„Out In The Dark“ represents a reissue of one of the most important albums in the discography of the Swiss band Flame Dream. It was originally recorded in Patrick Moraz’s legendary studio, „Aquarius“, in Geneva, and followed the release of the previous successful album, „Elements“.
After 44 years in the world of the progressive movement, many things look different from before, although even the activities of the Swiss fellows back then were not in the „golden“ period of the movement that took place at the end of the 1960s and the beginning of the 1970s. But experience, as well as knowledge, ideas, and motives, represent an inexhaustible source of inspiration, and it is a pleasure, from such a temporal distance, to „relisten“ to the band’s album.
It is still not known whether the upcoming release will also have a vinyl version, and the current CD, which was produced as a digipack, is enriched with a 20-page booklet. „Out In The Dark“ and in its reissued form, confirms the mindset of the band members, as well as the group’s leader, Roland Ruckstuhl. Symphonic prog, which the band performed in the style of sounds initiated by earlier bands like Genesis, and to a lesser extent, Gentle Giant, Van Der Graaf Generator, and Yes, had its own specific path, arrangement breakthroughs, conceptual confrontations, and very precise musicianship, which showed and shows evident elements of discipline present in the entire band. Flame Dream performs the kind of progressive music that captures the listener’s attention and pleasure, and the passage of time in their case does not pose the slightest obstacle or trap that could make their work any less interesting or less modern. Excellent digital mastering work on this reissue was done by Michael Brandli. Any further form of activity by the Swiss group can only be welcome, and it would be good if other releases by the band also received reissues.
okt 6 2025
FLAME DREAM – „Out In The Dark“
(eVe Records) 2025/1981.
CD/Digital
Progressive/symphonic.prog – SWITZERLAND
„Out In The Dark“ represents a reissue of one of the most important albums in the discography of the Swiss band Flame Dream. It was originally recorded in Patrick Moraz’s legendary studio, „Aquarius“, in Geneva, and followed the release of the previous successful album, „Elements“.
After 44 years in the world of the progressive movement, many things look different from before, although even the activities of the Swiss fellows back then were not in the „golden“ period of the movement that took place at the end of the 1960s and the beginning of the 1970s. But experience, as well as knowledge, ideas, and motives, represent an inexhaustible source of inspiration, and it is a pleasure, from such a temporal distance, to „relisten“ to the band’s album.
It is still not known whether the upcoming release will also have a vinyl version, and the current CD, which was produced as a digipack, is enriched with a 20-page booklet. „Out In The Dark“ and in its reissued form, confirms the mindset of the band members, as well as the group’s leader, Roland Ruckstuhl. Symphonic prog, which the band performed in the style of sounds initiated by earlier bands like Genesis, and to a lesser extent, Gentle Giant, Van Der Graaf Generator, and Yes, had its own specific path, arrangement breakthroughs, conceptual confrontations, and very precise musicianship, which showed and shows evident elements of discipline present in the entire band. Flame Dream performs the kind of progressive music that captures the listener’s attention and pleasure, and the passage of time in their case does not pose the slightest obstacle or trap that could make their work any less interesting or less modern. Excellent digital mastering work on this reissue was done by Michael Brandli. Any further form of activity by the Swiss group can only be welcome, and it would be good if other releases by the band also received reissues.
flamedreammusic.com
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Objavio Branimir Lokner • International reviews • • Tags: Branimir Lokner, Flame Dream, Out in The Dark, progressive, Roland Ruckstuhl, Switzerland, symphonic.prog, Time Machine Music