Review by Henri Strik for Background Magazine

Several years ago I heard a demo from a project which had the name Ixion. I found it very strong neo progressive rock music. I certainly wanted to hear more of this kind of music. But since I did hear that track on a Dutch progressive radio show it became very silent. What had become of this project I asked myself. Until lately I saw some articles in magazines and on the internet. It seemed to be the same project. But when I received a promo copy of "CryoGenesis" made by Ixion I came to the conclusion that it was the same project. After all those years nobody wanted to release this kind of music and it became a private release. For me unbelievable. It's just a crying shame that nobody dared to put this music on CD. They probably might have thought that no one would loved it and no money could be made out of it. Therefore all my sympathy goes to Jankees Braam (bass, bass pedals, keyboards and voices) who finally released it himself. Bravo! But why am I so positive about this project.? Well this concept album about an ill woman who thinks that she can be cured 500 years later contains great neo progressive rock music with elements from the golden years of prog. This mix reminded me of bands such as Renaissance, Marillion, Yes, Arena, Kayak and Pink Floyd.

The idea of this concept album came in 1999 after Jankees and his wife watched a TV program about CryoGenesis. The meaning of the word tells the story in a nut shell. "To be born again from the ice". At the time Jankees played in the Dutch prog band Sangamo (which also included Gerben Klazinga who made the Knight Area CD). With those musician he wanted to record the songs he had written about this concept. The band unfortunately split up. But the musicians still wanted to help to get his dream into reality. Together with members and friends of two other Dutch bands (Entropy and S.OT.E) he finally finished the recordings and released "CryoGenesis". Still named Ixion. Nine tracks tell the story about this ill woman who thinks that she can be cured when the doctors have more information about her diseas. So her body will be frozen and 500 years later she will be revived. The lyrics inside the booklet tells the whole story in details. A fantastic soundtrack comes along with it. I will not discribe every track separately but you got to blieve me that it is worth listening. It is a musical journey you have to take. Responsable for this musical journey are seven musicians and four lead singers. Two male and two female. I can only say that all involved did an amazing job.

If the music on "Talisman", the next Ixion project, will be of the same high level as on "CryoGenesis" only time will tell. Hopefully a real record company is willing to release it. Because the music of Jankees Braam deserves it.

rating 4/5 (Henri Strik)