Crimson Lotus - Foreward

Year of Release: 2004
Label: Independent
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 22:19:00

How many of the bands that are around at present, started out as cover bands? Fortunately many changed from playing covers to writing their own material and in many cases that proved to be the correct choice for bands. In a way this also applies to the Finnish formation Crimson Lotus, as they started out in 1997 as a cover band. Slowly they moved to writing their own material, but circumstances were against them. As they all served in the army, the band was in active for a while and revived in 2003. It was then they decided to become a studio band, rather than a live band and all that remained were Pasi Kainiemi (guitars, synths, programming) and Pekka Aalto (drums). Now they have released their first EP: Foreword.

After the instrumental opener "Withering Of Reveries," a mellow song with nice orchestration and some narration by the first of the three guest vocalists, Megan Branigan, the second vocalist appears on "Nightingale," Susanna Syrjä. She has a nice voice, not high, not powerful, but very nice to listen to. The guitar parts are very good, but they could have sounded better, production-wise, but all together a good song. The third and last guest vocalist gets most of the songs, as Landis Lee Bender II, sings on the last three songs. "When The Heavens Fall" opens with some narration and keyboards, is more of an up-tempo song. Nice, heavier guitar riffs here and tight drums. More spacey keyboards in "Torn" in a mid-tempo song, but in the same vein as the previous song. Bender's vocals are quite good to listen to. As a bonus track, he sings his version of the song "Nightingale," which he sings very good.

The songs on Foreword are very good, and so are both the musicians and the singers. The only thing that really needs work is the production, because this is not so great at times and that affects the pleasure of listening to this album. If that improves, I can only see good things for these guys to come, because they have shown here they are capable of writing good songs and know how to play. Foreword is not just the title of this album, but in a larger sense it is the preface to the total concept, as Crimson Lotus intend to release more similar albums, with just 4-5 songs, that will every time has a story to tell. They may also make their recordings available through their internet site, so keep your eyes on them. Very good album!

[This review originally appeared May 2004 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
Withering Of Reveries / Nightingale / When The Heavens Fall / Torn / Nightingale (Aternate Version)

Musicians:
Pasi Kainiemi -guitars, synths, programming
Pekka Aalto - drums

Guests:

Megan Branigan - vocals
Susanna Syrjä - vocals
Landis Lee Bender II - vocals


Discography:
Foreward (2004)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin FI

Added: December 8th 2004
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.crimsonlotus.tk
Hits: 2310
Language: english