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: :
Soniq Theater -
Seventh Heaven : : |
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Band/artist: Soniq Theater
Title: Seventh Heaven
Released: 2007
Label: Self Release |
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Track
listing:
1. The Fountain
2. Welcome Home
3. Lilly
4. New Year's Eve
5. But Seriously
6. Lift-Off
7. Trip Across the 7th Age
8. Closer to Heaven
9. Silk Road
10. Divine Harmonies |
: : The Players : :
Alfred Mueller
(keyboards) |
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: : Seventh
Heaven : :
Seventh Heaven is German-based Soniq Theaters 7th release in as many
years. Now, the one thing that separates Soniq Theater from other
artists, is that it is a one man band, where keyboards are the only
instruments used and the man is one Alfred Mueller. And as either by
choice or by limitations the emulation of other instruments on the
keyboard actually do sound more like emulations than the real thing, and
accepting that premise is vital for the enjoyment of all the releases
from Soniq Theater.
On this seventh release, the main focus of the album seems to be
melodies; and many of the songs are calm almost to the level of sounding
like new age music. There are tunes here with a more energetic
expression as well, but mood and melody is the focus in quite a few
tracks here.
Stylistically the music here still is best sorted under symphonic prog
somewhere; some might say that calling Soniq Theater a poor man's Erik
Norlander might be an accurate description. From what I was able to hear
on this release, the inspirations for the songs here seems to be pretty
much from all over the place, with touches reminding of ELP as well as
Tangerine Dream, Genesis, Kitaro and others.
The bad thing about mellowness when music is made with keyboard
emulations though, is that the emulated instruments stand out clearer.
And for my sake, this detracts from several of the tunes here. Alfred
Mueller also tries out some extended vocals on one track here. And to be
blunt: That was not a good idea. In my opinion the vocals are too
limited, as well as slightly off key and melody in some places.
I also get the impression that Alfred Mueller's creative well has gone a
bit stale while making this record; as there are far less examples of
captivating melodies and moods on this record than there are on those of
his previous releases I'm familiar with. The end result is a rather
varied release; and the weakest of his releases I've come across so far.
Fans of this type of music will find quite a few interesting moments on
this CD, as will the eclectically inclined music fans and keyboardists.
Others should get a listen to this album first though; as I suspect
quite a few will find this record rather uninspired; especially casual
music fans.
Rating: 6/10
Reviewer: Olav Björnsen
: : Visit the Artist’s
Website :
:
: : Discography : :
Seventh Heaven
(2007)
Enchanted (2006)
Pandromania (2005)
This Mortal Coil (2004)
The Third Eye (2003)
a SECOND of ACTion (2002)
Soniq Theater (2000)
originally written
for www.progressiveears.com
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