RPWL – Beyond Man And Time (2012)

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In spite of their less-than-catchy name, Germans RPWL have been one of the most impressive and underrated modern prog bands out there in recent years.

Not only have RPWL often refuted that they are a ‘Progressive Rock’ act, but a few years back they actually went as far as to record the wonderfully tongue in cheek track ‘This Is Not A Prog Song’ to emphasize the point, albeit in a none to serious manner.

However with their new studio effort (the fifth), “Beyond Man And Time”, RPWL have finally taken the plunge and recorded a concept album, with lengthy musical meanderings and beautiful soundscapes with classy melodies.

So let’s get one thing straight right from the off. This is Prog. Admittedly Prog with a strong fixation on melody and more readily accessible than much caught under this genre umbrella, but it is Prog and no doubt about it.

More importantly than any genre tagging triviality, RPWL have slowly built a reputation as an act capable of writing beguiling, slightly melancholic songs that contain the unmistakable, understated vocals of Yogi Lang, the singing guitar work of Kalle Wallner, punchy drumming from Marc Turiaux and sumptuous keyboard swathes courtesy of Markus Jehle.

The concept behind “Beyond Man And Time” is one loosely based on Nietzsche’s opus magnum ‘Thus Spoke Zarathustra’, which includes the line ‘6,000 feet beyond man and time’. The main protagonist of that book takes a lengthy journey which allows him to meet numerous characters who give an insight into ways of thinking.

Musically the album finds RPWL expanding upon the themes and ideas which have served them so well throughout their releases, with atmospheric passages fighting for supremacy with more focused and song based sections that allow easy accessibility to the songs.

Almost always compared to Pink Floyd, this new album still finds those latter day Gilmour era trademarks strongly in effect (mainly through the guitar tone and the way the notes are held for lengthy periods of time), as are references towards Hogarth era Marillion and some Genesis.

However in truth after four ever improving albums, RPWL have created a sound identifiable as their own and with “Beyond Man And Time”, they have also hit their stride in quite remarkable fashion.

The album opens with the track “Transformed”, a short instrumental with mysterious keyboard sounds, percussion and some Indian sitar, followed by the strongly Genesis – Peter Gabriel inflected “We Are What We Are”.

Both tracks illustrates perfectly why this band is so irresistible. The slow, atmospherically sparse arrangement builds into a synth, vocal and clicking percussion motif, before a jagged guitar and bass line kick in. However the burst of melodic light that cascades from the speakers for what forms a loose chorus is a simply glorious and masterfully handled release of pressure.

“Unchain The Mind” begins life in a similar manner, but with more of leaning towards latter day Marillion. Subtle keyboard layers soothe as a steely guitar line adds an air of foreboding.

Add to that the introspective chugalong of “The Shadow”, the Rush and Genesis-isms of “The Ugliest Man In The World” and the sprawling and fittingly epic sixteen minutes of “The Fisherman”, and RPWL really have created an album of an incredible depth.

“Beyond Man And Time” is a fascinating prog album full of refinements.

You can hear many influences, but the melodies and songwriting are strong enough to make RPWL stand out on their own as a distinct band and sound.

It is great to hear a band in prog that can pull off memorable, beautiful melodies in their music while staying true to the ambitious nine minute format. Although Floydian guitars and Yogi Lang’s warm, mellow vocals are the staple for RPWL’s style, there is a thick electronic presence here that gives the music an interesting complimentary layer for the excellent production.

“Beyond Man And Time” is brimful of atmospheric and melodic moments, straight compositions, smooth vocals, playful keys and guitar – finally I won’t miss to mention the very solid rhythm branch.

This is arguably RPWL’s best album to date – and so far one of the best in Prog this year – a near masterpiece that showcases their brooding, modern sound, with intelligent songwriting and captivating classic melodies.

Recommended.

1. Transformed

2. We Are What We Are [The Keeper]

3. Beyond Man And Time [The Blind]

4. Unchain The Earth [The Scientist]

5. The Ugliest Man In The World [The Ugly]

6. The Road Of Creation [The Creator]

7. Somewhere In Between [The Dream Of Saying Yes]

8. The Shadow

9. The Wise In The Desert

10. The Fisherman

11. The Noon [The Eternal Moment Of Return]

– Yogi Lang / vocals, keyboards

– Kalle Wallner / guitars

– Markus Jehle / keyboards

– Werner Taus / bass

– Marc Turiaux / drums

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