THE GREEN VIOLINIST

More thrill and never ending blessings are here promised to the listener; all via a doomy gloomy musical trip that is strangely relaxing and uplifting despite its sombre atmosphere. The Green Violinist delivers to the attentive listener (I consider this to be an ideal "headphone album") an introspective experience which is dominated by atmospheric soundscapes, speckled with a melange of electronic gimmicks and voice clips, all lead by a really good vocalists and mainly, but not only acoustic guitar and piano. The vocals in other reviews are compared to Dead Can Dance, something which I can't confirm as I am not familiar with DCD, I am reminded here and there of Mariusz Duda (Riverside) or even car Mc Coy (Fields of the Nephilim). The latter probably has to do with the overall "gothic" feel of the album, particular in its vocal style.

This album is progressive, but not in the sense of virtuosic acrobatics, tempo and key changes. The album has a hypnotic feel that leaves me in a very deep relaxed state. It's an experience like a strange and bit disturbing dream with insights and revelations.

I am tempted to give 5 stars, however he first three tracks do not hold the same mesmerising magic that the following four tracks hold. So 4 stars with a tendency for more.

I have to confess that it took me a while to get past the fact that there aren't any violins on this album. I had just assumed that the band name would mean that they were going to be focused on that instrument, such as Violinski were in the Seventies, but no, this band is named after a painting rather than the main source of melody. Former by Vincent Defresne some years ago, 'More Thrill & Never Ending Blessings' was released in 2013 and is their debut album. Here we have a band that in many ways seems more a project than a full group, such is the importance of Vincent's vocals and acoustic guitars (he of course wrote all the songs as well). The emotion here is palpable, and it is this that keeps the listener engaged as if it wasn't that I would have found it hard to make it all the way through as to me the songs just don't have enough within them to keep me interested.

They lose their way on the third track, "Shy People", but do bounce back somewhat with the next "Do Worry Be Sad" which is the longest on the album, but a seed of discontent had been sown in my mind and unfortunately it stayed that way until the end. Overall I get the feeling that they are just step away from having a really good album within them, but this isn't quite it. They do show plenty of promise though, moving between crossover prog and more independent and acoustic styles. I have seen plenty of references to Dead Can Dance, but one could also throw in The Rattlers and The Peppercorns among others, with quite an Eighties feel to some pieces. This isn't something to which I will often be returning but I am looking forward to see if the next one is the step up that it needs to be as that could be quite something.

I must say that I am very impressed with The Green Violinist from Belgium! I was expecting a ton of violin, obviously, but there really isn't much on the album apart from symphonic arrangements. I would love to know where the name originated, as I was hoping for some great violin solos or something.

Anyways, lack of violin aside, this group has something special. First of all, the vocalist has a very soothing, masculine voice that almost reminds me of Brendan Perry of Dead Can Dance. In fact, I can't help but hear Dead Can Dance as an influence on this album in general. The music has a very neo-prog vibe, but is also has symphonic passages, too. Overall, though, there is an overarching psychedelia that reminds me of DCD and that provides an eerie quality to everything. I really like that.

"The Great Scapegoat Seeking" is the first track, and it is one of the better tunes I've heard this year. It provides a standard for the rest of the album with its soothing, eerie vocals; its soaring orchestral arrangements; and its beautiful tones shifts. The second track, "Velvet Road" is also an outstanding track. If the rest of the album had followed suit, this album would be one of the best this year. As it is, the album loses its way at the third track somewhat. It regains its footing with "Don't Worry Be Sad" and again with "Any Words You Say Won't Be Enough". These tracks are both excellent, but the album itself loses a little luster. In general, this is an excellent album that promises great music to come.

Green Violinist is a band from Belgium and More Thrill & Never Ending Blessings (2013) is their debut album. Back in 2003, Vincent Defresne (vocals, acoustic guitars and keyboards) was in deep depression. Then, Vincent saw the Marc Chagall's portrait called 'The Green Violinist' and suddenly that picture came to live in his mind. He decided to name his band Green Violinist.

In fact, Vincent was the member of the Prog band Sioban, but he decided that the band was not giving him joy anymore. He gathered a few old band mates like Régis Planque (bass) and Gabriel Peeters (drums and programming) and started to work on what it would be the first Green Violinist album. More Thrill & Never Ending Blessings (2013) has also Emilie Laclais (backing vocals), Raphael Bresler (guitars) and Mathieu Vandermolen (guitars) and? what an album. Hard to explain the band's sound.

More Thrill & Never Ending Blessings (2013) has a broad influence. The overall sound could be described as 'Neoclassical Darkwave', which means a lot of 80's influence, the best example would be Dead Can Dance.

'The Great Scapegoat Seeking' starts and it's pretty difficult to understand their music in a first glance, but one thing for sure, it's melancholic and beautiful. Immersive. The second track 'Velvet Road' and its electronic bits and somber vocals continues with the dark path.

'Shy People' begins with voices, regular people talking about their issues. But then? a twist, a 'happy' and upbeat song, tough the lyrics are completely dark and hopeless. The only one to be upbeat on the album. The acoustic 'Do Worry Be Sad' has a heavy beginning, but on the chorus we have an energetic track, but this track is like many songs within just one. In its more than 13 minutes we have a syncope of mini tracks and many moods, including some Post Rock.

'Human Connection' restarts the Green Violinist s grim sound. 'Any Words You Say Won't Be Enough' has a weird drum beat for the band, almost heavy metal, but that's what makes Green Violinist music interesting. 'Bad Inheritance (A Song To Cure) closes the album with a great bass line and the most interesting and somber vocals in the middle.

More Thrill & Never Ending Blessings (2013) is a haunting and melancholic album that can take you far, far away if you're willing to go. And you know what? You should!

(Originally posted on progshine.net)