Fusonic: Fields Of No Man's Land

Fusonic is another new band for me. Hailing from The Netherlands the quartet just released their second album Fields Of No Man's Land, following up their 2010 debut Desert Dreams. In the band are Teo (electric, acoustic and nylon string guitars, violin), Harry Ickelsheimer (keyboards, bass, electric rhythm guitar), Ronald Hoogwout (drums, bamboo tympani, ethnic percussion) and Alex van Hoorn (vocals, synths, ebow, programming). Guest musicians include Paul van der Feen (alto sax on "Golden Valley"), Sjak Franssen ((bass on "Solitude") and Rob Schultheiss (ocarina on "Natural Evocation").

According to the press release the band is influenced by the likes of Pink Floyd, Genesis, Camel and…well you get the picture. Symphonic prog with a taste of the '70s. This disc is filled with lush keyboard soundscapes, melodic lead vocals (on two tracks) and beautiful guitar motifs. The first track "Natural Evocation" is a bit of an anomaly delving into World music with an East Indian flavour and includes pretty acoustic guitar throughout. "Thriller Of The Mind" is much more symphonic with lush and dreamy keyboard heavy soundscapes. The richly orchestrated "Time Waits" is another gently flowing pretty tune with mildly trippy keyboards and melodic lead vocals. The dreaminess of the music is a perfect fit for Hoorn's laid back vocal delivery. Camel and Pink Floyd are solid reference points. "Movie Theme" is another beautifully orchestrated piece with soaring lead guitar pointing to '70s Pink Floyd. The music careens from slightly heavier moments to more serene movements.

One of my favourites is the spine tingling "Solitude", the other track to feature Hoorn's warm lead vocals. Camel comes to mind as the music builds into some trippy atmospheric guitar. Off kilter tempos up the progressive factor. "Golden Valley" is another excellent track featuring spacey dream-like textures and wonderful saxophone ala Dick Parry. Again Pink Floyd comes to mind.

Fields Of No Man's Land is a wonderful symphonic progressive rock album and although some might say this has been done before I say who cares when the music is this well-crafted. The band's skill, attention to detail, subtle improvisations and finely tuned melodies are a joy to listen to. Recommended.

Track Listing:
1. Natural Evocation
2. Thriller Of The Mind
3. Time Waits
4. Movie Theme
5. Electronic War
6. Verticals
7. Solitude
8. Golden Valley
9. Spaceflight
10. Running Hiding
11. Humanity?

Added: January 3rd 2016
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Official Site
Hits: 2024
Language: english

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