15)

8. "Elbowed" (5:16) heavily horn-infused rock opening thins out for the vocal presentation. Nice melodies from vocalists and the individual instruments. A bit of an Andy Partridge/XTC feel. There is definitely a lot going on here! (8.75/10)

9. "Northern Lights" (7:39) embellishing the actual recorded sounds of aurora borealis with their own creative electronicisms, the Brothers have churned out a highly enjoyable electro-pop piece which includes multiple catchy melody riffs each vying for the listeners' attention. Then add in the spacey vocal and you've got a song worthy of radio play. There's so much to this song! Thank you, Finland, for letting your talented sons share their talents with the rest of us! Reminds me very much of a great psych-rock song from the late Petri Walli (KINGSTON WALL). My favorite song on the album. (14/15)

10. "Söderskär" (3:45) nice dreamy little psych-pop dittie. Reminds me of Moon Safari, Gadi Kaplan, or Needlepoint. So polished and mature. (9/10)

11. "Disappear There" (4:52) forest fairie folk with a bit of John Martyn, Ant Phillips, and Nicholas John Talbot (Gravenhurst) infused within. Beautiful and classic! (9/10)

Total Time 69:31

My history with the Von Hertzen Brothers is that, while the music and songs often strike one upon first listen as fresh, creative, and interesting, successive visits are not always as engaging or interesting. I've had this problem with almost every Von Hertzen Brothers release, which had left me less excited for each successive release. Perhaps its due to my lack of engagement and/or interest in the lyrical messages, perhaps due to the attention the songs demand (in order to gleen the subtle complexities). At the same time, I really and truly appreciate the maturity of the VH Bros' songwriting, their intelligent and sophisticated lyrics and lyrical content, and their highly polished, "finished" song productions. I am pleased to announce that all of this has continued to improve with this album--and especially my previous malaise. I've been listening to this album almost exclusively for about a week and am enjoying the layers and subtleties I'm discovering with each and every listen. But I must issue a warning: This is NOT background music! It needs to be listened to with your fullest attention! It not only demands it, it deserves it! One more thing: Did I mention: these brothers can sing: each of the three is so solid and talented!

A-/4.5 stars; an excellent addition to any prog lover's music collection--one of the best releases I've heard from 2022 (so far)--and quite possibly in the running for Album of the Year. I'll let you know after more listens. Warning: This is not background music!

P.S. Has anyone else ever noted the subtle presence of the "ghost of Petri Walli" in the VHB music?

We can begin with the album cover and title.

The album title Red Alert in the Blue Forest' evokes a feeling that there is some serious problem in the forest and it is blue. Perhaps we have lived through a period of time where human progress has slowly encroached and reached a point of critical mass. The forest is threatened!

The album graphics are of the 3 VHB in perhaps some traditional attire but also could they really be 3 Jesus' or even perhaps 3 Ceasers? Who knows. What is for sure is that they all have one eye shut for some unbeknownst reason. (on the VHB website they cleverly have both eyes open if you place your mouse over the one shut eye)

Here are the tracks from this 70 something minute double album.

1. Day of Reckoning 4:39

A lovely atmospheric electronic keyboard intro and vocals lifting into angelic harmony. VHB are known for their harmonies and this is one of the best to date. Softly spoken but haunting which delves deep into folklore and mystery. The album seems to be describing our mistakes as humanity, on perhaps a personal and also a collective responsibility. The title itself brings into the imagination a fear of the future or what is to follow. There certainly are aliens involved of some sorts, perhaps we are the aliens or travelers.

2. Blue Forest ' 9:07

What an absorbing and incredible song this is. It takes the listener from moments of relief to moments of out and out panic and despair. The quickness of time and life passing by. The nostalgia of old memories or our lives, the rawness of life and nature and also the fragility. The song weaves in and out of delicacy to a rocking riff driving the song into a spiraling twirling pit of the unknown. I absolutely adore and love the musical "red alerts" in this song.

3. The Promise ' 5:20

A grungy and ominous start to this song quickly delving into a mind of a new age frolic conjuring up visions of the Wicker Man but the lovely introduction soon picks up pace and has an authentic Scandinavian country feel to it. This one is very animal in nature, about senses, nature, ancient spirits, and the raw basis of life.

Wait, as soon as I was thinking this short 5 minute track would turn into a Crosby Stills and Nash and Young track it simply blew me away. This may be the best track on the album ' but wait'

4. All of a Sudden, You're Gone ' 7:13

The title of this track of course gives one some kind of feeling that the song will be about loss of some kind. The opening of the tune is again angelic and beautiful, but with dark undertones ever gradually misting around throughout the progression of the song. The painful ache of nostalgia, love and loss that only becomes more apparent with the spinning of wheel of time. The prior VHB album 'War is Over' suddenly felt like this album's forgotten past, and although wishing war really over, there is that acknowledgment that war never seems to be over. What may have been describing human interactions with other humans causing all our woes, 'Red Alert in the Blue Forest' could almost be describing our affect on the physical world around us, while we were preoccupied with busily killing each other or putting our so called progress before the sustainable health of the planet. The song ends with so much pain it brought tears to my eyes. I watched VHB officially released video and of course it makes you see the song in a different light. The fragility of life, the environment, of love and relationships, and of time. It made me think to myself what good are empty mills if there is no grain to eat and what purpose has a working horse who's only wish is to grind it for us?

Kie Von Hertzen "We shot the video in Virkkala, a one-hour-ride west from Helsinki, in this old chalk factory, which was shut down in the mid 90´s. Shot in December 2021 over five days with only 5 hours of daylight per day, temperatures of -15c and no electricity at the location."

5. Peace Patrol ' 10:01

What a tricky and sneaky way to start a new track after the powerful track before. I felt like I had been transported back to a late 80s electronic disco in Europe. How wrong I was. This song is playful and cheeky and when looking at the 10 minutes it was supposed to run, I knew I was probably in for a treat. And what a treat, the song starts to grow but still with the late 80s sneaking in here and there, but you just know it is going somewhere special. Once we start getting into some eastern vibes you know the song is going places. This track holds the secret to the dirtiest epic Saxophone piece since Dark Side of Moon and where would you be with out some emotional and exceptional guitar riffs by the ever more so talented Kie von Hertzen. Again the theme of the song is perhaps about what we do in the name of something such as progress, but instead destroy, maim or hurt. If "we make it" we will one day look back and see what we did.

6. Pirates of the Raseborgian ' 4:57

Just when I though the last track was sneaky, this one drew me in to its journey. It felt like I was submerged, spinning around the universe in a dizzy sea shanty. The lyrics to this song at once make you laugh but always the sarcasm is there. With lines such as 'We're eating white sharks for breakfast, Kraken for lunch, and we're drinking with pelicans", what more could you want?

7. Anil ' 6:46

Back to the fairy dust and magical forests, the fields and sunshine overlooking the pastures. The reoccurring theme for the album has been consistent. Once again such a clever song musically and lyrically. A wonderful but hopelessly sad tune. Broke my heart.

8. Elbowed ' 5:17

The prior song leads us right into the brass/piano lead intro ' a tough time-ticking start to this song much about even the toughest hearts being vulnerable and prone to weakness.

9. Northern Lights ' 7:40

After doing some research on this song I found that they had actually featured rarely heard sounds of the Aurora Borealis as recorded by Professor Unto K. Laine. As much as it feels like an intro to a sci fi movie this song is magnificent. Delving yet again into the earthly and heavenly elements it really is a wonderful soul-releasing trip.

In fact, after repeated listens, I excitedly noticed that the Aurora Borealis recorded sounds were mixed into many of the songs on the album, sometimes melding in with the percussion, sometimes a flowing atmospheric sound.

10. S'dersk'r ' 3:46

I had a feeling this word meant something. The S'dersk'r lighthouse (Finnish: S'dersk'rin majakka, Swedish: S'dersk'r fyr) is a decommissioned 19th-century lighthouse in the outer Porvoo archipelago of the Gulf of Finland. Looking back into one's own lifetime, upbringing, how life and society was back then, how things seemed so much better then, so much simpler. Regrets can be many in one's lifetime. This song was written alone in the lighthouse and you really get the feeling of isolation.

11. Disappear There ' 4:52

And what a finale to this lovely album. Beautiful and simple. I will say no more other than 'I know I'll disappear'.

The music and lyrics are haunting, truthful, and creative. I loved how the initial simplicity of some of the songs evolved into progressive jaunts into the unknown. It is a themed album and somewhat a concept album. Clever, witty, sad, desperate, love lost, are we running out of time?

Over all I would give this an excellent 4.5 star rating.

For a debut, and this more or less is one, this is insanely assured. Von Hertzen Brothers exist in a reasonably thankless niche - somewhere between accessible radio rock and pompous progressive rock, and it's testament to their songwriting quality that they were ever able to make a name in either scene, let alone both. This is arguably their most progressive album too, complete with a 3-minute ney (Persian flute) solo in album highlight "Kiss a Wish". And though their skill undeniable lies in the big choruses and riffs that would make them big names in their home country, and those catchy parts are definitely the best part of this record too, it's nice to hear them being a bit indulgent here as it makes the album flow beautifully.

8.0 (8th listen)

Part of my listening diary from my facebook music blog - www.facebook.com/TheExoskeletalJunction

The album opens with the track Disciple of the Sun as if it is getting ready to launch with a beautiful angelic harmony; although you just have that feeling that you are about to embark on some kind of amazing trip.

And there you are, suddenly thrust right into the very flavor of the album.

The arrangement and production quality is just amazing and throughout this album you really do feel inside a huge arena but with a god-like graphic equalizer so as to not make you feel distant from the warmth of the sound.

The amazing thing about VHB is that they get away with many driving guitar riffs that at first sound a little poppy in nature but it only with many listenings you begin to grasp what they are trying to achieve; which is making rock relevant and popular again.

The 2nd track Let Thy Will be Done is a great example of early Purple mixed with a little Lenny Kravitz with a modern feel to it.

Each track has many magical moments and the sound is sooo rich, and has such depth and deliberation. Not to mention, the brothers are all extremely talented musicians, singers, and producers.

Each track certainly moves and flows like water and waterfalls. Which is great, if you like to not know where you are going.

River is the 3rd track which delves into the mystical and eastern sound to start and almost gives a wink to Enya ? but again you know it will be going somewhere else very shortly. What a wonderful catchy tune and expert musicianship and production and grand in nature.

Von Hertzen Brothers know how to enjoy themselves and know how to create an atmosphere. In Your Arms is a kind of love song as well as almost a nostalgic look back at the Crimson King with a dash of Stills and Nash. These guys appreciate love and birth and put much into songs about their loved ones. Again, there is nothing predictable for long with VHB. This is one of the most creative tracks overall on the album.

Open Water Stormy Weather is a fun track which evolves into a very catchy song. After listening a few times you almost hear parts of each track repeating through your mind. The track melds in nicely with the next track Ocean of Mercy.

Kiss a Wish

By far their most popular song in Finland, and as much as it was cute, and some may even go as far to say predictable, all is forgiven for the honesty of the song and complexity of something that at first is dismissible. The song is Floyd-esque in that it has many parts inside one song. This keeps the interest and makes the song complete and intelligent in nature even with teeny pop lyrics like 'Kiss A Wish'. Surely it is not so bad to want a Kiss or a Wish from time to time?

After all is the last track. This little gem is just simply gorgeous. Atmospheric, clever, with wonderful vocals to boot. It leaves you there where it found you, wanting more, but satisfied with the journey, but knowing you will be back again soon. What more can one ask of an album?

However, there are two bonus tracks on the LP.

Ebb Tide Ride is the first bonus track is a wonderful shuffle train with some awesome rockabilly style drumming skills mixed with some Tarantino, and basically a track for the musicians to get some solo time. But it is a worthy stand alone track and rocks very well.

The last bonus track on the album is another version of the earlier track River. This one is a little more acoustic in nature and so different that it took me a while to realize it was the same track. A little sitar is never missed.

To sum up.

Approach, at first take, can be underestimated or even overlooked, but VHB have all the right elements; Fire, Earth, Air and of course Water. Certain tracks will flow through you and leave lasting impressions in your thoughts. At random moments their catchy songs will appear in your mind. An energetic album full with the flow of love, life and what is to come.

4.5 Stars from me on this album for being as close to progrock that crossover can be and for surprising me each time I listen.