EXLEX BEATS

German project KING OF AGOGIK is the creative vehicle of veteran drummer and composer Hans Jorg Schmitz. From 2006 and onward he has steadily released material under this moniker in between other assignments and obligations. "Exlex Beats" is the fifth of his quasi-solo albums, and was released through his own label Saustark towards the end of 2014.

While there is a lot of variation and a certain eclectic spirit surrounding just about everything on this CD, "Exlex Beats" comes across as, first and foremost, an affectionate celebration of the spirit of progressive rock. Some inclusions from related styles of music can be found, which can possibly be regarded as minor statements about the influence progressive rock has had on other genres of music, but it is the progressive rock aspect of this production that comes across as the main focus. Which perhaps an impression formed due to the various homages found on certain key compositions, causing an effect on the end listener that hasn't been planned by Schmitz himself. Still, this is an eclectic instrumental album of progressive rock that merits a check by those with a particular fondness for this type of music and keen to hear artists celebrating it.