Recensie by Ton Veldhuis for ProgWereld (translated from Dutch)

Being very ill, having yourself frozen, laying untouched for 500 years and then to be revived through a complicated process, because the possibilities exist to be completely cured. This seems like a scenario way in the future, but what if it possible? How would it influence that person?

Not a very easy subject to use for a concept-CD, but the story that told in the lyrics, luckily not unnecessary complicated, fascinates me. The re-awaking however would be doomed to fail if it was not accompanied by the proper musical setting. This is however very solid and could slightly be compared with Knight Area, not in the least because Gerben Klazinga contributes to this musical landscape. Lets hope that this keyboard wizard will never grow tired from making music, because what he shares with his listeners is graved in emotion. Besides this link, you can hear echo’s of Marillion, IQ and Everon.

Axis in this adventure is Jankees Braam, who wrote this sympho-opera, originally intended for the band Sangamo and released the album on his own, on an in depended basis. Fortunately these people still exist and show that they care for their music. Braam thought the concept, wrote the music and the lyrics. Together with above mentioned band, members from S.O.T.E. and friends he managed to create a well listen album from ‘CryoGenesis’, without being the highlight that Knight Area’s debut is.

No raving guitars or bombastic keyboards are used to open the album. This honour goes to the piano that, after a part suitable for Camel, puts the listener on the wrong track, because after a minute and a half into the opening song The Gamble the song changes direction in a mean but painless manner with a symphonic but heavy Dream Theater. It is only a short sting, that however keeps occurring regularly, but always can be categorized as symfo.

To be honest, the vocals did not convince me immediately, but they can not be judged in a too hurried manner and they grow on you when you have listened to the album more than once. I can’t help the feeling that I miss spirit in the female vocals and thus it lacks the correct expression on some moments. It is all a bit to reserved and with such an emotional story you should hear the passion! Fortunately the music is diverse and varied, personally I think that is the strength in ‘CryoGenesis’. Also there are enough exciting guitar- and keyboard solo’s embedded in the music. And a warm welcome to the bas pedals. A true delight to listen to. A bit boring are the spoken section, that are not completely free from accent. In The Mould there is a piece at the end of the song that reminds me of the beginning of Ayreon’s ‘The Dreamsequencer’. Here the dialogue is convincing and the tension is tangible.

In my opinion one of the strongest songs is Syndrome. It has a strong opening with a catchy theme, after which the drive drops from the song and the fretless bass has the opportunity to hum along with the vocals. Again the . Especially the (too) short duel between guitar and keyboards is gentle caress for my ears. Together with To Choose Again and the long The Sleep (the intro reminds me of At Home In The Mire by Clive Nolan & Oliver Wakeman "The Hound Of The Baskervilles" album) they make the second half of the cd is the best part.

If you have a weak spot for symfo with a lot of room for solo’s than you don’t have to look abroad. Also in The Netherlands is enough talent. ‘CryoGenesis’ will not break any sales records, but definitely deserves attention from any symfo –lover. Especially the bass-guitar, the keyboards and guitar parts stand out . Fortunately this is not the end of this book. The next chapter is entitled ‘Talisman’. At least I am looking forward to it!