• New Music Reviews
• |
• Archives
• |
• News
• |
• Submissions
• |
• About
• |
• 
• |
• 

October 2024

• Frost*: Life In The Wires
• Aries Descendant: From The Ashes Of Deceit
• Fans Of The Dark: Video
• Radioactive (Tommy Denander): Reset
• House Of Lords: Full Tilt Overdrive
• Cleanbreak: We Are The Fire

September 2024

• Sinner's Blood: Dark Horizons
• Serious Black: Rise Of Akhenaton
• Eclipse: Megalomanium II
• SteelCity: Reverence
• Hydra: ReHydrated
• Heartwind: III
• Gabrielle De Val and the Dragonlords: Tiger
• Find Me: Nightbound
• The Nail: The Nail
• Timeless Fairytale: A Story To Tell
• Stryper: When We Were Kings
• Phil Mogg: Moggs Motel
• Pure Reason Revolution: Coming Up To Consciousness
• Jordan Rudess: Permission To Fly

August 2024

• Siege Perilous: Creation's Call EP
• Paralydium: Universe Calls
• Mike Tramp: Songs Of White Lion Vol. II
• Bite The Bullet: Looking For Paradise
• All For Metal: Gods Of Metal (Year Of The Dragon)
• Hammerfall: Avenge The Fallen
• Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol. 2

July 2024

• Ironflame: Kingdom Torn Asunder
• Spektra: Hypnotized
• (Michael) Palace: Reckless Heart
• Mr. Big: Ten
• Dark Mile: Dark Mile

June 2024

• Kaipa: Sommargryningsljus
• Sunbomb: Light Up The Sky
• Seven Spires: A Fortress Called Home
• Atlantic: Another World
• Xeneris: Eternal Rising
• New Horizon: Conquerors
• Issa: Another World

May 2024

• Rhapsody Of Fire: Challenge The Wind
• Cloven Hoof: Heathen Cross
• Perseus: Into The Silence
• Yes: Talk (1994/2024) Reissue
• Marty Friedman: Drama
• Demon: Invincible
• The Treatment: Wake Up The Neighbourhood
• The Tangent: To Follow Polaris
• Riot V: Mean Streets
• Anette Olzon: Rapture
• FM: Old Habits Die Hard

[ More Music Reviews ]

Gazpacho: March of Ghosts

Melodic/Progressive Rock

4.0/5.0

Website Facebook Twitter YouTube
Kscope Records
by Craig Hartranft,  04.02.2012

Here's the good news: Gazpacho's March of Ghosts is not as bleak or despondent as last year's Missa Atropos. You might say there's even some liveliness to the music. But I could be deceived, a victim of Gazpacho's strangely eerie and entertaining talent.

Gazpacho: live, bleak, and bled of color.

Unlike the previous album, this is not conceptual venture. Rather it's catalog of short stories. Gazpacho clarifies, 'the lead character spend a night where all these ghosts (dead and alive) would march past him to tell their stories.' Ghost alive? Is that like, zombies? Nevertheless, this could be equally depressing music akin to previous material.

But somehow March of Ghosts, as said earlier, is curiously and suspiciously lively and positive. Perhaps I just 'get' the hopelessness inherent in Gazpacho's music. After all they come from Norway, not exactly the best environment for a sunny and shiny disposition. Considering Jan-Henrik Ohme's vocals, always and equally passionate and anguished, you would suspect different. Enjoy Black Lily to find Ohme at his best. The music has an intriguing vibe: somewhere intersecting Floyd, Marillion, Genesis, and Gazpacho themselves. Listen to the ghost of Mary Celeste to be convinced.

While still often despairing and desperate, March of Ghosts is likely the most accessible piece Gazpacho has done in several albums. Or perhaps not. It's not really their thing. You know, to be friendly or radio ready. Ultimately, I dig March of Ghosts. Very recommended.

There's no doubting the sullen despondency inherent in their music. But Gazpacho's March of Ghosts could be their most friendly and accessible record to date.

Alphabetical Index

By far, Sweden's Eclipse is one of my favorite bands. Always consistent and always entertaining, Eclipse has been delivering their 21st century version of melodic metal rock since songwriter, producer ... [ Read More ]