DEAD BUT DREAMING

Wow! The Divine Baze Orchestra (how is that for a name...?) really impressed me with this one. I wasn't too keen on their last album for several reasons; the sound was lo-fi, the previous singer lacked feeling and a sharp, thin voice that sounded as it would break any second and the songs were a bit dull in some parts. This time they have a new line-up and most important: a new singer, Oliver Eek (yet another amusing name, but who cares when he sings so damn well!). The songs are a diverse bunch, but the sound of the band is solid and steady. The opening track sounds dreamy and evil and ends up with a beautiful, soft passage with fantastic guitar work. This really sets the mood for the rest of the album with its King Crimson-like heaviness. The next track, "They Rise", opens with fat retro synthesizers and a great groove. The vocals of Oliver Eek are powerful and expressive, though he sounds great in the softer parts as well. Other tracks that stand out are "What mustn't be spoken", a nasty, heavy piece with amazing, almost scary atmosphere and "Lastly, lament" an epic mini opera; dynamic and interesting. We also get to hear the vocal talents of organ player Joel Lof on the track "The Cellar, which is kind of a fusion song but with a mad, twisted ending. Joel Lof is perhaps not as powerful and expressive as his frontman, Oliver Eek, but he does a good job with his smooth, slightly Chet Baker- like voice. Apart from that we have a lot of great guitar and organ work on the album, although I personally would have liked more instrumental passages and solos. These guys seem to know how to improv pretty damn well, so why not focus more on that? To sum this up; a great album from this young, promising band, beautiful and heavy, dark and light. For fans of King Crimson, cantebury and other heavier prog!