Kompendium Beneath The Waves Record Label Ritual Echo
9 / 10
Released 11 February 2013
Highlight of the album: ‘The Storm’ Website http://www.kompendium-web.com/
Concept albums seem to have become a new trend in the progressive metal scene. Unfortunately, there seems to be a lack of artists that come up with interesting enough concepts to make it all worth it. Fortunately, the newest offering by Kompendium entitled ‘Beneath The Sea’ is a concept album done right, both musically and conceptually.
As gloomy a concept as the above summary implies, the music is surprisingly uplifting sounding. The opening track on the album, ‘Exordium’ begins with pan pipes and strings, something not commonly heard on a prog metal album. Complexity and technical prowess are abound on this album, from the gentle acoustic brushes layered with soothing strings on ‘Lily’ to the eleven plus minute epic journey of “The Storm’. Steve Kompendium is the brain child of Magenta keyboardist Balsamo’s voice is perfect voice for the lead character Rob Reed, however ‘Beneath The Sea’ features a in this masterpiece, conveying McGregor’s anguish shopping list of notable artist names on the credits. with conviction. In addition to instrumental skill, vocal Among them we have Steve Hackett, Nick Barrett, skill is abound on this release as well, with mid evil Gavin Harrison and Steve Balsamo, amongst many sounding chanting by The English Chamber Choir that others. will make the listener feel as if they are in the middle of the action. The album tells the tale of a man, Connor McGregor who is stricken with grief. His wife committed suicide Kompendium has managed to create an emotionally shortly after the birth of their first child, and he feels striking and convincing conceptual masterpiece, and incredibly guilty over this. To add insult to injury, his ‘Beneath The Sea’ will hold up amongst the best of ship sinks during a fishing expedition. He is the only them. Shortly and sweetly put, this album will take you survivor, and he comes back believing that Lily, his wife on a moving journey, and if Rob Reed and Steve has reached out to him and is longing to be reunited Hackett have any desire to get a supergroup like this with him. He then takes a walk on the beach, and together again, I highly advise them to do so. doesn’t return… Doron Beit-Halahmi
Antonia Vai
8 / 10
Lovers and Prophets Record Label Self Release
Released September 2012
Highlight of the album: ‘Confessions Of Berlin’ Website
Antonia Vai is a 24-year old singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Sweden. Labelled as a folk based ‘bohemian soul diva’ with songs focusing on storytelling, shaped by rhythms and unique melodies. Antonia began recording her songs in the bedroom, or in random hotel rooms along the road, and ever since, the songs started spreading and circulating on the net . Not really knowing what to expect I was fairly surprised by this offering by Swedish based songstress Antonia Vai, who’s own brand soulful singing and captivating songwriting reminds me of
http://www.antoniavai.com
Scottish folk rocker KT Tunstall, with hints of Alanis Morissette thrown in, by creating a mix of quirky, almost bohemian ballads, that set out to tell a story of ‘Lovers and Profits’ and the tribulation’s that they endure as they continue their journey to happiness producing an almost ‘concept’ style album. Overall the album shows a great deal of potential for Antonia Vai but as with all albums of this nature it will only appeal to fans of the genre. Lee Walker
24
Firebrand Magazine