This years Progfarm festival has already revealed one of their guests. Not the host themselves (Flamborough Head), but a rather new band from Germany. Morphelia.

According to their first album "Prognocircus" we are in for a real treat. Between December 2002 and March 2003 they recorded a very melodic album. Not always very original, but who cares.
Right from the start we can hear certain parts in the music which reminded me of well known bands. On the opening track "Midnight sun" they start with an intro which sounds a bit like the classic piece "Also Sprach Zarathustra". It is followed by fragments which could have been done by Survivor. Some more clasical influences can be enjoyed in the same song. The second track "Love of an old man" has some riffs which reminded me of Queen's "We will rock you". On "Dream of Jeruzalem" traces of Saga can be noticed.
Also Dream Theater has probably been some kind of influence to the 5 musicians. Most of all guitar player Guido Frölich sounds sometimes like John Petruci. He is a very talented musician who has a great ear for fine solo's. Also keyboardist Günter Grünebast is a wonderful player who has some fantastic sounds in his instruments. Even lead singer Kurt Stwrtetschka has a fine voice who can be emotional and raw.

The musicians can certainly be proud of this fine product. The band is at the time already working on their next album. This will be a concept album and if everything works out fine it would have been released before the already mentioned Progfarm festival. Iam certain that this product will be something special. Unfortunately it will take a long time before it is actually November. Therefore we can only play this great prog album untill Pragfarm is on the agenda. Curious how the album sounds? Check the band at their website and you'll find out that I was right from the start that this is a fine CD.

**** (Henri)

www.backgroundmagazine.nl