Band: Soniq Theater
Album Title: Unknown Realities
Genre: Progressive Rock
Release Date: Out Now
Weblinks: www.soniqtheater.de
www.myspace.com/soniqtheater
Soniq Theater is a one-man project, presenting a blend of progressive styles, mainly symphonic progressive rock with elements of metal, ambient, electronic music, classical music and fusion. The music is composed, performed, recorded and mixed by Alfred Mueller.As it is a one-man-project, the music is not planned to be played live. Nevertheless Soniq Theater is heard already by many people in about 80 radios,on the Soniq Theater website, in Myspace and many other music portals.
Soniq Theater is recommended to all open-minded progressive rock-fans and is appreciated as well by normal people with some musical education.
The most important influences are:
– The great prog-bands of the 70s like Yes, Genesis, Kansas, ELP, Saga, Rush, King Crimson, UK, Camel, Gentle Giant, Pink Floyd, Manfred Manns Earth Band. Anyones Daughter, Eloy – progmetal bands like Dream Theater, Enchant, Symphony X, Royal Hunt
– new progbands of the 90s: Magellan, Cairo, Everon, Spocks Beard, Glass Hammer, Ines – electronic music of Tangerine Dream, Yanni, Chris Franke and Vangelis
– prog-related artists like: Rick Wakeman, Mike Oldfield, Alan Parsons Project, Karl Jenkins (of Soft Machine and Adiemus), Pierre Moerlens Gong, Steve Morse, David Arkenstone, Pat Metheny, Gandalf- classical music: symphonies and baroque music
Discography:
SONIQ THEATER:
Unknown Realities (2010)
Vision Quest (2009)
Life Seeker (2008)
Seventh Heaven (2007)
Enchanted (2006)
Pandromania (2005)
This Mortal Coil (2004)
The Third Eye (2003)
a SECOND of ACTion (2002)
Soniq Theater (debut, 2000)
RACHELS BIRTHDAY: an Invitation to Rachels Birthday (1996)
Biography of Alfred:
Born in 1962. Taking organ lessons since the age of 12. First synthesizer when he was 17. At the age of 18 he had his first band Played in bands of different styles. In 1992 he won the rock-contest HEADLINER in Germany with his band Rachels Birthday In 1996 Rachels Birthdays CD an
invitation to was released 1999 start of Soniq Theater.
Review:
'Unknown Realties' is the stunning new album from Soniq Theater, which is basically based around the multi talented Alfred Mueller, who has played all the instruments and produced, recorded, mixed and mastered the whole affair. And what a job Alfred has done, I tell you what I wasn't prepared for this CD, it's a remarkable listen that more often than not is simply beautiful in construction and beautiful. The CD opens up with the instrumental 'Longing For Freedom'. The track reminds of A-Ha, high tech power pop mixed with progressive rock soundscapes. A superb opening track. 'Revealing A Dream' is another instrumental and reminds of guitarist Bernd Steidel's work, only more progressive with hints of Vangelis. 'Revolution Hymn' has a more traditional progressive rock feel, a little more melodic and jazz based.
Next is the quite beautiful 'Cosmic Angel', it a gentle moody piece heavily laden in synths as are most of the albums track, this one makes me think of Spock's Beard as the track builds and is one of the highlights. Next up is 'Black Mustang', a catchier driving song with a few sound effects mixed in with lots of synth, this comes over a little like Vince DiCola's music from Rocky IV. 'Pavillon' is breathtaking, an inspiring beautifully performed tune, lots of twists and turns along the way, a very nice theme style song, lovely melodies.
The jazz funky beats are blended into the next track called 'The Nitty Gritty', and then we get another highlight, the excellent 'Call Of The Unknown'. Here we find another track that is very diverse, sonic and hard to latch onto, very catchy. 'Roll The Dice' is basically a race of 80's pop, think Human League without vocals, maybe even Erasure. Next is 'Organic Food', this song shows Alfred delving back into traditional progressive rock and is a lovely track, a slight Genesis feel crossed with say Steve Howe. The closing track is called 'Slipping Into The Future', this song ventures into new age territory mixed with prog leanings and perfectly ends an interesting and diverse album that is well worth exploring. Check Alfred out at www.soniqtheater.de – Nicky Baldrian
Tracklisting :
1. Longing for Freedom
2. Revealing a Dream
3. Revolution Hymn
4. Cosmic Angel
5. Black Mustang
6. Pavillon
7. The Nitty Gritty
8. Call of the Unknown
9. Roll the Dice
10. Organic Food
11. Slipping into the Future
UK Publicity : Two Side Moon Promotions
Email: twosidemoon.promo@ntlworld.com
www.slwpromotions.com/tsm/index.htm
www.myspace.com/nickyaor