This debut album was originally released in 2023, but the Dutch outfit have just signed with OOB Records for their second album, which will be out later this year, so this one has now been reissued. Comprising Raymond Vermij (vocals), Paul Peperkamp (bass, bass pedals, backing vocals), Paul Krempel (guitars, backing vocals), Oscar Alblas (drums, percussion) and Ron Mozer (keyboards) this is a Neo Prog who have been heavily influenced by the likes of Credo, and given I used to arrange gigs for that band I found this a fascinating release.
It certainly never sounds as if it was released towards the end of the first quarter of the 21st century as it definitely belongs to the last decade of the 20th, but even though I was a teenager in the Seventies I have a very strong attachment to the music of that decade so it is fascinating to hear a “new” band produce that sound so well. Aside from Credo one could argue there are some influences from Pallas, Comedy of Errors, Marillion and possibly IQ in what is a thematic release as opposed to a concept. It is dedicated to all the refugees in the world as it discusses what it is like to be an immigrant or refugee, seeking shelter away from their own home where they believe they can no longer remain. There are a few places where we get clips of speeches and news reports, and while I fully understand why they would include something from Trump I must confess just hearing his voice creates an adverse reaction in me as everything he says and does is so abhorrent. His words are being played here to demonstrate what evil there is in the world, but it still came as a shock.
The overall result is an album which will be enjoyed by those who still favour Neo, but there will be those of a certain political persuasion which may not want to hear this, but all power to Sound of Strangers for standing up to something they obviously believe in, and rightly so. Now they have signed with OOB I certainly look forward with interest to see what they come up with on their second album.
