Please note that some of these reviews are
translated into english from the original language. The
reviewers are therefore not responsible for any possible
descripancies in these translations in relation to the
original.
Ekrano (demo): The third, Submergency, Day of release, Pendulum spring, Arrow
There is something really strange about Stockholm’s Book of Hours. ”Ekrano” [VIII/cd/5] lasts for a mere twentythree minutes – yet it feels twice as long, but never getting the least boring.
It’s a phenomenon that I can’t recall having ever experienced before.
The many varied passages are probably the answer to this. The listener is taken – to use a well established cliché – on a musical journey filled with highs and peaks. It displays delicate KING CRIMSON-antiquities as well as more accessible (hard) rock. Melancholy and gloom juxtaposed with playfulness and joy.
Intelligent and beautiful.
The biggest concern, apart for that with the duration, is what that gnome voice at the end of “The third” is actually saying. Please give me peace of mind and tell me.
A three track promo of high quality. The music is exciting, suggestive and
rather dark, though never gloomy. Scenery from the Lord of the rings movies
pop up in my head. Maybe it's because of Anni Thulin's beautiful anglosaxon-ish
vocals. The music gives me hints at bands like the Swedish Pain of Salvation
and Paathos [sic] and Norwegian White Willow. On an earlier CD (Art to the
blind 1999) the sound was a lot more noisy and heavy, more in the vein of
King Crimson and Anekdoten. The attached letter promises that they have not
abandoned that side of the music. Book of Hours seems to have found their
musical home! More info can be found at www.bookofhours.tk
Book of hours is an interesting new band from Sweden and they have released one demo,
'Previously unreleased'. The opening track, "Infertile Ground" is a nice and promising start to
the tape. The winning track on this cassette, though, is, "Tender Contempt". Book of Hours
have been rather joyful both musically and lyrically, but this very demo shows a much darker
and heavier side to the band. Mr Reinholdsson has also managed to create a fine piece of lyrics
on the track "Tender Contempt".
The influence from contemporary progbands like Dream Theater is clearly shown in the music,
particularly in 'Animating misery'. I earlier mentioned the bassplayers lyrical work on 'Tender
Contempt'. The drummer (Henrik Johansson) has really made a nice piece of poetry in
‘Endearment'. The growth of this band, I think, lies in the lyrics this time.
To sum it up; Very good lyrics and great music. So, listen and enjoy!
This Swedish quintet offers a demo-tape which feels really progressive, with black moods and
heaviness, spiced with lyrical vocals and a piano with a very seventies sound.
When you listen to the first song (are they fans of the Gabriel-era of Genesis?) you feel the
influence but without even touching plagiarism, because the guitars have a hard sound while
the tempo of the band is rather soft.
To enjoy this demo one needs patience, repeated listening, an open mind and a good dose of
curiosity, as is the case with every fan of progressive rock.
The length of the songs might be something some people would find disturbing but it is
essential to the compositions to make room for all breaks and counter-breaks, solos and
moments of silence.
It’s a style that requires good technical skills, which this band possesses. People who like dark
moods is taken on a journey into a universe, which isn’t entirely happy, but still, at the same
time pleasant, and with a nice voice.
This demo shows that Scandinavia isn’t just Death and Black Metal.
And that’s even better!
BOH is a Swedish band who plays music they self calls «Symphonic folk
metal» which i can agree. They have been playing together for around
one and a half year. The Drummer started the band after he met the
bass-player at a Bruce Dickinson-gig. SAY NO MORE !! I think this
band is really great to play, but their musical style is far out of
date. But if there are someone out there who likes screaming vocal
and heavymetal the old way, you can contact these guys for further
info.
A Swedish unsigned band have send me their demo and where I expected
death metal, I got to hear very melodic metal with clean vocals &
keyboards. Very enchanting music, I must say; too bad they don’t
fit in a death/black ‘zine because this band knows what it’s doing.
The songs all last pretty long and aren’t the slightest bit boring.
The ideal music to float away on when you’re trapped in misery
again. Have you got feeling for melody? Then you don’t need to
hesitate to contact:
Henrik Johansson
Höknäs 6
780 68 Transtrand
Sweden
Book of Hours are:
Stefan Zell on Vocals
Mattias Reinholdson on Bass
Per Broddesson on Guitar, Recorder and Keyboards
Henrik Johansson on Drums, Pumporgan and Recorder
The tracks are :
1. Infertile Ground (8:10)
2. Tender Contempt (6:00)
3. Animating Misery (Proloogue to Mental Discharge) (4:10)
4. (Endearment (6:30)
[Excerpt from band biography omitted]
Book of Hours blend atmospheric keyboards, fine melodies, immense
hooks and a very hard edged guitar sound to create an overall sound
best described a somewhere between early Genesis and Black Sabbath
with some excellent guitar work that should appeal to rock fans
right across the spectrum.
'Infertile Ground' gets the whole thing going and if any of you out
there are still under the impression that this is just another tape
of twiddly twaddles, bullshit, because 'Infertile Ground' is simply
bursting with heavy guitars and a real rock steady rhythm, it is
also very obvious that Book Of Hours are fine musicians and proof
of that staement is there for all to see in the following number
'Tender Contempt', a fine instrumental with a great rhythm that
will have fans of Dream Theater and Rush simply thinking this is
sheer delight. While 'Animating Misery' has a somewhat sinister
feel to it made possible by some heavy guitar work and a fine
vocal delivery.
Unfortunately I cannot tell you what the last track is like, as
the tape gave up on me,but if it's like the rest of the tape,
then I'm sure you will be in for a treat.
Book Of Hours are once again living proof, that you don't need a
big budget and fancy PR to make good music. Having real talent is
just as good. Why not check them out for yourselves.
Book of Hours- Previously Unreleased [Demotape (1997)]
A Swedish fourpiece that shows their skills. Heavy, melodic,
melancolic, beautiful. Book of Hours are Stefan Zell (vocals),
Mattias Reinholdsson (bass), Per Broddesson (guitar) and Henrik
Johansson (drums & percussion) and have released two demos and are
about to release a CD on the Record Heaven label.
This is their debut demo and Ulf Nygård has participated playing
keyboards (even though both Broddeson and Johansson handles those
duties with excellence on the opening track "Infertile Ground").
It's all about complex heavy music. The band has been compared to
Anekdoten by some, I myslef have heard too little by the latter to
be able to judge. My spontaneous feeling is that where Anekdoten
mostly sounds noisy ( might be because most of what I've
heard with them have been live) Book of Hours "catches" the melodies
better.
There's a vibe of melancholy, the bass on the second track "Tender
contempt" is, in my humble opinion, wonderful. This is music with
an atmosphere. Stefan Zell's voice really gets under my skin and
makes me shiver. It's very nice to hear a Swedish vocalist with so
much "emotion" The A-side is rounded up by the third track "Animating
misery (Prologue to 'Mental Discharge')" and the fourth and last
track, "Endearment" is on the B-side. This is clearly above
average!
When I, after 10 issues, gave notice as Jorden Runt [i.e. "demo reviewing column"] reviewer this
little compilation comes to remind me of what I've left behind.
And it is not without a sting of regret in my heart that I remake
acquaintance with the underground. In fact, 12 of the 14 (solely
Swedish) featured bands has been seen in the above mentioned
pages. Only CRANIAL DUST from Umeå and SPARZANZA are new names to
yours truly.
The first of the above mentioned bands stands out only because it is
the only Black-Metal act, otherwise they don't have much to add
to the fed-up scen of today. The other bands play a sort of BLACK
SABBATH meets STOOGES-jam, not entirely unsuccessful.
Other bands with a promising future are STATE (black rock), BENEATH
and MORTICIA (Heavy hardrock), IN GREY and AD INFINITUM (promising
metal, provided the singing is improved).
The favourites are DORMITORY from Helsingborg (twisted tech-metal),
PIPER'S DAWN from Nyköping (totally un-hipp hardrock with female
vocals) and finally BOOK OF HOURS. This particular band awakes my
interest. Their demo "Previously unreleased" offered mostly symphonic
rock and here they show their extremely heavy side. Symphonic doom?
Give me more!
Book of Hours - "We find your lack of faith disturbing" [Demotape (1998)]
Book of Hours presents another four songs on their second demo.
They are basically the same band as on the first demo, although
Stefan Zell (vocals) is listed as guest musician and Mikael Zell
(no instrument given) has been added to the band. Even Ulf Nygård is
present, this time as the cover artist (a nicer cover that the
previous demo, even though the print is of less quality).
There are four tracks this time too; "Theme from 'Tuntien Kirja'",
"Infinite", "Demolition in progress" and "Den trettonde månaden".
The songs are at times a bit more jazzy then on the previous demo and
As a whole I actually prefer "Previously unreleased". The finale
track with Swedish lyrics is still a good song but Zell's voice gets
more to my heart on songs like "Tender Contempt" from the last demo.
But please, misunderstand me correctly, "We find your lack of faith
disturbing" is just as good as "Previously unreleased". My preference
for one of them if purely a matter of taste regarding internal ranking.
The Swedish BOOK OF HOURS still works with demotapes, and considering
their last, "We find your lack of faith disturbing", I have all faith
in their debute on the Record Heaven label. The music is somewhat in
the direction of ANEKDOTEN, but is more accessible and contains even
some neoprogressive tendencies. Keep an eye on them.
BOOK OF HOURS - We find your lack of faith disturbing
SWEDEN, 1998, PRIVATE, CACMC 002
Book of Hours are:
Mattias Reinholdsson - bass & vocals
Per Broddesson - guitar & keyboards
Mikael Zell - keyboards & guitar
Henrik Johansson - drums & keyboards
Guest musician:
Stefan Zell - vocals
Tracks:
1. Theme from "Tuntien Kirja"
2. Infinite
3. Demolition in progress
4. Den trettonde månaden
The Swedish progressive symphonic metal / hard rock band Book of
Hours were put together in 1996. This is a four-track demo tape,
and it's their second, showing a band on the verge to a
break-through.
Book of Hours influences are as diverse as Blue Öyster Cult, Judas
Priest, Helloween, Dream Theater, Pet Shop Boys, Spin Doctors,
Tori Amos, Meshuggah, Van Der Graaf Generator, Gentle Giant, Björk
and Radiohead. They seem to be big Iron Maiden fans as two of
their favourite albums are Bruce Dickinson's "Skunkworks" and Iron
Maiden's "Piece of mind".
Their music is reminiscent to Anekdoten, and just like Anekdoten
they are frequently using distorted bass. My favourite track are
the final "Den trettonde månaden", which got lyrics in Swedish.
I recommend this CD [no, tape -ed], especially if you're into Anekdoten.
Yes, Progression Magazine subscribers, this is the free disk that came with issue #31. I just got my copy (of both, long story) and was so immediately impressed by what I heard that I wanted to highlight some of the bands on here. My hope is to later review the albums concerned in full at some point.
This is not a paid advertisement, not really even an unpaid advertisement, but for those non-subscribers, this is one of the perks. We've had five perks so far. But, the reason to subscribe, of course, is because Progression is an informative quarterly. All the albums are on the Record Heaven label (or at least distributed by).
That said, let's dive in.
The first track on this promo disk is "White Lines on the Freeway" by Five Fifteen. This begins with acoustic guitar and some mixed male/female harmonies (I thought of Belgium's Now, actually)...there is this slow build and the guitar come up, the drums kick in...subsides...then builds again...and explodes. Add trumpets and other brass instruments (keyboards)...the tension breaks and chaos ensues. Loopy... swoopy... swirly... keyboards, heavy percussion... this is really interesting stuff. There is a great dynamic here, a contrast between the calm, ultracalm vocals and the chaotic music. The album is called Six Dimensions of the Electric Camembert [reviewed]. If there's a quibble...well, it adds to the dynamic, but...I think the mix needed to better balanced, as the vocals do get lost...
While I won't reiterate the details from Progression, here are the particulars on Five Fifteen: Finnish band, consisting of Mika Jorvinen on vocals and guitars, Marika Liuski on vocals and percussion, Pekka Laine on guitars, Pate Kivinen on keyboards, Repe Lumikumpu on bass and Jan-Erik Suni on drums. Six is their fourth release.
Qoph is next with "Ån Lyser Månen (Nadir 1)" sung in Swedish, that has a heavy 70's psych/prog feel to it, and is somewhat quirky to me...well, when you open with vocal wah-wah's mimicing...trumpets being muted and unmuted is what I thought of... Interesting, well played. Full of energy. The album is Kaleidoskopiska Aktiviteter. [reviewed]
The band are: Filip Norman on guitar, Federico de Costa on drums, Patrik Persson bass, Jimmy Wahlsteen guitar and mandolin, and Robin Kvist on vocals.
Valinors Tree is up next with a familiar sound...not a cloned sound, but more in line with progressive rock...guitar led, though there's the usual accompaniment of bass, drums, keys. In the same spectrum as, say, Tristan Park, Grey Lady Down, etc. Not the strongest of vocalists, tolerable, but a bit off key at times. Has a delivery like Hogarth at times without matching him sonically. I find nothing in particular to latch on to...its average. The album and track is Kingdom of Sadness [reviewed]...the pace and tonal qualities match the theme, as there is a tinge (or so) of mournfulness in the vocals. This does better an an instrumental, as it is for much of its 8 minutes.
The band, who were founded in 1995 as Toy Chest, currently consist of: Ola Sivefoldt on guitar and vocals, Mattias Jarlhed on drums, John Mannmyr on keyboards, and Anders Lindgren on bass....oh, and it won't really be surprising that their moniker is yet another influenced by Tolkien, even if you haven't read Tolkien.
Track four is "Anagrams Part 1" by Etcetera...this begins as a very atmopheric, dark, and moody piece - keyboards only. Which then swoops up into the light, joined by drums, guitar and bass. The production is a little muddy, the drums a little tinny...but the music itself is interesting. There are hints, stylistically, of White Willow when the lyrics begin. There are beautiful, chiming guitar notes here, but the harmonized vocals on the chorus are a bit off...there are also moments were the music seems to momentarily veer of course (like a warp on an LP...you remember those, don't you?).
Denmark based Etcetera comprise of Johnnie McCoy on drums; Anders Kjaerulff on bass; Frank Carvalho on guitars, bass, keyboards, and vocals; and Michael Munch-Hansen on piano and vocals...the album is entitled Fin De Siecle. [reviewed]
Book of Hours will appeal to some of the progressive metal persuasion...although the production again is a little lackluster. The guitars are heavy, and fortunately they avoid the oh so typical now jackhammer drums/guitar thing that I've been taking digs at this week. I wish the mix were better, actually. Because this has a more progressive bent than a metal bent...no screaming histronics from the vocalist. In that respect, it's more like heavy 70's rock. Some great guitar noises here...production aside, I like this.
The album's called Art of The Blind, the track "Infinite" and the band members are Henrik Johansson on drums, Mattias Reinholdsson on bass, Stefan Zell on vocals, and Per Broddesson on guitar.
Zello is/are next...begining with a violin and somewhat basic drum beat... there's Celtic feel to it...great sounding keys, clear, crisp... and then we have a vocals/violin harmonizing...the vocals aren't great, but servicable, better than most. Memorable chorus...I like this. The violin has grabbed me. A little Kansas here...I'll be investigating this further. See also our "mirrored from DPRP" review of Zello's debut Zello. According to the Progression article, Zello has eschewed guitars in favor of Hammond and electric violin.
The track here is entitled "I Will Be The Wind" and the album, Quodlibet [reviewed]. The band are: P O Saether on vocals; Lennart Glenberg on violi; Anders Altzarfeldt organ, keyboards, and mellotron; Mats Olsson on piano, keyboards, moog, and mellotron, Dan Lindell on bass and Svetlan Raket on drums and percussion. (...how fitting that the drummer's name is Raket [presuming it's pronounced like racket -ed.]...)
"Fall of Spring" by Galleon follows. Marillioneque musically at the beginning,... towards the beginning, actually, because there's a guitar thing that starts the track that isn't Marillioneque...this is really more characteristic of Arena. There's that heaviness to the instruments here that Arena have...not heavy like prog metal,...by heavy I mean...thick, dark. This does have, however, some progressive metal tendencies, too. Not quite as crunchy as Dream Theater, say...I guess Arena if they took a metal bent. It would be just a bit too mellow for progressive metal fans and a little too heavy for typical neo-progressive fans. Falling into the middle as I do, I think I'll try checking out the rest of the disk, King of Aragon.
Galleon are: Micke Varn (guitars and flute), Goran Fors (vocals, bass, bass pedals, and keyboards), Dan Fors (drums and percussion), and Ulf Pettersson (keyboards).
Think Yes around the 90125 period and the intro to "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" specifically; think Jethro Tull circa "Aqualung"...mix 'em together, heavier on the Tull and you'll have Lucifer Was. Yes, it's the flute thing mostly, but the bite of the guitars, the whole rhythm is so very classic Tullish. There's also an almost Celtic feel like Tempest here, too...though the vocalist doesn't have the voice that Leif Sorbye does. But I like this, and will add it to the growing list. By the way, according to the blurb here...well, there...in the magazine... this was recorded (released?) in the mid 70's...but there's another album in the works called In Anadis Bower.
The name of the sampled track is "Teddy's Sorrow", the album Underground and Beyond and the band were: Thore Engen on guitars and vocals, Einar Bruu on bass, Kai Frilseth on drums, Dag Stenseng on flute and vocals, and Anders Sevaldson handling flute as well, and background vocals.
With its somewhat whimsical beginning, Grovjobb's "Lokomotiv" made me think of late 60's/early 70's rock with mid-70's bass line thrown in. Um...think "Shake Your Groove Thing" here folks for the bass, and then add a spritely flute, dark guitars and almost absent percussion and this is what this mishmash sounds like. Likeable, but not loveable. You'll dig it, man, as it's got that psych groove. I can almost see the image we all have of the 60's - the summer of love, woodstock... its all in there, man. This is where prog started, one branch... interesting stuff... but maybe too nostalgic.
Grovjobb are Jerry Johansson on guitar, Jesper Jarold on bass, Simon Krarup Jensen on flute and Ola W Jensen on drums.
Violins must a big Nordic thing, as this is the second or third track here to employ them (competing with flutes and blokes named Anders). This being Ensemble Nimbus with "Trial of Error." I like this...makes me think of a darker...maybe darker...Minimum Vital...the earlier days. Maybe of other French progressives... if Musea released this, I wouldn't be surprised. I'll be adding this, as this is great! All instrumental... at least this track is...I'm thinking of Gryphon here, too...clarinets feature, too. I thought I heard a bassoon, but maybe that was keyboard generated ... or it's the bass clarinet.
Ensemble Nimbus are: Hakan Almkvist (guitar, bass, keyboards, tapes, loops, effects, and voice), Hasse Bruniusson (drums, percussion, and computers), Kirk Chilton (violin), Stefan Karlsson (keyboards), and Lars Bjork (clarinet, bass clarinet, altered clarinet, and loops). [album reviewed]
Hmm...a little softshoe...(that is hushed, brushed drums), a little banjo, and a little...bassoon? Again? No,...keys this time...This is more experimental music... some found sounds...you know, having fun with your electronics, playing with the output...that kind of thing. All to an overall beat that Laurence Welk might have enjoyed... (um...I had grandparents)... This comes courtesy of Mats & Morgan and their track "Sockeplast" from Trends and Other Diseases
Mats & Morgan are Mats Oberg on keyboards, vocals, and harmonica and Morgan Agren on drums, Jimmy Agren on guitar, mandolin, and vocals, Erik Carlsson on keyboards and accordian), and Tommy Thorsdsson on bass and melodica.
And then with a big sound, swirly keys, driving drums we get a neo-prog sound from Grand Stand...think Styx, think maybe Marillion,...Pendragon...all rolled into one. Early Genesis, maybe...no vocals here....interesting sonics, mainly keyboard led. This is great stuff, really, even if it is familiar. The album's called In The Middle, On The Edge ... no Yes, but I might just hear a little Wakeman in there. The track is called "Condor"
Filling the Grand Stand are Tomas Hurtig on drums, Olav Andersson on keyboards, Michael Rank Jensen playing guitar and providing backing vocals and Clarence Thunborg on bass and vocals, though neither of the latter two are on this track or the album.
Björn Johansson is next...starting off a bit new agey with substance, there's more heft here than a lot of new age music...keys have a full sound...this is rich...lots of sonic elements to get your ears into...washes, arpeggios...think, actually, some of the intrumental parts of both early Genesis, but more specificially early Marillion - the Script year. Tull influences creep in with a bit of flute...Hammond pops in...Floyd like bass...it fades out far too soon. Yup...gotta get the disk.
Just Björn here...but he's played with Par Lindh, according to Progression, and plans to continue doing so. "The Last Minstrel of Marble" is the track from his debut album Discus Ursis.
And finally Cross, who start off with a big sound like Grand Stand...but it quickly becomes heavy...verging on metal...and just when you think you're gonna get Dream Theater like dual guitar crunch, it downshifts to...interesting but not exactly listenable vocals...why is that that almost always kills it for me? Don't know that I could listen to it often. Accent has nothing to do with it, as there seems to be very little. Musically, I like this...vocally, I don't.
Cross are Hansi Cross (guitar and vocals), Lollo Andersson (bass), Robert Iverson (drums), and Olle Siljeholm (keyboards). The track is called "Take Off", the album Visionary Fools. [reviewed]
BOOK OF HOURS - "Art To The Blind" - (Record Heaven)
- Well, like I said, Black Widow and Record Heaven are the
2 labels kicking the most ass these days, and here is
another slice of brilliance from the latter. It comes in the
form of the debut CD from the Swedish band BOOK OF HOURS.
If you imagine that the band name implies an Anekdoten clone,
take a listen and think again. Yes, there is a semblance of the
dark, angular structuring of that band, but don't worry, BOH is
original as hell. Their use of heavy guitars is noteworthy to
begin with, but it's the lead axe that gets to me here.
Beautiful, ranging melodic soloing that's at once piercing yet
strongly emotional is driving this album to the top of my
playlist! You know how I like lead guitar that makes a statement.
The other thing about BOOK OF HOURS that I really love is their
use of melody! Certainly, songs like the lengthy "Fifth
Dimension", "Infertile Ground" and "Den Trettonde Manaden" are
involved and truly progressive. However, they never lose the
elemental root of the matter that makes something a song:
YOU CAN REMEMBER HOW THEY GO!!! I don't know how many progressive
rock/metal/whatever bands I've heard who seem intent on displaying
an ear-aching, eye-popping array of "chops" and yet, by the time
you're done with it, you can't remember anything you've heard.
Great melodies are a wondrous characteristic that BOH have, as
I could not get the melody of "Fifth Dimension" out of my mind
all day after the first time I heard it. If you haven't guessed
it, I'm impressed as hell by BOOK OF HOURS. This would be an
amazing enough release by any band, but for a debut it is
absolutely striking! Surely "Art To The Blind" will stand as
another top entry for 1999, and I'm already waiting with
baited breath for their next one!
BOOK OF HOURS - Art to the blind
Record Heaven RH 16 (HOK)
Bring together a "dalmas"* and a "smålänning"* and the result is striking. At least in the case of
BOOK OF HOURS, formed in 1996 by drummer Henrik Johansson and basist Mattias
Reinholdsson.
The fact that the debut album "Art to the blind" actually is two freshened up demos is
hard to believe. The complex hard-rock quintet deals with a kind of music that usually takes
years to refine, but the band has already come a long way. And BOOK OF HOURS are really
progressive, in opposite to many acts who think it’s enough to throw in some keyboards and
neoclassical guitarlicks.
An introvert FATES WARNING or a reborn version of DAMN THE MACHINE (with
former MEGADETH-guitarist Chris Poland) are comparisons that pop up in my head. I would
be surprised if there wasn’t an Alan Holdsworth-album in the members recordshelves. Melodic
without being glossy with a pondering, and at times, jazzy vibe to the music. The fact that
vocalist Stefan Zell, who left the band after the recordings, doesn’t deliver kliché metal falsetto
yelling and that the melancholy leans on prog à la LANDBERK and ANEKDOTEN rather than
metal, dosen’t make this less interesting.
This is nothing for the one who’s looking for hits. But even if this introvert
listeners-music doesn’t rise and fall with a catchy chorus I wish for more structure on the next
album. Why not in the vein of the slightly DREAM THEATEResque "Infertile Ground" or the
finishing "Den Trettonde Månaden"?
If BOOK OF HOURS then finds a voice, a bit more powerful, then this can be highly
interesting.
Reviewer: Gustaf Höök.
* Nickname for people from the area from which Henrik and Mattias are from. Henrik is from Dalarna and therefore a "Dalmas" and Mattias is from Småland, hence "Smålänning".
SWEDEN, May 1999, RECORD HEAVEN, RHCD 16, Running time: 52:14
Book of Hours are:
Mattias Reinholdsson - bass & vocals
Per Broddesson - guitar & keyboards
Henrik Johansson - drums & keyboards
Mikael Zell - keyboards & guitar
The Swedish progressive symphonic metal / hard rock band Book of
Hours was formed in 1996. With two demo tapes behind them, Record
Heaven contacted them in 1999 to release Book of Hours debut CD.
Anekdoten influences the band, and you can hear a lot of it in
their music. There's also reminiscences to Dream Theater and
Landberk. The distorted bass and the heavy guitars together with
the strong melodies forms a high-class progressive rock. My
favourite tracks are "Fifth dimension", "Infertile Ground",
"Tender contempt" and the final track "Den trettonde månaden",
which got lyrics in Swedish.
The band did the nice cover by themselves.
This is one of the best releases so far in 1999. Strongly
recommended!
BOOK OF HOURS - Art to the blind
(Record Heaven 1999)
Book of Hours have moved one step upwards, from cassette to CD and
the verdict is the same. In previous issue of ArtRock I reviewed two
demotapes by Book of Hours. I liked what I heard on the tapes and
it's more or less the same material on the demos as on the CD. There
are three tracks of my favourite demo Previously unreleased
(amongst them my favourite "Tender Contempt"), two from We find
your lack of faith disturbing and three new: "Ångloksångest"
(instrumental), "Fifth dimension" and "Fading from grey".
The new material is good and it's really nice to have the band on CD.
No major surprises, but a strong addition to the Record Heaven label.
Unfortunately, Stefan Zell is no longer the singer in the band, even
though he's still on the record. We'll see how a change of vocalist
will affect the bands future. However, Mr Zell will be on stage with
the band when they visit Gothenburg in October.
[The CD was mistakingly listed as "Book of Hours", instead of the
proper title]
BOOK OF HOURS - Book of Hours
(CD, 52:14); Record Heaven RHCD 16 Import
From it's sludgy-smooth opening to the nearly subliminal
I-thought-it-was-over fillip at disc's end, Book of Hours puts itself
boldly on the map with this excellent debut. The Swedish quartet
(occasionally augmented by Ulf Nygards on keyboards) has a subtly
off-kilter sensibility that is immediately absorbing.
The songs (sung in English, save one) should appeal to a wide variety
of prog fans. The band sounds like they've digested the past 30 years
of the music's tradition, eliminated the waste material, and grown
into a commandingly mature unit as a result. A hallmark of the disc
is their skill at creating just the right mood. Take "Tender
contempt" for example, which drags worrisomely for a while, but
coalesces into a perfectly-judged arrangement through the varied use
of instrumental colors and dynamics. They also employ sound effects
in a way that deepens and enhances their material, such as the static
on "Fifth Dimension", or the chattering voices on "Infinite".
Occasional harmony vocals are also strongly executed.
Per Broddesson is a sonic sensation on guitar, more attentive to
color and texture than to speed and shred. His mates - Stefan Zell on
vocals, Mattias Reinholdsson on bas, and Henrik Johansson on drums -
are right up there with him, crafting, not just songs, but
performances, that hold their own. This melodically inventive album
plays like an album, not just a set of songs, making for a rewarding
listening experience. Recommended.
[The CD was mistakingly listed as "Book of Hours" here too]
BOOK OF HOURS - Book of Hours
(52:16, Record Heaven, 1999)
Announced by the record-company as great debut in the style of
Anekdotens "Vemod", the fellow countrymen Book of Hours sound
substantially more rough and less thrilling than the given
comparison. Book of Hours (coincidence or not) named themselves
after a title of an Anekdoten-track and surely there are paralells
to be drawn but their tendencies haven't got that brute force and
aren't that twisted.
Still, the debut of this Swedish band is in no way food for fast
consuming. One has to work his way through it. Not until the fourth
or fifth time of listening the subliminal brilliance grabbs you and
then it's quite difficult to let it go.
The instrumental opener "Ångloksångest" breathes the spirit of King
Crimsons "Larks Tounges in Aspic" and the
following "Fifth Dimension" succesfully combines psychedelic hard
rock with progressive rock. Friends of old keyboards will be pleased
because sometimes you can hear that old and familiar mellotron
sqawking. Otherwise there are smoky sounding guitars, which in fact
is cool, making their way with determined intensity or these furious
bassriffs which put new life to the very early phases of King Crimson.
When listening to "Infertile Ground" (resembling very strongly to
the music of Landberk, same as the rougher sounding
"Tender Contempt") one can notice from which hemisphere the boys
come. With its full force, the melancholy from the
north lash out, sacred mellotron chords provides for warmth and
dynamics. The longer you listen to this record the more
you can hear how tight and with what perfection the swedish guys
play. In case of "Fading from grey" they even tread the path of
Black Sabbath. Gnawing atmosphere and effective intensity,
progressive rock and hard rock in the right mix.
It's always amazing what brilliant and multilayered bands that come
from Sweden to blow into our widths. Book of Hours is missing the
unmistakable personal touch a bit but they are on the right track to
be established in the front row. A (nearly) perfect debut.
BOOK OF HOURS - Art to the blind
(Record Heaven 1999)
I have to admit that when the CD "Art to the blind" came into my
hands from Record Heaven I almost fell over! Book of Hours consists
of Henrik Johansson, Mattias Reinholdsson, Per Broddesson and Mikael
Zell. It was an eternity since I last heard a band play this
kind of music. For a change they are Swedes and good comparisons are
Anekdoten, Änglagård and Flower Kings, to mention a few.
"Ångloksångest" is a heavy song which gives me goose-bumps.
"Fifth dimension", "Infertile ground and "Fading from grey" displays
tempo-changes and keyboards and are in the King Crimson-vein,
especially the guitars. "infinite", which is on the Nordic progressive
sampler is their strongest performance with incredible guitarplaying.
The build-up of atmospheric frenzy bears a certain resemblance with
Anekdoten's Vemod. The difference is that Book of Hours is a bit more
accessible but that does not make them less good.
This is a fantastic production with eight tracks, one of them,
"Den trettonde månaden", a song which shows incredible playing and
heavy King Crimson influences from the "Red" era. If you're looking
for quality and joy at the same time, Book of Hours is a band not
to be missed. Absolutely recommended.
BOOK OF HOURS - Art to the blind
(Record Heaven 1999)
Statistics: 8 track, of which one is instrumental (Ångloksångest)
and one in Swedish (Den 13:e månaden).
Musically it takes on the same direction of their countrymen.
Sometimes calm, almost fragile, passages follow instrumental
infernos and aggressive vocals. Stefan Zell's vocals really fits
the music and is reminiscent of Jan Erik Liljeström (Anekdoten).
Also the structure of the compositions bear many resemblances to
their (well, I assume this) forerunners. By this, one can accuse
"Book Of Hours" of stealing from Anekdoten, but then, one can also
accuse Anekdoten from stealing from King Crimson, but what's the
point?
When it comes to the occasional dissonant harmonies, I let them pass
unnoticed. Anekdoten-fans can buy this unheard, others may need to have a
listen before purchase.
BOOK OF HOURS - Art to the blind
(Record Heaven 1999)
Book Of Hours is a new Swedish formation that will join the group
of big Scandinavian bands of the nineties and beginning of XXI
century. Art to the blind is their first work and shows clearly the
wide musical background of the musicians of the formation,
presenting multiple influences mainly of progressive rock (King
Crimson cirka Red, Anekdoten, Landberk, Änglagard,
Genesis), but also of classic metal (Iron Maiden, Saxon) and of
quality rock (Misfits, Posies, Radiohead). The music they
propose is excellently played and produced, as it is usual in the
Swedish bands, and listening the album you can enjoy a multitude
of atmospheres and sound landscapes. In this sense, the band
follows the classic patterns of the Scandinavian progressive rock,
presenting a great melodical power, excellent instrumental
treatments and the employment of the dissonant harmonics in the
composition.
Book Of Hours' line-up is: Mattias Reinholdson (bass, chorus),
Per Brodesson (guitar), Henrik Johansson (drums, keyboards,
guitar, recorder and effects) and Mikael Zell (guitar). The latter
has left the formation recently and the three remaining members
are searching for a new musician for the band. Hopefully they will
find him and they can make their way.
The album presents enough variety of tracks and its listening is
worth it. The first song "Angloksangest" (4:27) is instrumental
and superb, with a lot of dynamism and energy, and based on
mellotrons and saturated guitars, even melodic guitars. The most
direct references are King Crimson cirka Red and, mainly, the
track "Karelia" by Anekdoten, although this song is more
energetic and concrete. "Fifth dimension" (7:57) is a more
modern track, with an evident influence of current post-rock
(Radiohead) and some more simplistic but effectives treatments
of the melody and instruments. With "Infinite" (5:27) we return to
the progressive landscapes, now with more power (good work of
the guitar) and an interesting presence of diverse textures
elaborated by the rhythmic section. "Endearment" (6:27) is a mid
tempo track very well written with a great performance of the
flute and a longn and very symphonic end full of mellotrons. The
lead voice is excellent, as well as the keyboards, and all contribute
to a song that is one of the jewels of the album and that, to give
you a clue, presents influences of the wonderful album 'One man
tell's another' by Landberk. A track to enjoy.
Do you want more impressive tracks? Anything better than the
following one, "Infertile ground" (7:46), another of the peaks of
the album. The introduction is almost recited, with some very good
keyboards, and after a change all the power of Book Of Hours
enters, with saturated guitars and a very dynamic organ that
burns. The end is a very good progressive development in
crescendo. Next, "Tender contempt" (5:41) is presented rawer
and more paranoiac, with a strong hard rock presence in the
guitars and developments. A good track. The seventh cut,
"Fading from grey" (4:47), is musically related to the fourth one,
and it is another mid tempo with a good work in the piano that we
also can relate with the decadent and sad Landberk's 'Indian
Summer'. Finally, "Den trettonde manaden" (8:45) is presented
with all its crimsonian progressive splendor, with excellent
developments of the guitars and mellotrons and a superb end.
To recab, I would tell you that Art to the blind is a great album of
a Swedish band that will give a lot to speak. It is a good work in
which their influences can be detected easily, a thing that time will
solve, but it is excellently composed and played and it is absolutely
recommended for the prog heads of crimsonian spirit that enjoy
bands like Änglagard, Valinor's Tree, Anekdoten, Landberk,
White Willow and Sinkadus. The connections among them are
evident and I am very happy about that. An album that I
recommend you by a formation that presents a promising future.
Come closer, I want to tell you about one of prog's greatest secrets, a band
that sound so dammed perfect they must have been made in Heaven...well in Sweden
actually! Ok, anyone who knows me, will know of my love for Swedish bands but
Book of Hours have gone straight to the top!
Listening to the bands two tapes & debut cd, it's hard to fault the material,
although I hope they get the line-up stable, it must be a struggle to keep the
band going through fragile times & on to greater things. Take fellow countrymen
Twin Age, two stunning cd's & a real show stopper headlining ProgFarm'98 & then
nothing.
[Band history omitted]
Onto the debut cd.....sharing the title of an Anekdoten track, they have a
similar feel (but no Anna!) in their power, gloom & moodiness, but there's more,
much more & dare I say that they will become one of prog's greatest assets.
Part of the advantage is the use of fine musicianship, song writing & melody.
What becomes apparent, is their sound could capture any rock audience.
The cd kicks off .....quite literally with a whistle! Angloksangest...dunno what
it means but it conjures up wonderful images of Sweden, indeed the back cover
shows the band walking off into a snowy landscape (can't see the pub but it must
be behind the trees!!). It's a stunning instrumental workout, showcasing their
playing instantly. It has an Anekdoten feel to the mood & far too short at 4:27
minutes!! Listen to this & you know what a classic cd this will become...leaves
you wanting more that's for sure
Fifth Dimension gives us the first chance to hear the departed Stefan, shame he
was vital to the sound with his moody grungy voice. This has Alice in
Chains/Sabbath vibes brooding throughout the song. Very threatening! Errie
mellotron samples at the end as well
Infinite..a killer, natural born single & great harmonies on the chorus...I
could sing this all day! Even time for a bit on Maiden in the middle! This is my
ultimate rock song!
Endearment treads the delicate sounding Landberk path. The use of recorder
simply send shivers down your spine & the organ sounds is pure 70's. Midway the
band crash in & the song soars to a higher level & pure heaven
Infertile Ground interrupts with such ferocious organ playing, that I'm
surprised Ulf didn't knock it over, in fact I bet the fire brigade had to put
out the smokin' organ......go on I bet you can't find a better track than this!
This is pure heavy heaven!
Tender Contempt...remember hearing the opening Black Sabbath track on their
debut, well here's a tingling equivalent for the 21st century. Mix with a touch
of Landberk melancholy & simmer
Fading From Grey, seamlessly joins, by now our melancholy is brewing fine..I
want this played at my funeral along with Anekdoten's Here
Finally Den Trettonde Manaden, sung in Swedish & the longest track. would be
"the epic" if all the others weren't too! If the beauty of Sinkadus & Twin Age
at Progfarm can move me to tears, then the emotion of this would too! Come on
name a band that has the same effect on you! Simply climatic
Sorry but every track is really worth ten out of ten! Guitar, drums, keyboards,
bass & vocals, nothing can be faulted with their inventive use
BOOK OF HOURS - "Art To The Blind" / excerpt from a Record Heaven label profile
A new band, Sweden's Book of Hours are a strange mix of King Crimson and prog
metal, as if your car radio were alternately picking up two different stations
playing each of these styles as you traveled amidst rolling hills. On their debut
'Art to the Blind' (RHCD016), drummer Henrik Johansson wrote almost all of the
music and the lyrics, which is probably why his drums sound too high in the mix
(and awfully 'thumpy') to my ears. What Mr. Johansson should realize is that his
guitarist Per Broddesson is truly the star of this band. His solos are often fast
and dexterous, but always melodious and interesting. And in the metallized parts,
Broddesson is also responsible for crunching riffs. Vocalist Stefan Zell has one
of those powerful, resonant voices that makes me believe he could have been an
opera singer if so inclined. Through much of the album, I felt slightly
confounded as it seemed to me they were trying to be too many bands at once.
That probably just means I need a few more listens to settle into what they're
all about. The final track "Den trettonde mänaden" (the lone track sung in Swedish),
was one that I latched onto right away...simpler, moody, slightly minor....
gee, almost like Landberk!
These four Swedes fall more into the Progressive category than
the Progressive Metal category, but they sure do have some
original ideas and they can be heavy. Never overwhelming you
with chops, the guitars are allowed to speak rather than scream
and the rhythm section proves how good it is by bubbling
underneath without making too much fuss. The opening
instrumental "Angloksangest" is the perfect prelude for the
rest of the album as it winds down into the static of "Fifth
Dimension". Big round bass takes control of the jangly guitars
and the vocals float seamlessly over it all. Halfway into the
song the guitar explodes to life and lets you know that it
won’t be forgotten. The guitar solo on "Infinite" is again a
study in good taste, saying a lot without saying too much;
giving way to an almost industrial rumbling bass before building
to a lyrical apex. Ulf Nygard’s keyboards play a prominent
role in "Endearment" which also features a rare commodity in
a cool distorted bass solo. It sounds like Book of Hours have
spent a lot of time writing these songs and put a lot of
rehearsal into getting them just right. The chord choices are
brave and the results are better than average. Add in a bit
more aggression and this band could be something really special.
This is a Swedish bands born some years ago which comes into the list of contemporary great bands from that country. Their sound is directly influenced by Landberk and Anekdoten, and believe me, this album is as good as the best ones from those bands. Other influences might be from American indie bands, like Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr or Come, with a noisy and distorted guitar sound - influences I also find in Landberks music. They also remind me of Alice in Chains in some dark and depressive passages.
Line-up:
Mattias Reinholdsson, bass, noise, vocals
Per Broddesson, guitar
Henrik Johansson, drums, guitar, keyboards, noise, recorder, vocals
Mikael Zell, guitar
It must be taken into account that this was the line-up when the album was released, but Stefan Zell was also involved in the recording (much more than his brother Mikael) and the keyboardist Ulf Nygards did also play in the album.
Stefan Zell is a singer with an effective - but not powerful - and personal voice. It's a pity that he had left the band to join Wolverine.
How does Book of Hours sound? There are rock songs with distorted guitars, melodic Anekdoten-type interludes, mellotron intros, surprising electronic keyboards and not-so-complex progressive structures.
Which songs stand out? The whole record is really good, but there are some impressive songs, like the instrumental Angloksangest, the more complex Fifth Dimension, the dark and beautiful Tender Contempt, and above all, the spectacular final one, Den Trettonde Manaden, dark and depressive, with dramatic and distorted guitars which are contrasted with beautiful mellotron passages; an impressive song with a tremendous ending. Without a doubt, this is an album that puts this band among the best of the 90s Swedish musical scene.
Following the release of the album, the band released a single with two covers, Scorched Earth from Van der Graaf Generator and One More Red Nightmare from King Crimson, two of the classic bands that surely are an influence for Book of Hours.
Unfortunately, the changes in the line-up continued after the release of the album. Mikael Zell joined his brother in Wolverine, as did Per Brodesson later on. That's not too serious as the creative minds in the group are Reinholdsson and, overall Johansson, the two remaining members. With the incorporation of guitarist Adam Skogvard and vocalist Anni Thulin they have completed a new line-up and are about to record new material.
It's quite notorious that three members of the band have joined Wolverine. This might have happened due to the popularity of progressive metal, but I seriously doubt that Wolverine have one tenth of the quality that Book of Hours has.
