Mahogany Frog – Faust (MoonJune Records, 2022)
Canadian instrumental progressive rock band Mahogany Frog has created a mesmerizing recording that provides the musical atmosphere for the iconic German silent Film “Faust” from 1926.
Although you could call this music cinematic, it is not symphonic at all. Instead, the band builds mysterious ambiances, dark and eerie sounds, odd fuzzed out guitar riffage, spellbinding passages and climactic moments, combining electronics and progressive psychedelic rock that recalls Ummagumma and Meddle-era Pink Floyd, as well as the early works of German electronic music pioneers Tangerine Dream and even Italian horror music masters Goblin.
The lineup includes Graham Epp on guitar, keyboards, electronics, trumpet; Jesse Warkentin on guitar, keyboards, electronics; Scott Ellenberger on bass, keyboards, electronics, trumpet; and Andy Rudolph on drums, keyboards, electronics.
Mahogany Frog’s “Faust” is a perfectly suited soundtrack for a movie about dishonesty, desolation, and salvation.