After a break of a full 38 years, the Swiss band Flame Dream is back „in the game“ with a new album titled „Silent Transition.“ During the previous phase of their career, their activity did not go unnoticed, as well as the release of 6 albums, some of which, like „Elements“ from 1979, perhaps garnered even more public attention than their other releases. At that time, the group was arranged with music from bands such as Genesis, Van Der Graaf Generator, or UK, although much of what they arranged musically can be considered an authentic approach.
Although this is not uncommon today, 38 years is a long period, and a lot has happened within the international scene and the progressive form. The current album, with 5 compositions, was realized by the band in its original lineup, with the addition of the well-known and respected guitarist Alex Hutchings. There is no doubt that this is a serious and long-crafted work, where an apparently calm or „calmer“ atmosphere, through a performative „analytical“ approach, dominates the songs present and heard here. „Pauses“ between instrumental and vocal passages add to the overall atmosphere, where the harmonic dimension prevails and makes this release listenable, yet at the same time a challenging work. There is also no doubt that, in its own way, the Swiss act „combined“ influences from the earlier period with newer tendencies, which also represents an interesting trend that ultimately withstands the always ungrateful test of the present time. Personally, listening to this album was a great pleasure for me, where I do not want to omit at any moment that despite years of „hibernation“, the band is still in good shape.
okt 1 2025
FLAME DREAM – „Silent Transition“
(eVe Records) 2024.
CD/2LP/Digital
Progressive/symphonic prog. – SWITZERLAND
After a break of a full 38 years, the Swiss band Flame Dream is back „in the game“ with a new album titled „Silent Transition.“ During the previous phase of their career, their activity did not go unnoticed, as well as the release of 6 albums, some of which, like „Elements“ from 1979, perhaps garnered even more public attention than their other releases. At that time, the group was arranged with music from bands such as Genesis, Van Der Graaf Generator, or UK, although much of what they arranged musically can be considered an authentic approach.
Although this is not uncommon today, 38 years is a long period, and a lot has happened within the international scene and the progressive form. The current album, with 5 compositions, was realized by the band in its original lineup, with the addition of the well-known and respected guitarist Alex Hutchings. There is no doubt that this is a serious and long-crafted work, where an apparently calm or „calmer“ atmosphere, through a performative „analytical“ approach, dominates the songs present and heard here. „Pauses“ between instrumental and vocal passages add to the overall atmosphere, where the harmonic dimension prevails and makes this release listenable, yet at the same time a challenging work. There is also no doubt that, in its own way, the Swiss act „combined“ influences from the earlier period with newer tendencies, which also represents an interesting trend that ultimately withstands the always ungrateful test of the present time. Personally, listening to this album was a great pleasure for me, where I do not want to omit at any moment that despite years of „hibernation“, the band is still in good shape.
flamedreammusic.com
Objavio Branimir Lokner • International reviews • • Tags: Branimir Lokner, Flame Dream, progressive, Silent Transition, Switzerland, Time Machine Music