THE INDIFFERENT STARS

As my revered prog reviewer, friend, and colleague Lazland (www.lazland.org) so eloquently stated in a recent message: "Anything new from former Frequency Drift members is to be looked forward to". I concur! Multi- instrumentalist and songwriter Andreas Hack contacted me with some new information that he has now moved on after 8 gloriously succulent albums with FD (the last one being Letters to Maro in 2018), altering his inspiration into an innovative format, with a fresh moniker: Haven of Echoes and a novel line-up as well, as his new musical partner is vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Paul Sadler (Spires), giving Andreas the responsibility on all the other instruments, though long-time FD members Wolfgang Osterman is manning the drum kit, as well as the incredible Nerissa Schwarz on the e-harp.

"The Indifferent Stars" is the proprietor of a drop-dead gorgeous cover, containing six well-crafted compositions for a total of 44 minutes of utter magnificence that have a definite cinematographic quality, an attribute that certainly pervaded previous FD masterpiece albums like Ghosts (2011), Laid to Rest (2012) and Over (2014), a trio of consecutive releases that hold a very distinct place in my collection and my heart. The mood is still very original as it blends classic prog tendencies with very organic options that make it all seem very recognizable and an occasional hint of gothic avant-garde. Bayreuth has always been a renowned musical city in Germany as well as worldwide, and it seems that the great musical tradition continues with this stunning release, as Paul introduces his athletic voice that has a rather unique attribute in that he exposes his masculine side with powerful vocals that can run the gamut between smooth and muscular, but he also has a feminine side that has a incomprehensible quality in that you swear it's a female voice. Now that, ladies, gents, and children, is quite an achievement that few vocalists can pull off convincingly. I actually had to verify the credits to see if there was, perchance, a female vocalist anywhere and its is written: all vocals by Paul Sadler! Oh My!

The meteoric glow of "Sirensong" wastes little time in getting hypnotized, a whirlwind track of impetuous ardour and resonance, boisterous guitar slashes, bombastic orchestrations, and magnetic rhythmic appeal. As Paul grabs the microphone, it only takes seconds to realize the man can sing like the wind as well as expressing himself with unabated passion. Andreas writes some of the finest melodies anywhere and he is in fine form, providing the musical platform to elevate the breathless pace and offer the spotlight to the vocal storytelling. 'Sirenengesang'! The decidedly more Gothic "The Orator's Gift" has a fragmented drum beat that is quite intoxicating, establishing a sense of anguished paranoia that is totally compelling, as it's a prelude for the tenderly velvet voice to infuse, beguile and seduce, occasionally tossing in a whisper, then forcefully emoting with delirious conviction. The contrast between the syncopated beat and the elegant piano motif gives this piece a sense of bewildering splendour that hooks you hard! What a voice, "donnerwetter"! The ostentatious "Stasis" (I am sure this is not a clever wordplay referring to the former DDR state police, though you never know) showcases the anguished high voice, the feminine one mentioned earlier, collides nicely with the riveting piano, a sheer world class singing performance. By this time, three tracks in, I find myself hopefully seduced, especially when I begin giggling like an effervescent child, intimidated I rarely am, but here?. I surrender "Kapitulation"!. 'Push back, push back' he whispers?. indeed?

The dynamic vivacity in "Endtime" captivates instantly, as a suave sound lays down obediently on the carpet, the male/female/choir voices are consummate (Freddie, you have company) , atop a melody so expressive , it is like an arrow through the heart, crushingly persuasive. A mellow liquid pond of calm only furthers the enjoyment, searching to heighten the quaking thrill. 'Endzeit'! This next track "The Lord Giveth" is so unbelievably fabulous, I have no other fathomable recourse than to quote a famous movie line" It was so good, I almost peed my pants". This Nerissa Schwarz composition is overflowing with pathos, drama, gothic scintillations, funereal drums, and a heavenly charm. It seizes you and never lets go, with a solo vocal to perish for ever more and willingly so! A cinematographic mid-section of oblique sounds and tic-toc deflection, angst-laden mood, this verges on rock opera to be fair and it is the killer track here, among the musical murderers' row menu. 'Unglaublich'! Nein,nein, nein , this one is the acme, the Everest, the 'Spitze': "Let Then In" is a 12 minute exercise in sonic slaying, serving up not only another mind-numbing vocal ,very much in the same general vein as all the preceding tracks but (and obviously on purpose) , out of the thick mist comes a long, blistering, voluptuous guitar solo (Paul Sadler) that sets this whole album on volcanic fire, followed by the most ornate Andreas Hack piano etude ever, a magical contrast that soothes the heat , as the glorious voice returns for another lustrous bow. A final electric guitar and piano duet puts this masterpiece to bed! This will soon be a classic prog track that will stand the test of time, without a doubt. 'Wunderbar'!

As the setlist on this debut slowly descends towards the finale, the musical quality and the vocal prowess just keeps mounting, intoxicatingly influential. With many exceptions duly noted, Prog's Achilles heel has always been the singing, sometimes okay, at others quite poor, which is why I personally prefer instrumental prowess (no shortage of that commodity in Progland) but here the vocals are some of the finest anywhere, any genre, any style. Glimmering, shimmering and gleaming, Paul Sadler is a name to remember on the microphone. Andreas Hack has the pedigree with his previous efforts, here, he just kicked it up a notch. Among the top 4 albums of 2022.

5 Oasis of Reverberations