Egg Wizard
This is a fantastic, cinematic listen of precise movements and virtuosic rhythmic switch ups. Zero dull moments, a rollercoaster ride of prog rock.
Favorite track: All Traps on Earth.
Uri Breitman
Ultimate masterpiece. Highest level of art rock. Amazing experience. Deep compositions with meticulous arrangements. I cannot recommend this album enough. Up there with Anglagard, definitely.
A must for serious proggers. Uplifting, ferocious, life-enhancing piece of genius. 10/10.
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 137 fans who also own “A Drop of Light”
This might be the least folky of the Wobbler releases and I wasn't sure about it at all.
After a few listens however I'm loving the inventiveness and the endless melodies, all driven along by Kristian Hultgren's wonderful percussive bass. PartTimeZombie
supported by 106 fans who also own “A Drop of Light”
In the Prog Archives, this is the only album from this millennium to crack the top 45 on the all time list. The lovable grognards over there can't seem to get enough of Wobbler, and neither can I. Leterren
supported by 101 fans who also own “A Drop of Light”
The new live EP by Ryan W. Stevenson's project reminded me, that this debut album must have been gone down the wishlist... If instrumental Canterbury stuff is your thing, this should be a no-brainer. Firmly rooted in the past (late 60s, 70s), nevertheless with a fresh sound. Guests incude The Tangent's Andy Tillison and Soft Machine's Theo Travis. Carsten Pieper
supported by 89 fans who also own “A Drop of Light”
Mysterious, yet nostalgic, Isolubilia is truly an ode to the romance found in the pursuit of a mystery. Musically rich in turbulence and serenity, majesty and humbleness, this album made me feel both lonely, yet understood as an isolated individual. Perhaps we're all fellow romantics, looking up at the same night sky, trying to wring our own meaning out of the stars. I hope that pursuit never ends. The John