Detailed Reviews [Parzivals Eye - 2015 - "Defragments"]

Prolusion. The German band PARZIVALS EYE was formed by multi-instrumentalist (basically bassist) Chris Postl a few years back, initially as a side venture from his endeavors in RPWL, unless I'm much mistaken. Postl left RPWL a year after the release of Parzivals Eye's debut album "Fragments", however, and it woould appear that Parzivals Eye is now his main band. "Defragments" is the combo’s second CD, and was released by the German label Gentle Art of Music in 2015.

Analysis. Progressive rock is a description that covers a widespread and vastly different array of music, the differences between the various artists, often placed in this genre, can be fairly dramatic. Parzivals Eye comes across as a band that, at least as of 2015, is placed somewhere in the outer regions of this universe, with a solid connection to a more melodic, mainstream-oriented variety of rock. The opening, epic-length composition on this CD is one that will delight many progressive rock fans. One of the few instances on this production where we have solid developments, multiple themes, and even a passage or two with a clear connection to if not vintage symphonic progressive rock then at least the neo progressive variety. Traces of bands like Starcastle, Yes and arguably even later day Caravan can be noted in the 12 or so minutes of this elegant, light-toned sophisticated art rock-oriented piece of pop art. Later on an elongated cinematic opening leads to one more composition with more of a typical progressive rock development, Walls in My Mind, this one with more of a folk-oriented style as the song itself opens, with some nice and atmospheric keyboards-driven passages towards the end of a kind fans of both RPWL and late ‘70s Pink Floyd will most likely recognize. Concluding piece Hiding Out also shares some of those characteristics, albeit without the more distinct folk-oriented details. The rest of this album is made up of material with stronger tied to what many progressive rock fans will describe as mainstream melodic rock: songs that are quite straightforward in nature, with few, if any, alterations in theme or pace, but with alterations in intensity and arrangement developments that still merit giving them a description as sophisticated. Fairly often they will start out with a careful acoustic guitars, piano and keyboard textures, combining with the lead vocals in a ballad-oriented manner, subtly and slowly developing into a more atmospheric construction with some distinct associations towards the likes of the aforementioned RPWL. Just how well this succeeds will obviously depend on the taste of the listener.

Conclusion. Well made and well performed melodic rock with some progressive intent, or perhaps progressive rock with a distinct mainstream, melodic rock orientation, is what Parzivals Eye provides us with their second album "Defragments". While I wouldn't expect die hard fans of a band like King Crimson to salivate over this album, those fond of Postl's previous band RPWL, their compatriots Sylvan and other artists of a similar nature would appear to be a key audience for this album, as would those who tend to enjoy elegant rock of the melodic variety.

OMB=Olav M Bjornsen: June 4, 2015
The Rating Room