My lesser known and unknown new prog bands thread

— First review of this album —

Yesterdays is a Hungarian band with mainly Romanian musicians, the current line-up features 10 band members including 3 women. Yesterdays is rooted in early 2000 and has already made a demo tape (entitled Come Dream With Me from 2002), a serie of CD’s and even a DVD. During the first part of this CD their sound is pleasant and folky inspired featuring lots of acoustic guitar and flute along a wonderful female voice with echoes from Annie Haslam. I am delighted about an acoustic guitar duet (twanging and solo) and the omnipresent violin-Mellotron waves. The second part of Holdenfenykert delivers a way more symphonic rock sound featuring fluent Moog runs and again beautiful Mellotron work. But we can also enjou pure folk and I was very pleased with a duet from acoustic guitar and harpsichord, that distinctive vintage keyboard. My highlight is the long and alternating song entitled Seven: it starts with a fluent rhythm, Moog flights and Mellotron waves and mellow parts with warm female vocals, then a compelling piece with sensitive guitar and lush Mellotron. The final part begins with a flute solo and howling guitar runs and finally a sumptuous eruption with a swirling Hammond solo. To me this sounds as a wonderful blend of folk and symphonic rock, very tasteful, this band will please both the prog-folk – as the symphonic prog fans. Two years ago we talked about adding this band to Prog Archives, I am sure the band members (a salut to Zsolt from here) are very glad that in the end they are part of PA! My rating: 3,5 stars.

4.5 stars.This band is from Norway and they sing in their native language.The album's title means "Burning Dreams".The music itself is filled with mellotron and hammond organ, and i think i'm in love.Haha.As Eric points out in his excellent bio of the band,this is vintage 70's sounding Scandanavian music that recalls the sounds of SINKADUS,LANDBERK and ANGLAGARD.More straightforward and less complex i'll admit,but so enjoyable.Most of this album was recorded live in the studio by the way.Mellotron on every track! "Incognito City" opens with a grinding guitar melody that is joined by the drums,organ then vocals.The organ before a minute is excellent.The vocals are quite passionate and the drums prominant.It's the guitar that i like on this one the best though. "Dvergenes Palass" opens with mellotron and vocals.It sounds great when the tempo picks up.The guitar and organ shine.The drumming is very upfront as usual. "Nostradamus" is for me the highlight of this record,an almost 10 minute ride.The mellotron is so strong to open.Gale force.The organ is wonderful too.Drums and guitar join in but the mellotron and organ are breathtaking.Vocals 2 minutes in as the mellotron comes and goes throughout.A darker,heavier sound 4 1/2 minutes in as he almost yells the lyrics.It settles down 6 minutes in with some nice guitar.More majestic mellotron and then some tasteful guitar 9 minutes in. "Pilegrim" is simply a feel good,mid-paced tune with lots of mellotron.The vocals,guitar and drums are prominant throughout.Very special music this is. "Jublende Rekker" is awesome to open with the mellotron floods with drums and guitar.Vocals a minute in that remind me of SINKADUS along with the overall sound.Organ 1 1/2 minutes in.A storm of mellotron before 4 minutes.Incredible sound 5 minutes in of mellotron,organ and drums. "Middelveis" opens with organ as the sound builds.Vocal melodies a minute in with vocals to follow.Mellotron floods after 2 minutes as tempo slows down.The tempo does pick back up with organ leading the way as themes are repeated. "Berg Og Dvale" is led by the organ and drums.Check out the guitar after 3 1/2 minutes as waves of mellotron blow through. "Doende Stein" opens with mellotron before we get some sinister sounding organ a minute in.Lots of mellotron in this one.Vocals are quite powerful at times. "I Taketimen" opens with mellotron and acoustic guitar as reserved vocals join in.Drums and a fuller sound follow. The organ and guitar before 3 minutes are fantastic.Mellotron to end it.What else? Highly recommended mellotron drenched music from the north.

                                          Did anybody say Mellotron? ....