TIMES THAT MATTER

Another promising multi-instrumental performer's come here. A German rock project STARQUAKE was founded as a one-man combo by Mikey WENZEL who has got obviously inspired by 70s hard rock like Iron Maiden or heavy / symphonic / neo progressive rock like Rush or Spock's Beard. In collaboration with session musicians, he's finally completed creating the debut opus titled "Times That Matter", filled with his strong identity or intention for producing rock Fantasia. 74 minute rock opera cannot help impressing the audience with accomplished sound works dedicated to his rock pioneers.

What does Mikey let the audience hear? This answer could be found via the titled track drenched in heavy riffs and catchy melody lines under the bluesy sky. Not only deep vibes but also beautiful and melancholic keyboard works (by Andi?) like J. S. Bach in the last song "Fairytale" is crazy awesome. In the longest movement "Rise And Fall", just like the meaningful title, uptempo metallic machinegun like Judas and slow, smooth guitar quakes are fantastically merged and convoluted one after again ... this "anthem" mentions enough about his enthusiasm for heavy rock / neo progressive. What a dramatics, theatricalism. Cannot feel this be the debut one, but a refined stuff.