Since the release of their excellent debut album, ‘Mantelpeace’, there have been a few changes in the Realisea camp, so while Brian de Graeve (vocals, 12-string acoustic guitar), Marjolein de Graeve (vocals) and Christophe Rapenne (keyboards) are still involved, all the other core members have left. This has provided an opportunity for Jos Uffing, former drummer and vocalist of Silhouette where he of course played with Brian, to renew his relationship while there is a new bassist in Jos Uffing and guitarist in Rindert Bul. There are again a large number of guests, and one can see previous bassist Geoffrey de Graeve has a presence, while any album which involves Ton Scherpenzeel is always going to be high class.
I find it hard to believe that the only review of theirs currently listed on the bible which is PA is mine, and no-one has yet to write about this one, as yet again we have a dynamic and driving prog album which is a delight from beginning to end. Again they have been influenced by the likes of Renaissance, but the use of keyboards and rock guitars throw them at times deeply into Neo territory yet there is also often a lightness and pop mentality which makes them feel much more in Crossover, yet always with dynamics and drive which make this such an exciting album to listen to. Brian has a huge reputation in the scene due to everything he has achieved with Silhouette, yet I find it really hard to understand why Realisea do not seem to have had the same major impact as this album is simply delicious throughout. We drop into folk at times, with “Just Pretending” simply beautiful with Marjolein taking the opportunity to show her vocal talents, and for the band to demonstrate they fully understand the use of dynamics and space to create something quite different.
It is a highly polished album, packed full of class where the listener gets more from it every time they play it. Yes, there are plenty of Neo stylings here and there, which do seem to upset some prog purists, but for anyone who was involved in the underground scene as I was in the Nineties will find a great deal here to enjoy as this is a delight from beginning to end and is one I highly recommend to anyone who likes the genre.
