The Art of Mind (Progressive Promotion Records, 2015)
The Art of Mind is an impressive recording by Apogee, a project led by German artist Arne Schäfer, Versus X’ vocalist, guitarist and composer. On The Art of Mind, Schäfer demonstrates his admirable talent by playing practically all instruments except drums.
The first cut on The Art of Mind is a fabulous 20-minute suite titled ‘The Art of Mind’. Here, Apogee delivers an outstanding epic where Peter Hamill-inspired vocals give way to memorable synth work and epic guitar progressions. While long suites are a progressive rock trademark, some artists do it better than others. Apogee does a magnificent job with the orchestrations, arrangements and transitions, delivering a notable work of symphonic progressive rock that takes you back to the classic years of the early and mid-1970s.
The rest of the tracks on The Art of Mind average 9 minutes and are equally good. Although Arne Schäfer is best known as a guitarist in Versus X, his keyboard work in The Art of Mind is striking, featuring superb synth solos, rich layers of mellotron, as well as delightful organ and piano performances. Occasionally, rarely, Schäfer gets adventurous with the vocals, creating fascinating overdubs, especially on track 2, ‘Inside the wheel.’
The lineup on The Art of Mind includes Arne Schäfer on lead and backing vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards and fretted and fretless bass; and Eberhard Graef on drums and percussion.
The Art of Mind is a beautifully composed album by one of the most talented multi-instrumentalists in the progressive rock scene.
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