Sylvan Leaving Backstage
by Franco Wissa
Staff Writer
It has been as far back as 1990 when German brothers Volker Sohl (keyboards) and guitarist Kay Sohl formed what was then Chameleon. In 1997, a few lineup changes later and the band, with a harder edged change in their sound, now known as Sylvan released Deliverance in 1999. What would follow would be a succession of progressive rock releases much in the vein of It Bites, Marillion, and Porcupine Tree mixed with the haunting melodies of No Man.
A two CD set, CD 1 being a live performance of their brilliant concept 2006 CD, Posthumous Silence. And CD 2, also a live CD, this time of various releases of past albums of this great band.
CD 1 opens with “Eternity Ends,” a short instrumental featuring a myriad of synthesizers, organs and keyboards. It finishes with the sounds of thunder and angelic harmonies as the band transcends into track 2, “Bequest of Tears,” a beautiful haunting track that starts with a gorgeous piano introduction and softly the unique voice of Marco Gluhmann comes into focus. Gently the vocals and piano captivate the listener, with cellos and an organ delivering a striking underscore. “Bequest of Tears” is a theatrical track that closes with the sounds of a thumping bass line that then, without a break in the sound transcends into track 3, “In Chains.” This harder edge track has a spiteful feel to it, and one can almost describe it as nasty and malicious even.
Things slow down again with 1:25 “Biter Symphony,” and here it is a guitar that has a time to shine with a repetitive accompaniment, but it is perfectly done. The 9:14 “Pane of Truth,” is the CD highlight that almost has the sounds of early Saga with a jazzy/fusion flair. The vocals of Gluhmann fluctuate constantly and show the control that he has.
The hard rocking “Forgotten Virtue,” the moody “Questions,” the guitars and drums of “Answer to Life,” the eerie “A Sad Sympathy,” the exceptional “Message from the Past,” that could pass as very early Genesis are all striking. “The Last Embrace,” has a 1990’s grunge vibe to it that will causes the listener to move their head to the hard rocking beat, and the closing track, “Posthumous Silence,” is moving beyond belief with guitars and vocals that stretch heaven-ward as we hear the story of a father reading the diary of his deceased daughter. From the first verse comes “….In the quietness of his silent walls frail and unspoken, drops her pages down. While the sorrow like a moral guilt falls due he releases her, but mourns for sure…..” As this track comes to a close, one can feel their air escape, as they try to come to terms with what they have just heard. Only the hardest of man will not feel a tear come to their eye as they imagine the heartache, torment and anguish that any father would feel. And Sylvan, with little more than voices and music, with no attempt or desire to hold back the agony, brings this mood brilliantly to their audience.
CD Two opens with “Lost,” from their 2004 release, X-Rayed. It is hard rocking with a thumping bass and drums that keeps in tempo. In certain moments Gluhmann vocals seemed strained in the higher octaves, but when you hear of the excellent accompaniment from the guitars, bass and drums this is only the smallest of a drawback. Highlights of CD 2 included the soft “It’s Easy,” the acoustic guitars of “One Step Beyond,” the overall orchestration of “Deep Inside,” and the fusion sounds of “Artificial Paradise.”
Both CD 1 and 2 are an excellent mix of keyboard, vocals and guitars that all come together wonderfully. Together with strong bass lines, commanding drumming, the orchestration brought from the cellos and choral vocal arrangements, and this is truly a CD that fans of Sylvan need to latch on to and sounding truly fascinating live. The music flows without effort, the sound and mixing is excellent and not a scratch from the guitars can be heard. In its entirety the listener is mesmerized with feelings of being forlorn, angry, thoughtfulness, sadness and contemplative. Free from reverb or distortion this CD is about as strong as a live performance that one could hope for.
This was an excellent delivery of the best that Sylvan has to offer. It needs to be played in its entirety in one take, in one sitting to allow for the sounds of the orchestra, the instruments and the feelings that come from track after track all become part of the musical landscape that emits from Leaving Backstage. As the listener allows these emotions and feelings to swirl around them, they can feel like they two are center stage, as part of the live experience.
This was truly a wonderful listening experience …
Label: ProgRock Records
Track Listing
CD One:
Eternity Ends
Bequest of Tears
In Chains
Bitter Symphony
Pane of Truth
No Earthly Reason
Forgotten Virtue
The Colors Changed
A Sad Sympathy
Questions
Answer to Life
Message From the Past
The Last Embrace
A Kind of Eden
Posthumous Silence
CD 2
Lost
That’s Why it Hurts
So Easy
Encounters
One Step Beyond
This World Is Not For Me
Deep Inside
When the Leaves Fall Down
Artificial Paradise
Band Members:
Marco Gluhmann – vocals
Matthias Harder – drums
Sebastian Hardnack – bass
Jan Petersen – guitars
Volker Sohl – keyboards
Guest Musicians:
Guido Bungenstock – guitars
Stehanie Richter – cello
Stephanie Hundertmark – choir
Petra Schecter – choir
Miriam Schell – choir
HRH Rating 9/10