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Pictorial Wand: Face of Our Fathers

Progressive Rock

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Independent/Self-promotion
www.myspace.com/picwand
www.pictorialwand.com
Review: Craig Hartranft,  05.09.2010

Accomplished composer and versatile musician Mattis Sorum is back with a second installment of his Pictorial Wand rock opera project, Face of Our Fathers. A genuinely enthralling and ambitious work, Sorum once more shows the depth of skills. While the idea of Face of Our Fathers is a bit cryptic, and since I received neither a booklet nor lyric sheet, it remains so after listening. Here's a synopsis of the concept from Sorum's web site:

The main theme of this album is how the former generations leave behind an inheritance for the next, and how they in turn try to deal with it. We will see a pulling between pride, reason, love and hope in the struggle for their own needs and believes and the fulfilling of what is expected of them from the former generations. The circle ends with father and son facing each other on the battlefield ...

While the theme may be a slight mystery, the music, however, is not. Sorum is the principal player offering masterful performances on guitar, bass, keyboards, et al. He rounds out his compositions with four individual voices for the characters of hope, love, reason, and pride, with contribution of violins, cellos, and flutes. These elements add to depth and authenticity of Face of Our Fathers as developed 'rock opera,' even within its studio context. The song compositions traverse many genres and moods throughout. This essentially requires a listening experience of ear and mind, a rare feat for some progressive music. While all pieces are enjoyable, I found Struggle of Autumn Leaves, Prince of War, and Circle's End most noteworthy.

A rare piece of ingenuity and creativity, Mattis Sorum's Pictorial Wand project, Face of Our Fathers, delivers masterful progressive rock, both intriguing and highly entertaining. Very recommended!

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

A rare piece of ingenuity and creativity, Mattis Sorum's Pictorial Wand project, Face of Our Fathers, delivers masterful progressive rock, both intriguing and highly entertaining.

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Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]