IXION - Talisman

Ixion is a Dutch music project started by composer, producer, musician and lyricist Jankees Braam. Jankees started as bassplayer in a symphonic rock band called Sangamo where he was member for twelve years. About five years ago he decided to leave the band and start his own project called Ixion. With enough material to complete an whole album he started recording, and with help from a lot of friends from other bands he completed the debut Cryogenesis. Like on the debut Jankees has also this time written a concept story who spins around a Talisman from the past. Beside doing the production and recording, Jankees, plays bass guitar, bass pedals, synthesizer, keyboards and some guitar. Beside himself we find nine musicians involved in the project: on vocals we have Michael Hos, Esther Ladiges, Maaike Breijman and Gerton Leijdekker. Gerton also plays most of the guitars, Emile Boellaard drums, Martijn Bos, Grand Piano and Spinet. Linde Faber,Cello, Peter Boer, Double Bass and Stick. Gerben Klazinga, Hammond.

To start with the music on Talisman, I will say it is a blend of many different genres, but with the deepest roots in neo-progressive and symphonic rock, or call it a rock opera if you like. I wrote a review of Cryogenesis some years ago and got very excited over the work and I have had much fun with that album since then. Now with Talisman I get the same excitement as with the debut. The music, the production, the story line and everything is well arranged and produced, and lately the album has spinned many, many times in the player. From the eight and a half minute long opener, The Crimson Puppeter, it`s just to sit back and relax to a landscape of very fine written music with high quality instrumental performances from the different musicians and singers. The song takes us through many different parts, but with a great main melody that comes back throughout the song. It continues with Legend, a bit dark song where I get a feel of many soldiers marching to some kind of battle. The next song Dawn, with Esther Ladiges on vocals, is one of my favorites. Partly a very dreamy song with beautiful vocals and instrumental performing. The song switches between the dreamy over to more symphonic progressive parts, you will also notice a very fine guitarsolo played by Gerton in the song! The Raven And The Stone is also among my favorites with beautiful melodic parts, the continuing story throughout the album that in this song tells about King Arthur, who was under the influence of this evil talisman, and only Excalibur and the Holy Grail could prevent him from doing more damage. The Talisman takes Arthur with him to the grave and waits there for better times. In the short instrumental Redemption, we hear the talisman escape from a cellar where he was secured for centuries. The Abyss is a ten minute long song who musically presents us to many of the different sides and styles from Ixion, from the beautiful to the dreamy, dark, nice instrumental parts and great vocals. Non Nobis is in a way one of the most commercial songs, an easy melody and melodic vocals by Michael, plus some fine choir will get your attention. At the same time the song switches much throughout, but the main melody will get stuck in your head. Sea Of Cortez is partly very progressive, but with dreamy parts with cello and classical guitar as the main instruments. The vocals by Maaike comes in after about three and a half minute. First with a storytelling-like voice who goes over to singing, a song who needs some rounds in the player, but who gradually grows stronger each time I listen to it. Prelude is a short, very fine instrumental with cello and spinet. The next song, Catherine, is in a way the ballad on the album except for an uptempo instrumental part, but for the most it`s a slow song with nice piano and cello arrangements and very fine singing by Esther. The last song, Talisman Revisited, with vocals by Maaike and Michael is also a slow, dark progressive song. All in all I find this album very interesting and entertaining, and for fans of neo-progressive and symphonic rock this album is a must-have!!! 95/100
Read my interview with Jankees Braam
http://www.ixion-music.com/

The Players:

Maaike Breijman - Vocals and Backing Vocals
Esther Ladiges - Vocals and Backing Vocals
Peter Boer - Stick and Double Bass
Emile Boellaard - Drums and Percussion
Gerton Leijdekker - Guitar, Vocals
Martijn Bos - Piano
Jankees Braam - Bass, Fretless bass, Moog Taurus, Keyboards, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Guitar, Programming
Linde Faber - Cello
Gerben klazinga - Hammond solo
Michael Hos - Vocals