I take it the name selected for this band is both an ironical expression as well as an expression of defiance: "sure we know prog rock is considered a dead art form, but we do it anyway". Indeed, the ensemble, really a disguise for an ambitious project by guitarist/producer/composer Antti Pesonen, manages to breath new life to an artform long considered to be either dead or at least fused with technically oriented heavy metal. The first thing that arouses my interest are the melodies. Antti Pesonen has a knack of writing engaging melodies, and developing them through a compositional method not unlike that of a concert music composer. In this sense, the structures of the songs remind me of Yes in their prime, even if we do not hear any 20 minute epics. You can hear this development of themes throughout the album, and in a sense the album can be best enjoyed as a complete package, not as a collection of catchy melodies. "Human sordinos" serves as a beautiful intro to the album. It is an atmospheric piece, a male voice accompanied by a pianist. The song is best understood as a starting statement for the album, as a preparation for things to come. Matti Jalava's seasoned voice and the lyrical chords played on the piano remind me of Genesis. "Ozone" gets the album going. It stands on the frontier between the sharp modernity of King Crimson and the epic excursions of heroic heavy metal. The most striking initial reaction is Katja Sirkiä's confident and striking vocals, remeniscent of such punk-oriented yet litearate artists such as Toyah. Sirkiä also drives "Highking music", which takes us closer to heroic heavy metal. While its rising chord structure reminds me of Rainbow and Iron Maiden, the classical melodic development of the song is untypical to the often riff-driven metal pieces. "Thinking music pt.2", on the other hand, moves us across the border back into Crimsonesque modernity. It is an instrumental, full of symmetrical scales and jagged, calculated guitar lines. In my opinion, the best guitar work on the album can be found in this piece. If I had to point out a cousin of this song, I would have to say "Breathless" from Robert Fripp's solo album "Exposure". Matti Jalava returns in the vocals department for "Dark ages" which begins in the same modernist vein as the previous piece, but is masterfully developed into a joyous epic rocker. This is where I feel Antti Pesonen's compositional talents are at their best: a melody strong enough to be developed from multiple angles, and the compositional skill to be able to do this development. "Zephyr" is a radical departure from the previous pieces, a Zeppelinesque instrumental ballad. This is the perfect timing for such a departure as there is a radical change of mood in the rather uniform sound of the first five pieces. Zephyr is a bridge into a new development. If modernism was the key word for the first part of the album "The silent side of me" defines a second portion, which relies on atmosphere and minimalism. This song is an experiment in psychedelic sound, somewhat reminiscent of Pink Floyd. Sirkiä portrays a more laid-back approach to vocalizing, as the jagged punk matron is replaced by a moody hippie gal. "The probe" is another minimalist atmospheric piece reminiscent of the seventies, this time the power word is synth pop. The moog synthesizer sound pierces an interstellar starscape as the signals are transmitted into outer space. "Stop the machine" is a summary of the elements heard through the album. It starts as an anxious plea to stop the modernist machine, and ends as a sweet coda in the heroic metal / psychedelic vein. A worthy conclusion to an exciting attempt of breathing new life into an artform, long thought to be extinct.

Published on: 11 Jul 2005. I did not know what to expect when I got this record in the mail. Starting with the band's name I had some doubts about the music I was going to be hearing. In a letter included with the CD, Antti Pesonen (the band's leader) told me that he and the other band members saw some humor in the CD concept. Well, to the music... The CD begins with a couple of tracks pretty heavy in nature, bordering on Metal Prog. Very interesting and well performed music. In my opinion fans of Ayreon and Arena should really get into it. In the middle part the mood does mellow down (some). The music becomes more symphonic, even though there are still pretty heavy moments. I am now more reminded of the most powerfull tracks from The Flower Kings. Very good indeed. The major part of singing is done by Katja Sirkiä. She has a very beautyfull an operatic voice, that sometimes sounds a little like Kate Bush. A definite asset for the group. Matti Jalava also does some of the singing, his voice being in the David Bowie/Gary Neuman range. The songs are in english and done with no perceivable accent. All the musicians are excellent. Fans of the afore mentioned bands should check the Contemporary Dead Finnish Music Ensemble out. Their music is just as interesting. Highly recommended.