![]() Stonehenge druids with electric guitars, Bong’s music is like a ritual sacrifice taking place in your eardrum. Bong Beyond Ancient Space ( Ritual Productions) One thing I’ve always enjoyed about stoner bands are the unapologetically straightforward band names. This is what we want: an album made up of just a trio of tracks: two 25-minute offerings, and one that clocks in at nearly half an hour! With slow, chanting vocals and spooky spoken-word intros, this is like Hawkwind playing Sleep’s back catalogue. Still, if you like the idea of Velvet Underground’s Nico singing with Amon Düül II, this could be the band for you. The jury’s still out on the operatic antics of new gal Jannine Pusch, however. Beautifully presented - like they have finally been inaugurated into the Ritual pantheon, though in truth they may always have been the labels biggest draw. Hailing from Munich rather than Manhattan, Central Park combine Crimsonesque influences with symphonic and metallic sounds to intriguing effect. supported by 27 fans who also own Beyond Ancient Space A track for each side again - We Are, We Were, We Will Have Been was the same - but no lack of anticipation for Bongs latest. Star of the show is singer Simon Moskon, who – believe it or not – sounds like he’s been drafted in from 70s power-poppers Milk ’N’ Cookies. The debut album from Germany’s Cryptex can best be described as progressive folk metal – imagine Jethro Tull mixed with Tool and you wouldn’t be far off the mark. Eschewing the use of digital instruments and wearing their 70s influences proudly on their sleeve, Presto Ballet have produced one of the most outstanding prog albums of the year so far. His deep, sonorous singing style is at times reminiscent of Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson – which gives PB’s music an interesting emotional twist. This name can be formed by other hanja character combinations as well. The contribution of vocalist Ronny Munroe shouldn’t be underestimated, either. From Sino-Korean ( eun) meaning 'kindness, mercy, charity' or ( eun) meaning 'careful, anxious, attentive' combined with ( jeong) meaning 'courtyard' or ( jeong) meaning 'pretty, graceful'. Shacklett’s playing elevates Invisible Places into the upper reaches of the stratosphere, with Kurdt taking a backseat at times. The guy who provides the magic is new keyboardist Kerry Shacklett, a towering talent who Vanderhoof discovered via YouTube. Now, after two albums – Peace Among The Ruins (’05) and The Lost Art Of Time Travel (’08) – PB have emerged as a fully fledged band. Presto Ballet began as a simple side project for metal church guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof to indulge his love of 70s progressive rock – particularly the work of bands such as Yes, Kansas and Genesis. ![]()
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