Brighteye Brison: The Magician Chronicles – Part I

Swedish band, Brighteye Brison's roots date back to 2000. The band includes founding member, keyboardist, saxophonist, percussion and vocalist Linus Kåse and bassist, vocalist and fellow Stockholm Royal College of Music alum Kristofer Eng. Erik Hammarstrom provides drums. Guitarist Johan Öijen helped to complete the original band line-up. Following the release of their debut album, sound engineer, keyboardist and vocalist Per Hallman joined the band to add Hammond B3 and mellotron to the soundscape. Fioge Norling provides narration, and Daniel Kase adds marimba and tubular bells. In addition, the band's sound also includes the use of trumpet, mandolin, theremin, and xylophone to provide a rich and captivating soundscape which showcases their virtuoso talent.

Brighteye Brison actually has a sound which originates more from a Flower Kings background, than any direct interpretation of Yes. Many fans of the TFK's have been yearning for a reunion and this album may provide some relief until that event culminates…if ever.

I've added this band to my 'watch list'. Excellent music played by talented musicians with a sound that is full of orchestration and diverse instrumentation.

1. The Rise of Brighteye Brison opens this spectacular symphonic, space, epic with full on keyboards that take me right back to a melody similar to the opening of Jethro Tull's "Black Sunday" on the "A" album. Then some cool mellotron accents coupled with drums adding to the advertised similarities to Yes' and other prog classics. A great foundation for a splendid twenty three minute epic. Harmony vocals are added to provide even more reminders of the Yes sound without sounding anything like a cover band. The vocals and keyboards are definitely the "bread and butter" for this band's sound and if you like both, this band will not disappoint. The guitar and bass work which enters later provides nuance and adds to the melody, but it's the keys that truly dazzle throughout. The drums are solid and the story and melody move along on a well-planned arc of consciousness. This twenty three minute journey of the mind is full of good lyrics and wonderful harmonies and music.

The drum solo section provides a great showcase for Hammarstrom's talents. The sax solos teamed with mellotron add to the ambiance within this lush epic. The Conclusion section of the song brings back memories of the early "Phil Collins Era" of the band Genesis.

Off to a fantastic start.

2. The Magician's Cave opens with jazzy piano and drums accented with keyboard highlights, followed well with guitar, before lead vocals from the "Brave Knight", "Have you heard the tale of wonder? There's magic in the hills, that's why I'm going". The track then proceeds off on a "Middle Earth" – like journey, with narration, surrounded by piano that sounds inspired by some of the work on Genesis' famous "Lamb" album. The narration and musical theater which ensues is a great tip of the hat to the legendary writers of the past.

The guitar solo which follows with bass support is one of the best guitar sections on the album. The addition of the percussion and sax provides mystery as this second, over twelve minute epic story weaves its tale.

The choral singing and chanting surrounded by keys, mellotron, guitar and drums adds to the haunting sound that fills this track.

3. Mind Fire Menace opens with keyboards, drums, bass and lead guitar before the singing begins. This is the shortest of the tracks but it is full of excellent keyboards, guitar, surrounding orchestration and drums.

Track Listing:

1.The Rise of Brighteye Brison
2. The Magician's Cave
3. Mind Fire Menace

Added: January 14th 2012
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: Brighteye Brison.com
Hits: 2578
Language: english

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