WATERCLIME - IMAGINATIVE - 2007

Mr V of Vintersörg wrote, plays and sings all parts of this, his second solo album. This is folk tinged Scandinavian symphonic neo-prog with a good variety of keyboard textures enhancing the rich instrumental themes. Flute synths, orchestral and choral mellotron sequences and organs abound, most notably in the second track Flashes. Unlike his debut album Mr V has made a deliberate effort to create a more eclectic mix of styles with a few jazzy touches although the overall pace of each song still seems very similar. There are occasional pop sensibilities as well as Yes-like parts which remind me of US band Ad Infinitum such as in "The Angel and the Fireball" and "Starshine Theater".

The latter song is particularly Yes or maybe Starcastle like with a strong bass line, twin guitar parts, luxuriant organ textures and neatly woven synth and percussive embellishments; arguably the highlight of the album. Treated vocals even add to the complexity and at 8 minutes it is one of the longest pieces with plenty of development as a result. Some of the jazz ethics emerge in "Sunset Morning" with faint hints of Hatfield and the North in the percussion, keyboards and vocals. . Chicago like brass vibes join in on "Body migrated" whilst there is a metal edge to the closing song "Twilight", a good ending piece which rocks nicely.

The lyrics are thoughtful and competently delivered in good English with multi-layering in many places. Compositionally, this is a confident neo-prog collection, the focus being on the song structure rather than instrumental sequences or impressive solos.
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Waterclime is a project of Andreas Hedland a.k.a. Vintersorg or Mr. V in which he expresses his love for progressive rock from the seventies. When I read this, I instantly got visions of a second ‘Damnation’ of Opeth or an (imaginary) solo album of Mikael Akerfeldt. Because the love for this genre has inspired many extreme metal musicians of the north to come up with true masterpieces. Think about Vintersorg’s other band Borknagar or what he releases under the moniker Vintersorg.

‘Imaginative’ is the second album in the quality of Waterclime - ‘The Astral Factor’ in 2006 was the debut - but this time Vintersorg did everything on his own: composing, playing the instruments and recording at Waves Studios. Like I said before the emphasis lies on progressive and symphonic rock but there are elements of jazz and folk music as well. Instruments like organ, mellotron and flute are very important in the music. Lyric-wise I notice any reminiscence with the era of bands like Yes, Nektar, Gong and even Uriah Hepp. Dreams, cosmic visions, poetic and magical themes; as a contraposition to the contemporary society. Waterclime has completely succeeded in making an album which really breathes the spirit of progressive rock. Let me put it straight that this is not metal. It is going back in time, when longhaired hippies had enough of simple rock and went searching for more intricate structures in the music.

I have to admit that I expected more. There are too much vocals in the songs. I do like Mr. V’s voice - this appears to be a matter of taste too - but I waited in vain for a song that instantly moved me. Mark you, I expected far from overwhelming metal eruptions like his other bands, but a song that doesn’t babble further peacefully would have been welcome. Sometimes my attention drifts away and I am angry with myself to experience this during a record of the ingenious Vintersorg. The best songs are ‘Moonstream Portrait’ and ‘Flashes’ which showcases most folk influences. Maybe I have to listen more to the album and will the charm slowly evoke, but for now this is a meritorious record, but not a masterpiece.
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