Sylvan - Deliverance

Year of Release: 1998
Label: Angular Records
Catalog Number: SKAN 8123 A'R
Format: CD
Total Time: 70:06:00

Like most neo-prog bands, German group Sylvan takes a lot of its cues from Genesis. In fact, one has to believe that guitarist Kay S?hl spent no little time studying Steve Hackett's playing, because his soloing style often has Hackett written all over it, what with those long, wailing notes. Also like many neo-prog bands, the guitar is heavier than anything you'd ever hear on a Genesis album. This album even has sections that border on prog metal, although most of the album pushes the metal meter only slightly higher than other neo-prog groups like IQ, Marillion, et al.

Most of the compositions are in the 10-minute range, with one that exceeds 16 minutes. A few shorter tracks round out the song list. For the most part, the songs are well written and performed, although the vocalist, while skilled, tends to be overly dramatic here and there. Still, the vocal delivery is sincere and passionate. Although a German band, the vocals are in English - a careful ear will catch a hint of an accent here and there.

Although there's a lot of Genesis inspiration, you can also hear hints of Pink Floyd, with spacey sections supported by droning keyboards and bolstered by lead guitar that adds a touch of Gilmour to the Hackett. In fact, in some places, such as near the end of the track "Unconsciously," the guitar playing sounds very Gilmour-ish. (Not surprisingly, Sylvan furnished a track for the Pink Floyd tribute album, Signs of Life.) Things don't stay still in any one style for long, though, as the songs go through their share of meter and tone changes like prog is wont to do. All in all, a competent album that should please most neo-prog fans.

Tracklisting:
Seeking Nights (10:50) / Golden Cage (4:50) / Unconsciously (10:00) / Safe (4:10) / Those Defiant Ways (9:15) / Deliverance (10:20) / Childhood Dreams (3:50) / A Fairytale Ending (16:45)

Musicians:
Marco Gl?hmann - vocals
Matthias Harder - drums
Patrick M?nster - bass
Kay S?hl - guitar
Volker S?hl - keyboards

Discography:
Chamäleon - Chamäleon (tape) (1992)
Chamäleon - Slaves (tape) (1994)
Chamäleon - Demo '95 (tape) (1995)
Signs Of Life (track on a sampler) (2000)
Deliverance (1999)
Encounters (2000)
Artificial Paradise (2002)
X-Rayed (2004)
Posthumous Silence (2006)
Presets (2007)
Leaving Backstage (2008)
Force Of Gravity (2009)
Sceneries (2012)
Home (2015)

Posthumous Silence - The Show (DVD) (2008)


Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin DE

Added: June 5th 2001
Reviewer: Clayton Walnum

Artist website: www.sylvan.de
Hits: 2290
Language: english