Dreaming Madmen – “Ashes of a Diary” | Progressive Rock Central.com

Wow! Sometimes you find gems lying on the beach and in other places obscure; like CDBaby.com, before they closed the store.

Dreaming Madmen’s Ashes of a Diary, is one of those, once in a lifetime finds for me. I compare it to the time that I was searching for new music in the bins at my favorite music store; back in the early eighties, and stumbled upon IQ’s The Wake. I bought the album, because the cover had a singer that was dressed up in makeup that resembled Peter Gabriel’s, from early Genesis. I have been a fan of Peter Gabriel era Genesis, since youth. Well, I have had the entire IQ discography for quite a while now. They used to be one of my favorite bands.

Well, Dreaming Madmen sound nothing like Genesis. Instead they do sound like another classic progressive rock band of that time, Pink Floyd. The opening song, “Page One”, even put back the pops and static, we all remember from the sound of vinyl recordings, at the track’s opening, to capture the pure sound, before playing what sounds like, their comparison to one of Pink Floyd’s best, “Wish You Were Here”. No, the melody is different, but the blazing guitar solo will remind you of David Gilmour’s playing.

Now, if Rush was amazing, in the sound they produced, with three members, then grab a chair and listen to the sound that two brothers from Lebanon can create. The two brothers are Mathew, who plays lead guitar, keys, and sings vocals; and Christopher Aboujaoude, who plays bass, keys and also sings vocals. “The duo began their musical journeys at young ages, 7 & 9, respectively and have been playing together ever since”. They are such Pink Floyd fans that they formed a tribute band named ‘Brick Floyd’, with their father. “They have toured from 2014-2017, in the Middle East and in the USA. They assembled a 3-hour show that was completely synced to a psychedelic laser-lightshow.

Ashes of a Diary was released worldwide on September 14th, 2019. But it is never too late to experience great music. “The concept album’s narrative theme and melancholic lyrics delve into the psyche and tell the story of an elderly man, who discovers an old journal of his; filled with writings detailing a life of pain, obsession, love, hatred and regret”.

This is one of those rare albums today that does not have a bad or filler song on it. Every song is dynamic, challenging and at the same time nostalgic of the sound and power delivered by Pink Floyd.

As younger performers I am sure they will develop even further over the years, but this debut album is not only one of the best albums I have heard this year, it is one of the best I have heard in years. Nothing is missing. Neither of the brothers has the vocals of Gilmour or Waters. Neither has that wonderful sarcasm of Waters, but that will come in time. Or maybe they will just continue to take the sound and make it their own, like they do on this debut.

I absolutely love the opener, “Page One”, and think “Your Possessor”, is something that would have felt right at home on The Dark Side of the Moon, Meddle or Animals.

“Behind My Wall” has its obvious connection to Roger Waters brilliant opus The Wall.

“Lock Thyself” brings back many memories from Meddle. There is a little of the spirit of Fearless here, along with the heavy influence of the Dark Side keys.

“Enigma” has its own fuel and originality. Power chords and deep bass, complete with blitzing drums. An over 5-minute instrumental that allows the brothers to play with restless abandon, without having to be structured by words. The affect is both mind-blowing and liberating.

The title track, “Ashes of a Diary”, is another great song that would have fit well on any of the Pink Floyd classics mentioned above, Dark Side, Wishing, and Animals.

“Final Page” has a grand opening which almost starts like Court of the Crimson King, but then digresses into a song that would have fit on side two of The Wall. The melody that comes with “I know we will meet someday again my friend”, reminded me of ELO’s Eldorado, for a minute, then the Floyd sound resumed.

Please buy this album and listen to a new band’s interpretation and blending of the sound of classic Pink Floyd with riffs of their own.

If there is any criticism at all, it would be that they stick pretty close to the sound of Floyd during the 1973 – ‘77-time frame. Although many would say that is Floyd’s best music, they have played many different types of melodies and music styles over the years. The infusion of the ELO and King Crimson sounds helps diversity their sound. They will eventually grow from being a cover band. They already have, but are still tied to that wonderful Pink Floyd sound.

I for one, look forward to this talented band’s bright future.

https://dreamingmadmen.com/

https://dreamingmadmen.bandcamp.com/album/ashes-of-a-diary

https://www.facebook.com/DreamingMadmen

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB5Hm05J1vU65BGOSVEpF1A