Soniq Theater - A Second Of Action

Year of Release: 2002
Label: independent
Catalog Number: -
Format: CD
Total Time: 57:44:00

As the title clearly shows A Second Of Action represents chapter number two for Soniq Theater, the solo project created by gifted keyboard player Alfred Muller. So once again the listener finds him- or herself surrounded by lots of bombastic ivory sounds that recall the beautiful atmospheres of such bands like Ars Nova or the Wakeman family. For example, as soon as the album starts you will find two masterful strokes like "The Gold Rush" and the fast-paced "Elephant Race," where thousand of notes joyfully chase one another along a pentagram. But there's also the sumptuousness of "Marakanda," or the aggressive rhythms of "Centaurus," where the guitars play a very important role. As you can see, Alfred's ability is that he can easily change musical landscapes, and this is exemplified also by the redundant atmospheres of "Way To Karakorum" or "Seventh Crusade." Unfortunately, I can't speak so well of the production, which is once again biased by the cold sound of electronic drums. But please note that this is an independent release, and Alfred has to do everything: from playing to producing, recording and mixing. Not quite an easy task. However Alfred fills almost everything with clever knowledge and a full array of ideas, so if you love instrumental music you should absolutely try out his new opus, I think you will be very satisfied in the end.

Tracklisting:
The Gold Rush (7:14) / Elephant Race (4:01) / Marakanda (4:04) / Centaurus (5:14) / Way To Karakorum (4:06) / Transsiberian Railroad (4:05) / Seventh Crusade (5:01) / Nocturno (1:56) / Halcyon Days (6:24) / Gulliver's Travels (6:32) / Bon Voyage (3:58) / Phoenix (4:55)

Musicians:
Alfred Mueller - keyboards, electronic drums and percussion, sampled guitars and basses, vocal samples, emulated acoustic instruments, special fx

Discography:
Soniq Theater (2001)
A Second Of Action (2003)
The Third Eye (2003)
This Mortal Coil (2004)
Pandromania (2005)
Enchanted (2006)
Seventh Heaven (2007)
Life Seeker (2008)
Vision Quest (2009)
Unknown Realities (2010)
Force Majure (2011)

Genre: Symphonic Prog

Origin DE

Added: May 4th 2003
Reviewer: Igor Italiani

Artist website: www.soniqtheater.de
Hits: 1739
Language: english