After the excellent received début, the Norwegians of D´Accord wasted little time and now they are back with successor Helike. Consisting of two parts (no doubt that in the old days this would have been side 1 and 2 of the LP…) Helike turns out a concept album probably dealing with Greek mythology. I am not quite sure, did not receive any info on that. There are lyrics for 10 tracks in the booklet, so don´t worry they keep firing the same old song and dance at ya.
If anything, this album is a logical progression of their first album. Mastermind Daniel Maage sings with more self confidence I feel and the band still don´t shy away from wearing their influences on their sleeve. Yet I feel they have become less apparent on this disk, so that is a good development.
We still get progressive rock, firmly rooted in seventies traditions. Played on authentic instruments (Hammond, piano, flute, drums, bass and guitar) and several guest musicians bring even more original sounds like trumpet, trombone, tuba and saxophone. Lot´s of light and shade, playing with dynamics is a true forte of the band. Another strength is their melancholy. There are several chilling instrumental pieces on this disk (let alone vocally) that really get you. Compliments to the gents! So little doubt here that the aficionados will love this!
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