Karmakanic: Live In The US

It is safe to say that if you like Swedish juggernauts The Flower Kings you will like Karmakanic. After all the band share various members with Karmakanic which started as an outlet for bass player Jonas Reingold's muse. The band released their debut Entering The Spectra in 2002.

Live In The US is the first proper live album by the band although they did release The Power Of Two in 2010, taken from their tour with fellow compatriots The Agents Of Mercy. Live In The US is all Karmakanic taken from their 2012 performance at RosFest, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

On the roster that night were Jonas Reingold (bass, Taurus bass, vocals), Göran Edman (vocals), Lalle Larsson (keyboards, vocals), Nils Erikson (keyboards, vocals), Krister Jonsson (guitars, yelling) and Morgan Ågren (drums).

If you are a fan of the band you have probably heard all these songs before. The band's performance is spectacular and the audio quality is very good. Taken from the In A perfect World album, the concert begins with "When The World Is Caving In". Moody and quiet passages leads way to bursting symphonic prog with ripping guitar and organ before settling into a gentle outro. "Where Earth Meets The Sky" is filled with haunting piano, emotive lead vocals and jazzier bits of instrumental bliss. "Turn It Up" is a catchy slice of pop prog that has the audience in good spirits. The one track that seems a little out of place is the somewhat pretentious "Do U Tango". Don't get me wrong, it is immaculately performed but I found this one lacking in melody and the chaotic avant-garde prog clashes with the rest of the tunes. That said, the instrumental fireworks are jaw dropping to say the least. The band rights the ship with the feel good prog of "1969" with more than a nod to early '70s yes and the gentle serenity of "Eternally", culled from Who's The Boss In The Factory featuring plaintive piano and soaring guitar building to a final climax.

The second disc contains two tracks, the epic "Send A Message From The Heart" and "Undertow/When The World Is Caving In Reprise". The former having a yes-like rhythmic build, moments of quiet splendor, fantastic synth and piano solos, cutting Floyd-like lead guitar and solid vocals from Edman. The band's take on the Genesis penned "Undertow" is pure class before connecting all the loose ends with a reprise of "When The World Is Caving In".

Consummate musicianship, first class tunes and very good sound quality makes Live In The US a highly recommended live album that all fans of Karmakanic will want to have in their collection. Released on Reingold Records.

Track Listing:
Disc 1
1. When The World Is Caving In (8:42)
2. Where The Earth Meets The Sky (14:25)
3. Turn It Up (7:08)
4. Do U Tango (14:38)
5. 1969 (14:38)
6. Eternally (9:31)
Disc 2
1. Send A Message From The Heart (21:51)
2. Undertow/When The World Is Caving In Reprise (9:40)

Added: November 21st 2016
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Label's Official Site
Hits: 2070
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]