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Pedestrians Of Blue (P:O:B) er norsk, men føles på ingen måte ut som et norsk band. De sies å være inspirert av Black Sabbath, Toto, Queensrÿche og Dream Theater, men har absolutt sin egen innfallsvinkel på sin melodiøse hardrock. Crossing Over er debutskiva (har kun gitt ut to EPer før) til bandet fra Haugesund, og viser tendenser til et band med stort potensiale. Kjernen i P:O:B består først og fremst av gitarist Torfinn Sirnes og vokalist/keyboardist Johannes Støle. Det er også disse karene som har mixet og produsert skiva. Albumet beskriver en ung manns reise gjennom en rekke dramatiske opplevelser knyttet til kjærlighet, familie og religion. De tolv låtene er innom alt fra poprock ("Promises") og hardrock ("Where The Rain Falls") til melodiøs metall ("The Other Side") og progressiv rock ("Out Of The Rain"). Låtmaterialet er med andre ord svært variert, og vi får høre et band som har mange strenger å spille på. Noe så ambisiøst som en konseptskive er også noe jeg vil berømme gutta for å satse på. Pluss for god vokal, god instrumentering og fine arrangementer. Dessverre er ikke alle låtene på skiva like sterke, og inni mellom føler jeg at lyden kunne vært bedre. Alt i alt en meget sterk debut fra et band som tør å gå egne veier. Anbefales til tilhengere av eksperimentell og melodiøs rock med sjel!
Henrik Fjørtoft (-)
My world of metal journey continues today, taking me to Norway and this first album release from P:O:B. The band’s full name is Pedestrians Of Blue which does not have anywhere near the same impact, IMO. It is released on the band’s own Fishfarm label, which they formed by choice despite their previous EPs attracting interest from other companies. This no doubt allows them to keep the independence and from the reviewers point of view signposts the direction for any praise and criticisms. The twelve tracks display various styles. The opener, Father and Son opens with a church organ being played for the opening thirty seven seconds before a cascade of instruments provides force and pace before settling into a steady beat and the arrival of the vocals. Further variations of pace and tempo keep this track going until its end. And this continues throughout the album, never falling into one category or pace throughout. The Line has an opening that reminded me of Erasure and Respect before this illusion was shattered as each of the four band members let loose with their individual skills to weave a Prog fans delight. There are commercial tracks on here, and there are tracks with heavy inspirations; a bit of something for everyone, then. Is it a case of jack of all trades and master of none? Well, no. The bases are covered and each listening to of this disk has provided a different favourite track. The only constant opinions I have maintained are that the album could have managed without How Much More Than A Dream, which is the slow ballad, and that the closer, Out Of The Rain, is too long and provides a weak ending to an otherwise excellent album.
Strawb (-)
This is a very intriguing album indeed by new act P:O:B who are from Norway. the band seems to be to have a sound all their own that doesn’t really borrow from anyone and that make’s it really exciting to listen to, it’s a sound that incorporates aor, melodic and progressive rock and then top’s it off with a fresh and invigorating modern mix courtesy of Daniel Flores who also play’s drums on the album. What I really like about this album is it’s differences it doesn’t sound like anyone else, it doesn’t care that it has a modern sounding production and I also like the way P:O:B have put out an album that will surprise and delight those of us who love to give these kind of difference’s a chance. A brilliant debut cd which I can recommend to everyone into intelligent rock music from Dream Theater over ACT to Toto.
Haugesundbandet P:O:B leverer her sin albumdebut etter tidligere å ha gjort et par EP'er. Bandets musikk er småtung, med prog-elementer, samtidig som den er ganske så melodiøs. Produksjonen er god, der Daniel Flores for øvrig har stått for miksen. Svensken er også blant de musikalske gjestene på platen. Låtmaterialet er sterkt, og "The Garden", med sine varierte elementer, fremstår kjapt som et av platens sterkere kutt. Vokalist Johannes Støle leverer solid arbeid på toppen av et godt instrumentalhåndarbeid, så fremføringsmessig er det heller ikke stort å utsette på "Crossing Over". Det er smakfullt gitarspill i tittelkuttet, samtidig som det er klare tendenser mot syttitalls-prog i "The Line". Den litt roligere "World Of Things" viser at P:O:B har evnen til å variere uttrykket, noe som er med på å gjøre "Crossing Over" til en plate du absolutt bør sjekke ut.
Jan Dahle (5/6)
Fra Haugesund kommer her P:O:B. De er et omtrent fem år gammelt band som til tross for å operere i et litt progressivt landskap, fokuserer i stor grad på det melodiøse og fengende. Med inspirasjon fra band som Black Sabbath, Toto , Queensrÿche og Dream Theater, presterer Johannes Støle og Torfinn Sirnes å skape seg et musikalsk uttrykk som egentlig ikke ligner på noen andre band. Og det uten å være sære. Det i seg selv er en prestasjon, og selv om flinkisstempelet er lett å sette på band i den progressive enden av skalaen, så unngår P:O:B det nettopp ved å ha så sterk fokus på den gode melodi. Dette er et konseptalbum, men låtene lever fint på egenhånd også, hver for seg. Dette er ei behagelig rockeskive uten å være polert og for snill. Og hvis ikke f.eks tittellåta eller avsluttende Out Of the Rain faller i smak hos deg, er det antagelig bare du som er sær og vanskelig. Sjekk ut P:O:B!
Hans Mikeal Ødegaard (5/6)
This is a huge surprise, because from out of nowhere the Norwegian band PEDESTRIANS OF BLUE release a superb Melodic Progressive Metalalbum that combines the best of the AOR and Progworld, mixing big technical instrumental parts a la RUSH/DREAM THEATER with clean catchy Melodic AOR choruses a la TOTO/STYX, sort of bombastic PompProgAORMetalish music is what we can hear on the first official full-length CD of PEDESTRIANS OF BLUE. The CD was produced by the bandmembers themselves, mixed by DANIEL FLORES of MIND'S EYE and mastered by the famous MIKA JUSSILA at Finnvox Studios. The sound is indeed huge and this album is one of the strongest Progressive Metal albums so far this year, although also the AOR/Melodic Rockfan will like it a lot I think. It also reminds me a bit of bands like GRAND ILLUSION, ACT, BLIND ALLEY and such Swedish stuff. Opener "Father and son" is one of the heaviest cuts here, but the following tracks "Promises", "The garden" and "Where the rain falls" rise and shine when it comes down to beautiful melodies and strong instrumental breaks, basically combining the best of both worlds, the Progressive and AOR world, resulting in an almost Pompish Metalsound. Without a doubt, this is a highly recommended debut album, so check it out asap!
Gabor Kleinbloesem (8.7/10)
Before two years, I had the chance to review the debut EP of this Norwegian band, Pedestrians Of Blue. To be honest with you, back then I wasn't so impressed with their music. When the time came for their debut album the band sent me their newest stuff. This time they chose "Crossing Over" as the title of their album and they have included twelve tracks and almost an hour of pure progressive rock music. Even if the band walks in the progressive music paths, the first three tracks are the best beginning for an album. The songs, even if they have a progressive atmosphere, are relatively simple and of course they have easy to remember refrains. Just hear the first three songs and you will understand my words. The compositions of Pedestrians Of Blue are more than well worked with very impressive ideas but in the background they have this rock feeling and you can hear the whole album easily and pleasantly. Sometimes the most complex moments of a song are when it is simple, with few melodies but great ideas. In the end, we have another quality release for this month! Definitely it is a hard decision which album you should buy…
Antonis Maglaras (8.5/10)
P:O:B's "Crossing Over - anbefales herved
Haugesundsbølgen ser ut til å slå inn over landet, og P:O:B (Pedestrians of Blue ) surfer den godt, heter det i en pressemelding tilflytt Karmsund. "Crossing over" er bandets debutalbum, og her serveres fengende, melodiøs hardrock på en ny og spennende måte. P:O:B er inspirert av flere storheter, som Black Sabbath, Toto, Queensrÿche og Dream Theater, men har sin egen innfallsvinkel. Med melodien i fokus utforsker bandet sjangerens grenser, blander ulike elementer og skaper med det sitt eget uttrykk. Gitarist Torfinn Sirnes og vokalist/keyboardistJohannes Støle danner kjernen i gruppa. "Konseptalbumet "Crossing over" beskriver en ung manns korte reise gjennom dramatiske opplevelser knyttet til familie, kjærlighet og religion og inneholder 12 sterke låter", alt ifølge den samme pressemelding. Med seg på debutalbumet har de to flere dyktige musikere; Daniel Flores (trommer), Harald Levang (trommer), Rudolf Fredly (bass), Paul Hansen (vokal) og Daniel Palmqvist (gitar). Deler av Karmsunds kulturseksjon har latt seg lytte til "Crossing Over". Og konklusjonen lander på en meget sterk pluss. Dette er solide saker, tydelig gjennomarbeidet. Låtene er jevnt over melodiøse og fengende. Ekstra pluss til "Where the rain falls", "The other side", samt avslutningslåten "Out of the rain". "Why" derimot, blir vel anmassende. Elleve av de tolv låtene er vokale, en er instrumental. Minuset med "Crossing over", i den grad det er et minus, er at låtene blir vel like seg selv. Men det er kanskje meningen? Anbefales, tildels varmt.
SOH, June 2007
Dark City Magazine (5/5)
This 3-track EP is the follow-up of “Circles Of Butterflies – The First Monologue”, the first demo from Norwegian melodic/progressive hard rock band Pedestrians Of Blue, which was released in 2002 and well-received by reviewers from all around the globe. Since then vocalist Johannes Stole and guitarist Torfinn Sirnes have added bass player Rudolf Fredly and drummer (producer) Harald Levang to the line-up and are now a fully fledged band. This EP contains the tracks “The Garden”, “Father & Son” and “World Of Things” and is meant as a foretaste for a forthcoming full album, that will include all three songs as well as nine others. POB serve an infectuous mix of melodic and progressive hard rock and surely makes the listener longing for more. To be continued.
Chris Lambert, August 2005
Denne 3-spors EPen fra Haugesundsbandet
Pedestrian Of Blue er lovende saker. Moderne melodiøs hard/progressiv
rock med trøkk. Sjansene for en platekontrakt bør være tilstede når
denne når frem til selskapene. ”The Garden” er klart best og har kvaliteter
i nærheten av Bergensgruppa On The Rise sitt sterke debutalbum. ”Father
& Son” og ”World Of Things” mangler flyt og blir for oppstykket. Arrangementene
er for ambisiøse gutter! Lydbildet er tøft og gitarene treffer hardt.
Pedestrians Of Blue ville vært et bra valg for italienske Frontiers
Record. Send dem et eksemplar!
- Gustav Alfheim, August 2005
Smart lyrics, captivating music and tidy production. This debut demo is some what impressive. They have been described using names like Queensryche, Toto and Metallica. I can see where people are coming from when saying this but personally they remind me of Katatonia, with the doom-like atmosphere and clever song writing. With one listen of Crossing, I had it stuck in my head for the rest of the night. A very talented new band with a very accomplished first release. Rating: 8/10
-G-, January 2003
Few monthes ago I introduced to you Orange Crush from Norway and today from this band arises the project called Pedestrians Of Blue of singer/keyboardist Johannes Stole who, with Torfinn Sirnes (gt) and Kjetil Lundo (bs), releases a six tracks mini-cd titled "Circles Of Butterflies", a total change of artistic horizon than AOR/melodic rock music of Orange Crush. Infact, here they deal with a melodic heavy rock, sometimes dark and with progressive hints reflecting somehow Queensryche, Metallica and Enchant, but overlooked by Stole's melodic singing who confirms himself a great vocalist.
Opener "Father & Son" is maybe the heaviest track, sort of mix between Metallica and Black Sabbath with unexpected prog accents similar to Arena and a closing part recalling of Dream Theater because of the great keyboard work.
Following "Crossing" offers a dark and oppressive verse that flows anyway into a catchy and melodic refrain, with a great key-solo to close a track furnished with a peculiar charm.
With "When The Rain Falls" the three musicians move deeper into experimens with electronic percussions, filtered vocals and wisely spread effects. In this song progressive rock is bounced with heavy metal of the '90s keeping high the melodic dose thanks (as already stated above) to the vocals.
"Out Of The Rain" is the last real song starting tiny and melancholic as an Autumnal rainy day, suddenly broken by a might guitar riff over which we can hear a synth solo recalling of the '70s, leading us to pompous openings like Kansas/Arena.
The edited version of "Crossing" and "Out of the Rain" don't add much else to what already expressed by these splendid artists to whom I only reproach the use of a drum machine sometimes irritating the listening, but the songwriting is really excellent and if no label should ever sign them, this would be a great unjustice. (Rating: 90/100)
- Andrea Bertamino, December 2002
No need to pick up our crystal ball to guess that the band with the rather strange moniker is up to something peculiar. With only two musicians on board, this young Norwegian combo indeed evolves in a direction that seems to have but very few boundaries and that's just fine because nowadays, you often sign your death warrant (on a commercial level, that is) when you're committing yourself to one particular genre. Although the whole thing sounds rather "straight" where structures are concerned, you soon notice that the band sprinkled some Prog influences in the casserole in order to make the compositions more alive, without ever making them lose their efficiency. At times, you get these passages with a clear Pain Of Salvation tendency (notably on "Crossing" and "Out Of The Rain") but there is also a certain reserve on the level of emotions. Pedestrians Of Blue indeed prioritize soft ambiances and don't allow themselves any hysterical outbursts, which in the end would be out of place here anyway I guess. It deserves to be mentioned that this sense of temperance gives them a very special quality, at times a bit retro but definitely charming... (Rating: 85/100)
- RNO, November 2002
Plötsligt har det börjat røra sig lite i Norge igjen. PEDESTRIANS OF BLUE rör sig i traktarna av DREAM THEATER (de menar sjølv at de blandar QUEENSRYCHE, TOTO och METALLICA; jovars) fast ändå med tilräckligt av ett eget sound. Plattan har fyra låtar, plus två av låtarna i "edit"-versioner som bonus. Det startar med et parti i "Father & Son" som påminner om senare BLACK SABBATH. När låten senare er kommit igång är det snarare DREAM THEATER eller VANDEN PLAS man tänker på. Stark sång och imponerande keyboards av Johannes Stole, väldigt kraftfulla körer och en suveren produktion gör at detta band imponerar STORT på mig. Gitarristen Torfinn Sirnes går heller inte av för spadar. Sammantaget med det faktum att de trots alt bringer lite eget i soundet och låtarna, är detta ett av de bästa nya progressiva metalbanden som har kommit på länge. Visst misstänker man att de lyssnat på DREAM THEATER innan "Where the Rain Falls" skrevs, men så blixtrar de til i avslutande "Out of the Rain" som innehåller ett makalöst skönt og unikt break efter 3 minutter. Glimrende! Ge mig mer!
- Ola Gränshagen, October 2002
Desverre har vi uteglemt PEDESTRIAN OF BLUE i et par utgaver av denne spalten. Men nå er de på plass. Bandet, som kommer fra Haugesund, har laget en interessant seks-spors CD med mange finesser. Demo'en imponerer på mange plan. Musikkstilen er på ingen måte ekstrem, men heller sofistikert i en progressiv og intelligent melodiøs retning uten å bli forutsigbar. Tyngen er også til stede i flere av låtene, men langt fra å overskygge den gode låtstrukturen. Musikerne er åpenbart dyktige. Det innebefatter også den stilsikre vokalisten. Dette er musikk for de som liker leken og variert keyboard, rytmikk og gitarspill. Med på kjøpet for man også mange andre artige og kunsneriske detaljer bygd på en progressiv musikkplattform. Vakkert og spennende fra oppriktig musikalske fotgjengere fra Haugesundsområdet.
- A.J.Blisten, September 2002
You may remember a band called Orange Crush from a few issues ago. The lead singer Johannes Stole has sent me a CD of his current side project Pedestrians Of Blue. When he emailed me he asked would I be interested in a band that is a combination of Toto, Queensryche and Metallica. I said yes. Which proved to be a wise move as this is a demo to be reckoned with. Once again Johannes has proved that he is a consumate songwriter who can turn his hand to the high tech westcoast of Orange Crush through to the complex arrangements of Pedestrians Of Blue. His partner in crime on this projest is guitarist Torfinn Sirnes who provides some very chunky riffs and clever fills. Johannes earlier summation of his music is absolutely spot on. For proof just listen to the Queensryche inspired "Father And Son" with it's huge Metallica style crunching riff and clever arrangement. If like me you thought that Queensryches best moment was "Rage For Order" then "Crossing" is the song for you. This could have come straight from Rage. Metallica take their turn next with the heavy but very melodic "Where The Rain Falls" and the demo finishes in fine style with "Out Of The Rain". You're probably thinking where does the Toto connection come in. Well, that's down to the very smooth vocal delivery of Johannes Stole that gives this demo it's melody and style. This is certainly one of the better demo's out there and alongside his Orange Crush project I can see Johannes being signed up very quickly. If you are wondering what the bands name means then you had better go over to www.pedestriansofblue.com to find out.
- Rob Evans, August 2002
Pedestrians Of Blue is without a doubt one of the most promising Norwegian rockbands at the moment. The band consists of singer/keyboard player Johannes Stole and guitarist Torfinn Sirnes. On their first demo CDR Circles Of Butterflies - recorded, mixed and produced by the band in their home studio - bassist Kjetil Lundo joins them. No drummer was found so the band had to use a drumcomputer, a major concession because these drums sound rather flat in comparison to the warm and powerful sound of the other instruments.
‘Father And Son’ is the first song on the EP. A good choice because this song is brilliant from beginning to the end. It’s not hard to determine where the roots of the band lie - Queensryche, Metallica and Arena - but there is not a single moment where any of these major bands get copied. The way the songs develop is surprisingly progressive, changes in melody are quite original.
The second song ‘Crossing’ gives the musicians the opportunity to profile themselves, with catchy vocals and great melodies.
The beginning of ‘When The Rain Falls’, reminds me of Dream Theatre, but also a lot of other bands come to mind. I’m not particularly charmed by the manipulation of the vocals (‘Cher-ish’) and prefer the up-tempo vocal-melodies. ‘Out Of The Rain’ is the final song on the disc and starts out as a balled à la Anathema. The subtle piano-melodies are followed by an outburst of instrumental power. The chorus is great (some Kansas here), again Stole proves to be more than an average singer.
I know this band is still looking for a record label and musicians, to be able to record their first full-length album. I don’t know why, because as I wrote, this is without a doubt one of the most promising bands in Norway and probably the whole of Scandinavia. (Rating: 9/10)
- Geert Oldenmenger, July 2002
Half a year ago, I received a demo by Orange Crush, an excellent pop/melodic rock band based on the west coast of Norway, more specifically Haugesund. Johannes Stole, keyboardist, singer and mastermind behind Orange Crush, has now teamed up with guitarist Torfinn Sirnes to form Pedestrians Of Blue, a new project with a rather different musical direction from Orange Crush (also reviewed here at Rock Of Norway).
Inbetween getting contacted by Johannes and receiving the demo, I snuck into the MP3 section of the project's website, and was practically blown out of my chair upon hearing the demo's opener, "Father & Son". This had me on the phone to Rock Of Norway contributors Per Erik and Geir in seconds flat, and my two cohorts took an immediate shine to Pedestrians Of Blue as well.
"Circles of Butterflies (The First Monologue)" features 6 tracks all in all, 2 of which ("Crossing" and "Out of the Rain") appear in both regular and edited versions. Drum samples a lá Alanis Morissette lay part of the foundation for opener "Father & Son", where I also spot hints of Black Sabbath (circa "Headless Cross") and groovy guitar riffs reminiscent of Metallica. Bands like Dream Theater (circa "Metropolis"), Vanden Plas, Fate's Warning and Ayreon also spring to mind, probably due to the fairly ambitious arrangement, as well as Stole's voice sounding like a mix between James LaBrie, Bobby Kimball and Andy Kuntz (Vanden Plas).
"Crossing" is up next, and sports a slightly goth-like synth intro which is more Paradise Lost than prog, but the latter style soon prevails in the song. Vanden Plas, Queensrÿche and a synth solo which could have been lifted straight off "When Dream and Day Unite" or "Images and Words" era Dream Theater, is what "Crossing" reminds me of, and like opener "Father & Son", this is yet another corker!
Swedish newcomers Evergrey and Token, as well as Queensrÿche and Vanden Plas, strike me as the nearest reference points for track 3, "When the Rain Falls": Somewhat experimental neo prog which also makes use of a vocoder effect similar to the one applied to Cher's vocals on her hit "Believe" ... but that's about the only thing our Norwegian friends have in common with the American singer/actor, too! :-) Not counting the 2 edits which round off the EP, "Out of the Rain" is the final song this time around. Starting out as a ballad, but soon seguing into melodic prog rock again similar to early Vanden Plas, this tune even features a great synth solo in late 1970's pomp rock style - excellent stuff!
With such an abundance of great material on offer - progressive hard rock, but still very melodic - I have to declare this EP a minor masterpiece! I am convinced that this band will get signed sooner or later, and that "Circles of Butterflies (The First Monologue)" is only the first sign of life from a project that by all rights should be huge! (Rating: 9/10)
- Terje Hoiland (translated by Geir Aamo), July 2002
Additional note:
As a listener not very taken with the likes of Dream Theater, Vanden Plas or neo progressive metal in general, I want to point out that to these ears, Pedestrians Of Blue are distinctively different from the abovementioned bands: First and foremost, Stole and Sirnes have a keen ear for accessible melody lines, as well as advanced arrangements that still sound musical rather than technical. The riffs may have a bit of Metallica to them, but Sirnes counterparts these with wonderful, flowing chorus guitar lines. Keyboardwise, Stole isn't afraid to solo in vintage 1970's style, which I, like Rock Of Norway editor Terje, enjoy immensely. As a singer, Stole isn't a million miles away from Kevin Gilbert or Richard Page (Mr. Mister), and this lends the fairly heavy music a melodic sheen that I quite like. The resulting atmospherics are gorgeously dark and even haunting at times - paired nicely with (mainly) Sirnes' melancholic, well-written lyrics. I can only second editor Terje's feeling that Pedestrians Of Blue is one to watch in the future!
- Geir Aamo, July 2002
This is a new band from Norway. PEDESTRIANS OF BLUE consists of singer/keyboard player Johannes Stole and guitarist Torfinn Sirnes. This is their debut demo CD-R and it is a high quality recording that will surely turn some heads and alert the A&R's of many record companies. The music on this debut, demo CD-R is a mixture of Progressive Rock with Metal (think of ARENA and VANDEN PLAS and -definitely- ENCHANT) and some pleasant -but in no case run of the mill- A.O.R. The lead vocals are very good and super melodic. The sound is clear -however the programmed drums are sometimes irritating- and modern -so no real complains as far as the production goes- and the A.O.R, Progressive Rock/Metal and even casual rock lovers will be impressed!
- Georgios Sidiropoulos, July 2002
Some of you may remember Johannes Stole as the driving force behind the Norweigan pop outfit Orange Crush. Pedestrians of Blue, his other band, can be seen as somewhat of a departure; the anti-Crush, if you will. More metal-edged, this EP presents Stole’s angrier musical personality, made up of four songs with a progressive metal feel.
Of the four songs, I’d say ‘Father & Son’ is the heaviest, having a riff which settles somewhere between commercial Metallica (circa the self-titled black album) and a Black Sabbath groove. Whilst Stole showcases the harder edge of his vocals, Sirnes proves he’s more than competent in the guitar department. One thing which I notice here (as with the Orange Crush EP previously) is the presence of programmed drum tracks. With Orange Crush’s pop bias, it did not matter so much, but with Pedestrians of Blue’s more metallic approach, it can seem a little out of place...
The vocal arrangement of ‘Crossing’ may be a little by the book (y’know, big backing vocals with slight Geoff Tate-isms on the lead) but I find when it works well it still hits the mark. I have to say, I’m not keen on the vocal treatments on ‘Where The Rain Falls’, but the track does have other good qualities, namely a solid guitar riff and great musical arrangement. I’m not completely sure how the funky mid-section came about, but I’m sure the band have their reasons. here’s something here which reminds me of the greatly-missed Icon, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. ‘Out Of The Rain’, again shows Queensryche influences, vocally and musically, and in terms of arrangement it’s without question the best thing this EP has to offer. Fans of the softer-end of the prog-metal genre would be advised to check it out.
The press release mentions Toto influences, but I’m not hearing any at all, so I’m a little confused as to what that may be about. Despite my dislike of the programmed drums, which sound a little small up against the material, with regard to production values this EP is absolutely spot on. It has a very polished sound for something self-financed. So, it’s definitely not Orange Crush, but that’s the obvious intention. I’m now left wondering which project Johannes Stole will work on next.
- Lee J. Aspin, July 2002
Out of Norway comes the new band PEDESTRIANS OF BLUE, a duo formed around singer/keyboardplayer Johannes Stole (also lead singer from ORANGE CRUSH) and guitarist Torfinn Sirnes. The result of this co-operation is the debut demo CDR 'Circles of butterflies', a high quality recording. The music on this first, excellent, demo CDR is a mixture of Progressive Rock and Metal with a dash of pleasant AOR melodies during the harmonic choruses. The lead vocals are very good and super melodic, and although they are described as a mix between TOTO, METALLICA and QUEENSYCHE, I would rather describe them as a mix between ARENA, ENCHANT and VANDENPLAS with some AOR choruses thrown in for good measure.
I need to add that it's really the truth about this CD, when I say that this Norwegian band is one of the high hopes for the future in Norwegian Rockmusic. Their 4 songs on this CD prove that they have a crystal clear sound that has something to offer for fans of AOR, Prog. Rock/Metal and even the ordinary music lovers might pick this up and have a good time! My favourite tracks are "Father and son" (great midtempo progressive melodic rocker a la ENCHANT), "Crossing" (VANDENPLAS, excellent melodic harmonyvocals during the chorus) and "Out of the rain" (starts very calm, but then suddenly changes into a fun uptempo Sympho tune a la ARENA). (Rating: 8.5/10)
- Gabor Kleinbloesem, June 2002