Having not exactly been a raving fan about Thomas Thielen’s 2015 album, I wasn’t looking forward to listening to his latest work, but whereas last time I was on the wrong side of being impressed, this time nothing could be further from the truth. There is something about the soundscapes, the music, the songs that this time hit the nail every single time. I found myself thinking of King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, Geoff Mann, Muse, Marillion, Radiohead and a whole host of others, and listening to this intently as I wanted to know where the journey was going to take me, as from one second to the next I just couldn’t be sure what was coming.
It is an incredible piece of work, draining in its sheer intensity and inventiveness, and it is almost impossible to realise that this is the work of just one man. Whereas the last album suffered from an outside point of reference to provide control and restraint, this album is only possible with just one person has the musical vision and the skill and tenacity to see it through to the end. This is modern progressive music that has no thoughts as to whether it is commercial, and is all the better for it. In many ways it is challenging, as there are so many diversions from the main musical path, yet for all the chaos and confusion there are also large elements of musical clarity where it soars and shines, all the more so for the contrast.
It is a stunning album, nothing more or less.
