Ken's Novel are Sebastien Mentior, Geoffrey Leontiev, Eric Vanderbemden, Patrick Muermans and Bruno
Close. For more, there's included a long list of visiting stars. 'Domain of Oblivion' is the band's
second long play (long play indeed) from 2004. Previous, 'The Guide' appeared 1999, so they are not
very productive.
Ken's Novel is yet another (fifth to be exact) interesting Belgian group I've got familiar to,
besides of Univers Zero, Mindgames, Amanda and Ghiribizzi. Based on these, Belgia begins to feel
like a great prog rock country.
At first listen I got the strong impression of The Flower Kings. The impression mainly comes from
vocals: Patrick Muermans' voice and singing style are somewhat similar to Roine Stolt and so it
affects a slight reaction of sickness, but that'll pass by the first song that is aimless and weak by
not only speaking about vocals - Also the music itself reminds me of Flower Kings, not so
strongly but it does. There's similarities in keyboards, guitars and overall rhytmic structures. But
as I continue listening, it slowly begins to reveal its true nature - the sickness aspect
soon fades away as the album gets better and begins to work in full power and elegance.
Truthly speakin I'm a bit confused for according to PA I should be listening to neo prog? Well maybe
their first one is that, but this I barely can think of neo even if there might be some minor
influences from there. So I decide that I'm listening to traditional, pure progressive rock.
Connections or similarities I find from Flower Kings and via that from Yes, and Nemo and... actually
that's frustrating! Let this be just prog.
In music I usually don't care about the lyrics, the only thing there is that they have to Sound
Good! And that's why i can listen to all languages, whether it's Japanese, Finnish, Italian or
English, they're all the same. So I really don't know what they are singing about, but this is
apparently about Ken's trip to somewhere the fountain of knowledge or something? Thus this is a
thematic album where all the song are connected. The music and playing works well after the tame
beginning and is then variative and fresh not basing too much to any spesific instrument, like
guitar. These guys can play and they know what they're doing, they are equal. The album is quite
relaxing and subtle experience where all the ultimate highlights and stunning moments are absent. 3½
stars, Recommended!
Close. For more, there's included a long list of visiting stars. 'Domain of Oblivion' is the band's
second long play (long play indeed) from 2004. Previous, 'The Guide' appeared 1999, so they are not
very productive.
Ken's Novel is yet another (fifth to be exact) interesting Belgian group I've got familiar to,
besides of Univers Zero, Mindgames, Amanda and Ghiribizzi. Based on these, Belgia begins to feel
like a great prog rock country.
At first listen I got the strong impression of The Flower Kings. The impression mainly comes from
vocals: Patrick Muermans' voice and singing style are somewhat similar to Roine Stolt and so it
affects a slight reaction of sickness, but that'll pass by the first song that is aimless and weak by
not only speaking about vocals - Also the music itself reminds me of Flower Kings, not so
strongly but it does. There's similarities in keyboards, guitars and overall rhytmic structures. But
as I continue listening, it slowly begins to reveal its true nature - the sickness aspect
soon fades away as the album gets better and begins to work in full power and elegance.
Truthly speakin I'm a bit confused for according to PA I should be listening to neo prog? Well maybe
their first one is that, but this I barely can think of neo even if there might be some minor
influences from there. So I decide that I'm listening to traditional, pure progressive rock.
Connections or similarities I find from Flower Kings and via that from Yes, and Nemo and... actually
that's frustrating! Let this be just prog.
In music I usually don't care about the lyrics, the only thing there is that they have to Sound
Good! And that's why i can listen to all languages, whether it's Japanese, Finnish, Italian or
English, they're all the same. So I really don't know what they are singing about, but this is
apparently about Ken's trip to somewhere the fountain of knowledge or something? Thus this is a
thematic album where all the song are connected. The music and playing works well after the tame
beginning and is then variative and fresh not basing too much to any spesific instrument, like
guitar. These guys can play and they know what they're doing, they are equal. The album is quite
relaxing and subtle experience where all the ultimate highlights and stunning moments are absent. 3½
stars, Recommended!
