krotix
New Prog with all that entails, elements of classical/ jazz/ operatic vocals. Hints of King Crimson, Vandergraff Generator, etc and a dash of Metal.
Favorite track: Magmatic Warning.
ROWIAL
As an original 70ies proggy I came to know about 90ies retroprog incidentally and rather late; from "retro-proggies" 10-20 yrs younger than me. Änglagård's 2 CDs were among their most praised albums. For me 'A Drop of Light' finally delivers overwhelmingly, colorfully and lissomly what Änglagård once promised ± impressively but also somewhat primly &/or clunky. A little like ’The Death defying Unicorn’ in 2012 this is a great, richly instrumented reinvention & renewal of prog. BRILLANT.
Carsten Pieper
Änglagård fans behold! As you can expect after a look on the liner notes or the credits section, this is for you! As for every friend of classic prog. A masterpiece!
Favorite track: Bortglömda Gårdar.
Tidlösa rum
i ett mörker
av eviga eviga tankar
Bortglämda gårdar
i en annan tid
en annan värld
av eviga drömmar
Avtryck av liv
från en barndom
då livet var magiskt av änglar
Generationer av öden
i en annan tid
en annan värld
av gamla traditioner
Själlösa hus
i ett mörker
eviga bortglömda gårdar
about
Take a modern progressive rock fan and let him listen to the first notes of "A Drop of Light", debut album from a new project called All Traps on Earth: we have no doubt that it will take him a few seconds only to recall a name that has become a legend of Scandinavian symphonic prog: Änglagård!
As a matter of fact, All Traps on Earth is the name chosen by Änglagård's founding member and bassist Johan Brand for this project of his, involving keyboard player Thomas Johnson and drummer / percussionist Erik Hammarström from the same 'source band'. They are joined by Johan's talented daughter, Miranda Brand on vocals, as well as a plethora of guests from the Swedish scene.
Almost five years of painstaking work and an obsessive care and attention even for the smallest details have led to the creation of an exceptional work that starts Änglagård's music, amplifies its complexity and epicness, and enriches its sonic spectrum thanks to the presence of five other musicians on guitar and wind instruments. As for instrumentation, improvisation, dynamics, rhythmic shifts and atmosphere, All Traps on Earth have put no limits, releasing a monumental record, destined to leave a mark not only for the current year 2018, but also in the future to come.
Fans of King Crimson, Goblin, Magma, the Canterbury scene and even of Ennio Morricone, whose sounds are frequently recalled during the record, will enjoy this album for sure, but we have no doubt that any prog-lover will appreciate this unexpected, fantastic album.
* * *
Physical copies (CD, double LP and limited deluxe boxset) available on www.btf.it.
credits
released November 16, 2018
Johan Brand: Mellotron M400 and M4000D, Moog Voyager, Moog Minitaur, organs, Fender Rhodes, clavinet. Rickenbacker 4001 and 4001S basses, Fender Jazz Deluxe bass, Revelation Jazzmaster VI bass, Moog Taurus 1. Epiphone Gibson Les Paul guitar, Green Gibson Les Paul guitar. Percussion, vocals.
Thomas Johnson: Grand pianos, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzers, pianets, clavinet, organs, Mellotron M4000D, Moog Voyager.
Erik Hammarström: Drums: Tama Artstar I (Cordia), cymbals. Yamaha Oak Custom Absolute Noveau snare drum. Vibraphone, marimba, xylophone, glockenspiel, crotales, timpani, gran cassa, wood blocks, tam-tam, tubular bells.
Miranda Brand: Vocals.
Guest musicians:
Fredrik Lindborg: Bass clarinet, baritone, tenor, alto and soprano saxophone.
Karl Olandersson: Trumpet, flugelhorn.
Magnus Båge: Concert flute.
Matthias Bååth: Bass and concert flute. Tenor and alto recorder.
Phil Mercy: Organic guitars.
All music written, arranged and produced by Johan Brand, with contributions from Thomas Johnson.
Lyrics by Johan Brand.
supported by 107 fans who also own “A Drop of Light”
One of the best examples of a modern band making vintage prog music without it being old, or trying to hard to replicate what was done before. Its easy for modern prog to be too far into basic rock, this band does anything but that. Highly recommend. Grievous Swoons
supported by 82 fans who also own “A Drop of Light”
Anyone with an aversion to "contemporary prog" should listen to Wobbler and they'd realize that prog classics are not just confined to the 1970s. This album is just so tight on every level that if you'd have told me this was recorded in 1974, I'd have no basis for questioning it other than the lack of more prominent tape hiss. Great from start to finish! babayetu
supported by 59 fans who also own “A Drop of Light”
What can I say about Big Big Train that I haven’t said before?
This album took a little while to grow on me but by the time I saw it live I was in love with its humongous, over-egged pomposity! They do it all with such passion, excitement and amazing musicianship.
Essential. Crinklechips
Throwing mathcore, emo, and ambient into the mix, Estonia's Kaschalot push progressive rock's multitasking approach to its limits. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 10, 2021