|
|
"For his fifth studio album, Knight Area offers us the best he can do: a supercharged, neo-progressive rock of good quality."
|
3/5
|
|
|
|
"Hyperdrive", the fifth studio album in ten years of existence for the Dutch band Knight Area, is the first LP recorded since the arrival of a new guitarist and a new bassist. The EP "Between Two Steps" had given an overview of the impact of this change of musicians, this album confirms the hardening of the tone of the compositions.
Listening to "The Lost World", the opening track, one could doubt for a moment a real added power if it is not at the bass level that "slams" more than at the usual level. The second and third tracks ("Bubble" and "This Day") were already present on "Between Two Steps", the first being a well-fished compo on which Mark Bogert, the new guitarist, expresses himself with enthusiasm, and the second, a ballad very close to "Scorpion" !
Later, we will find two other slow tracks, "Living In Confusion" (track 6) and "Songs From The Past" (track 9) in which Mark Smit, on vocals, plays Freddy Mercury. That said, the melodies are beautiful and the interpretations flawless, always rich in keyboards (piano and synths) and guitar solos. The rest of the opus is made up of well-muscled tracks, adorned with snoring riffs that are sure to annoy the ears of sweet neoprog lovers. "Afraid Of The Dark" brings a conclusion to the album by getting even closer to metal, not too violently though despite a double pedal.
If Knight Area has hardened its tone with this new album, the compositions will not be out of place for the listener who has been following the band since its inception. "Hyperdrive" still contains as many beautiful melodies effectively interpreted by talented instrumentalists around a beautiful expressive voice whose ability to rise to the high notes is discovered here. However, by distinguishing himself from his predecessors only by his power and a few vocal pearls, he only gets the average.
- Official website
|
|
|
TRACK LISTING:
01. Afraid of the Dark
02. The Lost World
03. Bubble
04. The Day
05. Crimson Skies
06. Avenue of Broken Dreams
07. Living in Confusion
08. Stepping Out
09. Running Away
10. Songs from the Past
11. Hypnotised
LINEUP:
Gerben Klazinga: Claviers
Mark Bogert: Guitares
Mark Smit: Chant / Claviers
Peter Vink: Basse
Pieter Van Hoorn: Batterie
Arjen Lucassen: Guitares / Invité
|
|
| |
|
(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top of the page
|
| |
|
|
(1) COMMENT(S)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
READERS
3/5 (2 view(s))
|
STAFF:
3/5 (3 view(s))
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
IN RELATION WITH KNIGHT AREA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
OTHER REVIEWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT KNIGHT AREA
|
|