Band: Knight Area

CD Title: “Realm of Shadows”

Label: Laser’s Edge Records

Release Date: 2009

Holland’s Knight Area have been around for quite a few years now but it was only in 2004 that they released their first CD. Now in 2009 their third CD Realm of Shadows has arrived. Previous releases have seen a variety of line-ups. There were eleven individuals making the music on the first CD, then seven for the second and now they’ve settled on five consisting of: Gerben Klazinga (keyboards), Mark Vermeule (guitars), Gijs Koopman (bass, Moog Taurus pedals), Mark Smit (vocals) and Pieter van Hoorn (drums). To my ears this consolidation of members has really helped define a sound for Knight Area; rather than musicians being in the service of one or two key members, the music on Realm of Shadows has a cohesiveness that permeates the whole album.

On the disc we’re treated to nine compositions that stylistically sound like a blending of the symphonic styles of Arena and IQ. There’s a lush, full, layered sound that I found really pleasing. The music is filled with wonderful arpeggios, catchy riffs, cascading guitar/keyboard runs, anthemic choruses, huge swells of music and grand climaxes. Things get off to an excellent start with “Ethereal” [6:71] featuring a grand introduction before sliding into the song proper which then continues to vacillate between soft and intimate and loud panoramic musical passages. I just love the bass pedals which are used throughout and lend such an air of grandness to the music. You just know this is big stuff. Two shorter instrumentals provide an opportunity for the bass and then keyboards to be profiled. Both tracks are quite up-tempo allowing for some excellent performances. Jumping ahead, my favorite track is the title track “Realm of Shadows” [5:51] which starts with vocals, piano and Mellotron samples before a wonderfully melodic chorus. But then again, the hauntingly majestic Mellotron choirs and bass pedals that close out “Dark Souls” [5:29] is pretty good too.

They say “third times the charm” and in that regard Realm of Shadows really works for me. I love this symphonic sound and Knight Area do it well. This disc is a marked improvement over the first two in terms of compositions as well as musical performance. There is a confidence here that I didn’t hear as strongly previously. This is a solid piece of symphonic prog and I’m recommending it to all fans of the genre.