Andrew Laitres, formerly of the progressive rock band Magus, is back with a new album under The Winter Tree moniker. Twilight of the Magicians is his third album. I am a big fan of the first two so was excited to give this one a listen. The new release is perhaps a tad mellower than the previous offerings and even more electronic in nature. While The Winter Tree has always been a vehicle for Laitres to handle most of the instrumentation, the new album is even more of a one man band. His three guest musicians do offer a bit of help on piano, vocal and guitar. Five of the tracks feature only Laitres.
His biggest influence here seems to be Tangerine Dream although Vangelis and Alan Parsons Project also spring to mind. Gentle instrumentation starts "The Lemurians", the album's first track, and spreads out from an initial crashing rhythm. Very lush keyboard/synth sounds abound with subdued symphonic touches here and there. "Dolphin" is a textural ambient piece with a synthesized soundscape of shimmering synths and computerized beats. "Angels and Demons" is a little heavier with an Alan Parson's feel while "The Last Morning" is ethereal and dreamy bringing to mind Jean Michel Jarre or Tangerine Dream. The only vocal track is "A New Atlantis" with Baiba Kranate doing a nice job reminding me a little of Klaatu's lead vocalist. The album ends with the ambient like "Lightworker" with its textural synths washing over the song like slow forming waves. It is a relaxing ending to a very good album.
Twilight of the Magicians continues in the symphonic tradition of its predecessors. While I would have enjoyed a couple more up-tempo tracks for a little more balance, the album as a whole is quite absorbing and should fit well next to your Vangelis or Tangerine Dream collection.
Track Listing:
1. The Lemurians (2:32)
2. Dolphin (3:14)
3. Twilight of the Magicians (6:05)
4. Angels and Demons (5:04)
5. Cosmic Sea (7:34)
6. The Last Morning (2:38)
7. Sinking Island! (6:00)
8. A New Atlantis (3:25)
9. Lightworker (5:34)
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Andrew Laitres, formerly of the progressive rock band Magus, is back with a new album under The Winter Tree moniker. Twilight of the Magicians is his third album. I am a big fan of the first two so was excited to give this one a listen. The new release is perhaps a tad mellower than the previous offerings and even more electronic in nature. While The Winter Tree has always been a vehicle for Laitres to handle most of the instrumentation, the new album is even more of a one man band. His three guest musicians do offer a bit of help on piano, vocal and guitar. Five of the tracks feature only Laitres.
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