Ken's Novel - Domain Of Oblivion

Year of Release: 2004
Label: Musea Records
Catalog Number: FGBG4569 AR
Format: CD
Total Time: 76:39:00

This is a rare treat, a superb prog band hailing from Belgium. Ken's Novel are their chosen name and they are really brilliant; just listen to their intro track "Sadfield" with the excellent cello (fabulous instrument) caressing the voice of Patrick Muermans, then towering into sublime power play by the band, with plenty of breaks and odd time-signatures plus some very elaborate vocal arrangements! This my dear prog friend, is the real thing.

I cannot even begin to tell you how great they are; first of all, they do not sound like any other prog band (to my ear!). Yes, well right, there may be hints and allegations to that effect, but I can't pinpoint it!! So ? my dear prog friends this is the genuine article, yes they are rare, but trust me on this one, Ken's Novel are superb and original (as far as this word goes in the prog community!), but I tell you, I haven't heard this [brand of] great, diverse prog music in many months; this is supreme talented prog music delivered in style and unique fashion! With excellent arrangements, odd time signatures great musicianship, fine guitaring, keys to die for and real cello/violin! Plus these four talented guys have guest musicians (would you believe?) 3 on keyboard alone, the mentioned cello/violin, and then some!

I absolutely love this album, it has been sitting on my cd-player for many hours now (exchanging place with the new Spock's Beard and Rocket Scientists albums!) but I must say that, in the long run, this album impressed me the most! Maybe it's because I'm so surprised that a prog band this good comes from Belgium! But it's also the variety, the energy, excellent songwriting & the spontaneous delivery that is just amazing! Track #9, the title track "Domain Of Oblivion," is my favourite track, with its grandeur theme, the soothing voice and the build-up of the tune with a superb guitar solo introducing (at the 7:05 min mark) some compressed bombast [of a] powerful theme!

Last but not least, [the] track "Distinctive Signs" [is] a very fine tune to round it all up! This is superb prog music confined in one CD clocking in at some 76:39 minutes. I'm amazed by the sheer talent displayed here. Furthermore I'm really surprised that the prog community entirely hasn't hailed this gem!??

Me? I'm going all the way ... this superb album gets top rating!!! Highest recommendations from this prog head!!

Tonny Larsen, who contributed this review, is the founder, reviewer, creative member and occasional interviewer at www.progplanet.com, the Danish site for progressive rock music. The text here has been slightly edited from the original -ed.

Tracklisting:
Chapter 1: Sadfiel (8:08) / Chapter 2: Crowd On Sail (10:07) / Chapter 3: Empress Of The Frozen Sea (10:18)/ Chapter 4: Rejected (1:27) / Chapter 5: Voices (7:25) / Chapter 6: Wisdom Peak (9:88) - a) The Magnifying Glass - b) Mirror Man - c) Distorted Reflection / Chapter 7: The Hallucinogenic Lake (8:56) / Chapter 8: Peaceful? (0:21) / Chapter 9: Domain Of Oblivion (16:05) / Chapter 10: Distinctive Signs (3:51)

Musicians:
Patrick Muermans - lead vocals, drums & keyboard programming
Eric Vanderbemden - electric & acoustic guitars
Bruno Close - keyboards
Geoffrey Leontiv - drums, percussion, drum programming
Sebastien Mentior - bass
plus guests!

Discography:
The Guide (1999)
Domain Of Oblivion (demo CDR) (2002)
Domain Of Oblivion (2004)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin BE

Added: December 10th 2006
Reviewer: Tonny Larsen
Score:
Artist website: www.kensnovelonline.com
Hits: 3537
Language: english