APOGEE - ON THE AFTERTASTE - 2001

[blockquote]APOGEE is the solo project of Arne Schäfer, vocalist and guitarist of the German progressive rock band VERSUS X. All songs on "On The Aftertaste" is composed, arranged and performed by Arne. He has previously released two albums on the French Musea label: "The Border of Awareness" (1995) and "Sisyphos" (1998). This album contains previously unreleased material that was not included on those two albums. The music is complex 70's influenced progressive symphonic rock with lengthy instrumental passages and many rhythm changes. Arne's musical influences are many: JETHRO TULL, FRANK ZAPPA, GENTLE GIANT, RUSH, Peter HAMMILL, UK, UNIVERS ZERO, XTC, DREAM THEATER, MAGELLAN, QUEEN, Bruce SPRINGSTEEN, CARDIACS, BEATLES, Kate BUSH, 5 UU'S, THINKING PLAGUE, ANGLAGARD, Allan HOLDSWORTH, TRAFFIC, Igor Stravinsky and Gustav Mahler. The most obvious influences though are EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER, VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR, GENESIS, KING CRIMSON and YES. The compositions are very good with lots of complexity. Unfortunately there are some rather boring songs to with similarities to ELEGANT SIMPLICITY. Although this album is splendid on some tracks I rather prefer VERSUS X.
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