LoreleiProgFestival2013-5

THE LORELEI PROG FESTIVAL,

ST GOARSHAUSEN,

GERMANY,

JULY 2013

[5]

Feature links:

THE LORELEI PROG ROCK FESTIVAL, ST. GOARSHAUSEN, GERMANY - 2013 - [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

My brief comments (for what it's worth):

ANGLAGARD - [Distinctly retro prog with the addition of vintage analogue sounds, particularly the mellotron, its not easy music to get into at first due to the complex musical structure. Largely experimental with constant time signature changes, the traditional hallmark of the music genre, quite jazzy, the addition of the flute to the musical format at times does bear resemblance to the sound of Jethro Tull. Influences do include King Crimson, Genesis and Van der Graaf Generator. The latest album Viljans öga, an anagaging, beautiful album, with its rather haunting cover, has made its way onto my wish-list. A comment made in relation to the band's music, summing up why progressive rock, though no longer mainstream, continues to survive: "I love Änglagård ! No concessions to musical industry, only music that they want to play and very important, in their own language, not the kind of bands which sells itself to English language globalization."

Current line-up: Anna Holmgren – Flute (1991–1994, 2002–2003, 2009–present)
Johan Brand (born Högberg) – Bass (1991–1994, 2002–2003, 2009–present)
Tord Lindman – Guitars and vocals (1991–1994, 2012-present)
Erik Hammarström – Drums and percussion (2012-present)
Linus Kåse – Keyboards (2012-present)]

* * *

CARAVAN - [Caravan rose to success over a period of several years from 1968 onwards into the 1970s as part of the Canterbury scene. In January 2013 the band completed a successful UK tour to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the album “For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night". I must confess I never really got into their music back then but having subsequently sampled some of their successful album, revisiting the material might be in order. Nothing I saw or heard onstage at Lorelei would suggest I'd rush out to see them as a live act though. With respect, the vocals are in serious need of an upgrade.

Current line-up: Pye Hastings - guitar, vocals (1968-1978, 1980-1985, 1990-1992, 1995-present)
Richard Coughlan - drums, percussion (1968-1978, 1980-1985, 1990-1992, 1995-present)
Geoffrey Richardson - guitar, viola, violin (1972-1978, 1980-1981, 1995-1996, 1997-present)
Jan Schelhaas - keyboards (1975-1978, 2002-present)
Jim Leverton - bass (1995-present)
Mark Walker - drums, percussion (2010-present)]

* * *

MAGMA - [Magma is a French progressive rock band founded in Paris in 1969 by classically trained drummer Christian Vander, who claimed as his inspiration a "vision of humanity's spiritual and ecological future" that profoundly disturbed him. In the course of their first album, the band tells the story of a group of people fleeing a doomed Earth to settle on the planet Kobaïa. Later, conflict arises when the Kobaïans — descendants of the original colonists — encounter other Earth refugees. Vander invented a constructed language, Kobaïan, in which most lyrics are sung.

On Saturday night Steve Wilson asked the Lorelei audience what they had made of Magma's preceding performance, admitting to being a huge fan of the French band's music. I must confess I did not like the music. Undoubtedly complex and intricate in nature, I found it self-indulgent and far too drawn-out.

Current line-up: Christian Vander
Stella Vander
Isabelle Feuillebois
James MacGaw
Benoit Alziary
Herve Aknin
Bruno Ruder
Philippe Bussonnet]

* * *

OPETH - [As in the case of Devin Townsend earlier in the program, Mikael Åkerfeldt passed disparaging remarks to a supposedly prog audience, in anticipation of an aural onslaught of black and death metal (and the distinctive, rasping vocals) about to be unleashed upon the Lorelei audience. Though they did play the odd quieter, more accessible song, by the time they reverted back to their trademark sound after about a half a dozen numbers, I headed for the hills. I subsequently read that while lead vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt's death growls were dominant on early releases, later efforts incorporate more clean vocals, with both Damnation and Heritage featuring only clean singing.

Current line-up: Mikael Åkerfeldt – lead vocals, guitars (1990–present), bass guitar (1997)
Martín Méndez – bass guitar (1997–present)
Martin "Axe" Axenrot – drums, percussion (2006–present)
Fredrik Åkesson – guitars, backing vocals (2007–present)
Joakim Svalberg – keyboards, synthesizer, backing vocals, percussion (2011–present)]