| Reviews on SPEKTRUM "Spektrum"  |
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| "This is a tour de force, into early Genesis like prog, played with great skill, passion & love to the genre. Hansi Cross have always had a very special place in my heart, from the first Cross record. I simply love the way he plays & the way he writes music. On Spektrum he once again have written some fantastic tracks with help from Olov Anderson & Lizette von Panajott. On the track “Now”, Lizette von Panajott's vocals fits in perfectly with the unique keyboard solo & Hansi Cross’ great guitar-solo. Amazing stuff. Another highlight is the outstanding track “Ivory Tower”, which once again shows Hansi Cross’s ability to write & perform prog extraordinaire. Lizette von Panajotts high range voice reminds me of Pat Benetar, which fits the track great. Powerful & strong. With luch keyboards, drums , unique bass and again Hansi Cross’s out of this world guitar-solos. In fact all tracks have something out of the ordinaries to offer. Spektrum is a unique band, who have made a fantastic album. Performed perfectly down to the last track. Hopefully “Spektrum”, will find its way to many listeners around the world. It do deserves a to be heard by all lovers of prog. I for one simply adores this kind of music, made by these supreme artists. Comes highly recommended to all." Rating: 4 planets (out of 5) PROGPLANET |
"This is a Swedish progressive rock project featuring Olov Andersson and Goran Johnsson of Grand Stand, Galleon's Goran fors, hansi Cross and female vocalist Lizette von Panajott. By keeping the CD relatively short (42 minutes) they've not overindulged themselves in a whirlpool of time changes and for the avarage listener it makes for a vibrant and fresh album, especially with it's melodic and stylish thread. Admittely though, it took a few spins to get used to von Panajott's voice, but after coming to terms with it, I realised how special it was, knitting together the music in a remarkable way; especially the commanding vocal part on the monster that is "Ivory Tower", which includes some jerky, driving lush guitars. Away from von Panajott's positive contribution instrumental "Perpetuum Mobile", starts off quietly and the layer upon layer of instruments are added with steady momentum before reverting back to the style of the opening quiet spell. "Now", although over 9 minutes long, is a remarkable easy listen and has a striking keyboard solo before the guitars take over with stirring effect. "Land of Longing" and "The Quest" hold the key element of the bands commercial potential, namely a driving, poppy bass line. An album that will poke and prod you until you're well and truly hooked." Rating: 7 out of 8 POWERPLAY |
"Although there are a lot of new releases around, it seems as if a lot of record labels prefer some heavier material. Fortunately, the Swedish Progress Records are still holding on to the real progressive rock. Cross, Galleon and Grand Stand have already released a lot of splendid prog albums. The last Grand Stand release "Tricks of Time" was praised by the whole prog press. Out of that success rose the project Spektrum, a collaboration of the members from the 3 previously mentioned bands and the female vocalist Lizette von Panajott. And the result is excellent: melodic and refreshing progressive rock with strong compositions and a spotless production. After a short symphonic introduction "Spektrum", the album starts with "Land of Longing", a track with actually some hit potential, flavoured with a Genesis sauce. Lizette immediately puts down a strong, vocal performance, it's hard to compare her with other female vocalists, but Alanis Morissette probably is the best choice. The song starts with a Porcupine Tree intro, the vocals sound a bit poppy and the accompanying keyboards give you an eighties feeling. But the chorus is again some real Genesis and keeps on popping up in your head. The instrumental passages in the middle and at the end have some Grand Stand influences, but that's normal as Olov is one of the composers of the song. A quiet keyboard brings us to the first tones of "Now", which have a suspicious resemblance with the beginning of "Fool on the Hill" by The Beatles. Pure coincidence? The peace changes very fast, the tempo clearly rises when Hansi Cross releases his demons. Although this song is full of rhythm changes and surprising turns, it still has an easy listening feeling. This song was initially meant for the next Cross album. Olov again plays a beautiful, melodic keyboard solo, in the style of "Tricks of Time" by Grand Stand. The guitar solo by Hansi also steps in the footsteps of that album, these Swedish musicians really took out a patent on beautiful guitar solos with long notes with a lot of sustain, so no plucking. "Perpetuum Mobile" starts with a quiet melody from a musical box, joined by the electric piano and later other keyboards. One by one, instruments are added, the volume's rising, the drums get more aggressive and a steady bassline is put underneath. A bit later, a melodic guitar solo is started, this song reminds me of the better Camel. Then the voices are joining in and a wonderful, beautiful guitarsolo is giving the finishing touch. At the end, we're back to the musical box. This is a song that makes my flesh creep. "Ivory Tower" starts with some harmonic vocals, in the style of RPWL. A threatening guitar accompanies a strong Lizette. The entire song has something dark and a distorted guitarsound only accentuates this feeling. And also Pink Floyd comes round the corner for a moment, when the psychedelic keyboard solo sets off. "A Chemical Release" is, once more, an up-tempo song, that makes me think of a song out of a rock musical, but there ends every comparison, because the prog always prevails. Again, this is a melodic, perfect composition, brilliant solos on guitar and keyboards and splendid vocals or to make a long story short, it's like the synthesis of the whole album. I should also mention the rhythm section (drums and bass). Although they don't come in front individually, they play an important part on the whole of the CD. It must be clear by now, this is a little masterpiece from Sweden. This land abounds in talent, especially when we talk about progressive rock. This CD is really the prototype, it will be difficult to keep "Spektrum" out of my top 3 of 2003. The year has only started, but the others will have to come up with something really good to compete with this one. My advice is, buy it!" PROG-NOSE |
"A wonderful symphonic journey, which combines the musical elements of the original bands, from which the musicians come from. Everyone looking for Progressive Rock with fine melodies and a touch of the past, should check this album out." Rating: 12 out of 15 points PROGRESSIVE NEWSLETTER |
"Technically it is excellent, melodically there's no false notes here and it's also very emotional. What can one more ask for? 8 out of 10 points" PROGRESSIVE WAVES |
"The style of the album can be enlisted in the majestic and melodic tendencies of the intermediate period of Genesis, around A Trick of the tail and Wind and Wuthering. The combination of the keyboards of Andersson (and the synth layers provided by almost all the other members) and Cross' guitars reminds me of great and memorable passages of Banks and Hackett at their best. The result is a very fresh sounding album, very solid, as if it was the result of years of work together. The melodies and rythmical turns are constant, with touching moments in the climax of the pieces. Just listen to the closing of "Perpetuum Mobile", it's impossible not being touched by that piece or the wonderful development of "The Quest", with beautiful work from Andersson and a fine solo from Cross. Or the energy of "Ivory Tower", with it's dramatic tone heightened by the great backing vocals of all members. We could mention almost every passage of the entire album, since you will find new things as you listen more and more to the album. Spektrum is an immensely recommendable album that truly confirms that Scandinavia is the ideal place to discover new progressive rock music like the unquestionable talent of many of recent artists of the modern progressive rock scene." MELLOTRON |
"This is a very good release and recommended to the fans of Progressive Melodic Rock! (Points: 8.0 out of 10) STRUTTERZINE |
"They play an exciting symphonic prog, very pompous and melodic, ruled by the wonderful keyboard playing of Olov Andersson and Hansi Cross' guitars. Sometimes it's very close to Landmarq's or IQ's music but they also are quite original and not so derivative. "Land Of Longing", "Now", "Perpetuum Mobile" and the final track "Chemical Release" are really great tunes, exciting and played by skilled musicians, showing everybody their bright future to come. It's only May and it's too early to make 2003 polls but I already can put this record among my favourites of these 5 first months. Buy it!" TALES OF WONDER |
"It's obvious that proggers will enjoy this album." PROGLANDS |
"Spektrum includes members of Grand Stand, Galleon, and Cross; all of whom have released great discs recently. Basically Spektrum is right in there with those bands (especially Grand Stand and Galleon) with Genesis-like keyboards and changes. The key difference here are the vocals of Lizette who has a voice comparable to a cross between Alanis Morrissete and Tracy Hitchings; sort of rough around the edges, but melodic as well. It's safe to say if you like the above mentioned bands, you'll definately like Spektrum" MISSING PIECE |
"Musically, Spektrum probably owes more to Tony Banks than anyone else, particularly in the wonderful "Land of Longing" which sounds like that perfect prog/pop mix of a song Tony on a great day could and should have written. "Now" is the albums magnum opus, as moving a song as they come, full of powerful, emotional chord changes and Andy Latimer-like guitar riffs. Elsewhere, "A Chemical Release" sounds like a typical rocker for a few bars until keyboardist Olov Andersson comes in with the type of chord changes that only the prog masters seem to accomplish. Fresh, upbeat, and summery, this is the perfect CD either to drive to, or to sit back and give a complete listen to, and probably my favorite album, so far, of the 21st century. " PROGRESSIVE EARS - Bill Gillham |
"This self-titled debut album opens with a short intro, which is the title track and is a grandiose start to get the taste buds watering. "Land of Longing" has a distinct Tony Banks feel circa A Curious Feeling and even Trick of A Tail to Duke era Genesis big sound. Lizette von Panajott's vocals are refreshing and well suited to the music and the backing vocals courtesy of the rest of the band. The Genesis feel gets even stronger halfway through "Now" with percussion, keys, guitar and bass not to mention bass pedals adding to the impression. "Perpetuum Mobile" is a cracking instrumental that slowly builds up power and intensity allowing Hansi Cross's guitar to come to the fore. Equally hot is "The Quest" where the Genesis/Banks phrasing becomes even stronger. "A Chemical Release", an upbeat Tracy Hitchings style song, closes the album and leaves the listener on a high (to tell the truth, you will just want to play the CD all over again). Quality of recording and musicianship is high as are the compositions. Genesis fans will feel at home with the familiarity of the instrumentation though I must emphasise that Spektrum is not a Genesis clone. The band has all the quality of that Swedish favourite, The Flower Kings, and has entered the prog world running." HAIRLESS HEART HERALD |
"Spektrum is a fantastic album, written and performed by very talented musicians that seem to have a fondness for analogue keyboards, something I can only encourage! It is a refreshing progressive rock album and should get lots more attention. Let's hope they will not leave it with this, but make more of this great music. On their website you can download an mp3 sample and I bet if you download it and play it, you'll be hooked. Just like me." PROGPOWER |
"The debut album by Sweden's Spektrum is a seven-track self-titled progressive masterpiece. Despite a relatively short running time (42 minutes), the album builds vocally and instrumentally leaving the listener longing for more as it concludes. Spektrum's music offers allusions to great progressive bands like Yes, Genesis and Magenta. Their album opens with an extremely brief title track before breaking into the lushly arranged Genesis-styled "Land Of Longing." The gorgeous vocal harmonies that dominate are underscored by keyboard washes and rhythmic guitar excursions. Lizette's lead vocals emerge amongst lovely guitar solos in the epic "Now," a modern yet 70s style number most reminiscent of tracks the debut Magenta album and Christina Murphy's lead vocals. Multi-tracked vocal harmonies and symphonic keyboards add tremendous textures. A variety of tempo and style changes as well as further instrumental solos during the bridge contribute to the progressive edge of the material. The album changes flavour in "Perpetuum Mobile," a powerful classically-influenced and lush progressive instrumental with a powerful guitar solo intermixed with layers of Lizette's gorgeous vocalise as the song reaches its climax. The first of the album's standouts is highly accessible rocker "The Quest" featuring Lizette's soaring crystalline lead and lush harmony vocals atop rich keyboard- and guitar-based arrangements. An extended instrumental bridge is followed by a lovely vocal reprise. All band members contribute to the Yes-like opening vocal harmony in "Ivory Tower," before Lizette's evocative lead vocal takes over. Rhythmic guitar, crisp percussion and lush keyboards provide an excellent and bluesy foundation for Lizette's soaring lead and the backing singers' harmonies. A variety of guitar excursions and keyboard textures during the bridge precede the return of lush Yes-styled vocal harmonies and Lizette's soaring lead vocals. The album concludes with the upbeat progressive tune "A Chemical Release." A variety of Lizette's vocal textures compliment the rich keyboard-based arrangement ranging from everso powerful processed sounds to lovely crystalline solos and lush backing harmonies. The extended keyboard and combined guitar solos and supporting arrangements within the piece are incredible. Lizette's powerful vocals return prior to the second and downtempo instrumental bridge at the conclusion of the track. It is clearly an album standout. Clearly worth a trans-Atlantic journey, and an album in the running for a spot in our "best of the year" list, Spektrum is a must listen!" MUSICAL DISCOVERIES |
"Spektrum has certainly delivered one of the better albums that has come out of Sweden for a long time, so giving this album a spin is the least you can do!" PROG'N'ROLL |
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"Over the past few years the standard of pure progressive rock has not been to good and so it was about time a new band was formed to improve the situation. Thankfully members of Swedish bands Galleon, Cross and Grand stand along with the exceptional vocal talent of Lizette von Panajott have united to form a new band and release an album of new material. The good news are that progfans are going to love'em, especially those who like their keyboard solos and plenty of searing guitar breaks. The vocal harmonies are excellent too. Guitarist Hansi Cross and bassist Goran Fors are already known to those who have been reading this magazine for a few years bu to have a drummer who plays guitar, keyboards and sings too is something quite unique today. There is also the little matter of amazing proggy keyboard playing of Olov Andersson. It all makes for a carneval of prog-rock. The only disappointing aspect is the duration of the album, something that falls short of the quintessential progressive rock album at less than 42 minutes. Still, that will probably have us all screaming out for a follow up album pretty soon. Highly recommended to prog fans!" THE CLASSIC ROCK SOCIETY JOURNAL |
"A superb album that progheads need to search out." GHOSTLAND |
"Another great swedish progalbum!" PROGART |
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