MUNDUS INCOMPERTUS

If you want to hear one of the best marriages between art rock and baroque classical music then you must reach to this album. As close to genuine classical musical as loud art-rock with metallic touches, this album is far from cliches and lifeless cover music. The soul, Pär Lindh, is a Swedish state-of-the-art keyboard virtuoso mastering virtual anything with keyboards on it but sticking mainly to art rock classic and classical instruments (so don't expect cheese synths). Tastefullness, grandiosity and elegance mark the music well. Drums, vocals and keyboards are of the highest quality. Hammond organ, harpsichord and church organ are a must-hear for any fan of classical music and rock music likewise. It's not about how to play it complex but also how to keep style and stateliness and not overwhelm the listener.

The first track may be the most famous one by Pär Lindh because it's the celebration of baroque classical music augmened by metallic rhythm section without sounding cheesy or cheap. Explosive drums, church organ runs, flute+harpsichord 100% classical music, violin. This piece is masterfully balanced between pure classical music and symphonic art rock. Excellently well developed. The guitar solo is quite heavy metal oriented but switches to acoustic guitar soon. The combination of guitar solo and church baroque melody is irresistable.

"The crimson shield" is a completely different chapter. The great female vocal, flute and harpsichord create a comfortable cosy atmosphere, maybe a bit similar to Blackmore's night but with harpsichord instead of acoustic guitar.

The title track is a suite full of keyboard driven passages more or less rock oriented. It is quite reminiscent of ELP stuff with more 70's keyboards like synths/moog, You can hear that organ is the most popular Lindh's instrument, be it Hammond or church organ. I think that this piece is not as well developed as the first track but has a plethora of beautiful symphonic moments and is a very pompeous track.

A must for traditional symphonic prog fans.