MELANIE MAU & MARTIN SCHNELLA: Through The Decades (ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Members of the progressive rock band Flaming Row, Melanie Mau & Martin Schnella had already impressed us in 2019 with the release of their latest excellent album, "The Pure Shine". Lately, our two friends have been particularly famous on the Internet by releasing filmed covers of some progressive rock standards, but not only. Following this, the Germans have released these songs in a new 100% cover album, "Through The Decades".

Many listeners expect a cover album to offer a revisited version of the original songs. If you belong to this category of people, be assured. We knew the Germans were adept at polyphony, and this characteristic is, as expected, once again at the heart of this opus.

The bewitching voice of Mélanie Mau opens the record alone with a colorful cover of Genesis' 'Dancing With The Moonlit Knight'. In addition to her deep and warm voice, the singer has the ability not to overplay and to keep a sober approach, for a result of great purity. Vocally, the result is very accomplished throughout, as on the cover of Agent Fresco's 'Dark Water', reminiscent of Moon Safari.

So accomplished that sometimes, we could reproach the combo for taking some liberties on some very strong vocal lines in their original version, in order to obtain a more personal touch, which sometimes breaks the dynamics of the version of the song we all know. The a cappella intro of Pain Of Salvation's excellent 'Reasons' is the best example of this. By wanting to obtain a freer and deconstructed result, the impact and the interest are immediately limited when compared to the vocal lines of the Swedes, with their clean, precise and impeccable phrasing. Nevertheless, this is the only reproach we could possibly make, as the rest is so brilliant in mastery.

Martin Schnella, for his part, stands out as a master of the folk guitar, in addition to having a very beautiful voice and bringing magnificent harmonies throughout the record. Some of the songs have a very strong personality, such as 'Dancing With The Moonlit Knight', in its medieval Celtic folk vein. The musicians don't hesitate to surprise, as with the cover of Metallica's 'Creeping Death', in a style diametrically opposed to their own. It's clear that it works more than well. Some tracks could have been even better on the instrumental level, such as the exceptional 'Miracles Out Of Nowhere' from Kansas, an impressive track that could have been even better if other instruments had joined the party.

Nevertheless, the two Germans deliver here a very powerful and rich cover album, with songs of great purity and impeccable execution. Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill' is a marvellous piece, with an omnipresent Martin Schnella on acoustic guitar, while Arstidir's 'Poesie Im Sand/Ljóð í Sand' go straight to the heart with its enchanting flute, reminiscent of beautiful winter landscapes. In more playful registers, our two companions excel once again, as shown in the cover of Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now', thanks to their once again exceptional vocal work.

While waiting for Melanie Mau & Martin Schnella's next productions, whether with Flaming Row or in other projects, let's take advantage of this excellent album of covers. - Official website

MELANIE MAU & MARTIN SCHNELLA

THROUGH THE DECADES

AUTOPRODUCTION

ROCK