Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Knight Area
Label: Laser's Edge
Release: 2014
Length: 52:23
Rating: 4.5/5
»Hyperdrive« is the fifth studio album from Dutch neo-prog rockers Knight Area, and the follow-up to the superb »Nine Paths« (2011). Knight Area are a relatively overlooked band. Neo-prog gourmets have long rated them, but on the wider music scene they’re still fairly obscure, which probably suits them to some extent. »Hyperdrive« mostly carries on the successful stylistic recipe of their earlier efforts: razor-sharp guitar passages that mostly hover on the edge of progressive metal, shimmering eighties-inspired synth structures, and a hellish rhythm section with plenty of dynamic time changes. At the same time, the new album brings some changes that longtime fans will spot quickly. Knight Area are as punchy as they are melodic, and they don’t stray from that, so don’t expect any over-the-top experimentation with avant-garde improvisational detours. What you do get is a band that’s very easy to fall in love with thanks to its accessibility and melodies, and on »Hyperdrive«, which has the most hard rock, metal and AOR elements in their history so far, they’ve polished that even further.
Mark Smit, who this time played piano on the perfectly executed ‘Queen-esque’ track »Songs From the Past«, is once again in excellent vocal form, maybe even the best of his career. His epic singing style, which is slightly reminiscent of Andy Kuntz (Van Den Plas), shines in all its glory already on the opening energy catalyst »Afraid of the Dark«, which also features a passionate guitar solo from the tireless virtuoso Mark Bogert. Keyboardist Gerben Klazinga, meanwhile, once again makes no secret of having learned how to build synth textures in the manner of eighties British neo-prog, and how to combine them effectively with modern ideas and production. Knight Area almost always find just the right balance between guitar and keyboard harmonies, which you can hear perfectly on tracks like the melodic, bombastic »Avenue of Broken Dreams« with its soaring chorus and layered vocals.
Following the usual Knight Area tradition, most of the tracks on »Hyperdrive« have a dark atmosphere, while the lyrics are more or less steeped in social criticism of modern civilization. In some respects Knight Area occasionally recall British neo-prog champions Arena, whom they supported the following year, but for the most part they sound completely like themselves. The guitar solo on »Stepping Out« was played by special guest Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Ayreon, Star One), which will surely do at least a little something for the band’s profile. All the tracks on the album are very well balanced and offer a range of interesting contrasts in mood. »Crimson Skies«, for instance, is almost closer to power metal than neo-prog, while on the other tracks Knight Area toy with all sorts of hard rock, synth-pop and AOR flavors. The AOR elements are especially noticeable on the three-minute »Running Away«. The high point of »Hyperdrive« can be said to be the closing epic »Hypnotised«, which stands up against the best things they’ve done in the past.
On »Hyperdrive« Knight Area have once again shown how to make uncompromising neo-progressive rock with smartly constructed arrangements and an epic atmosphere, which fans of cult bands like Arena, IQ, early Marillion, Pendragon and Pallas will enjoy the most, along with some prog metal fans led by Dream Theater. This time Knight Area have moved into a somewhat more accessible territory, with more hard rock and AOR elements, which might even win them a new fan or two who don’t normally swear by prog but have broad musical tastes and don’t sweat the borders between genres.
Line-up
Mark Smit – vocals
Gerben Klazinga – keyboards
Pieter van Hoorn – drums
Peter Vink – bass guitar and Taurus pedals
Mark Bogert – guitar
GUEST MUSICIAN:
Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Ayreon, Stream of Passion, Star One) – guitar on “Stepping Out”
Production
Gerben Klazinga
Track list
1. Afraid of the Dark (5:44)
2. The Lost World (5:16)
3. Bubble (4:57)
4. This Day (4:43)
5. Crimson Skies (4:10)
6. Avenue of Broken Dreams (4:31)
7. Living in Confusion (5:31)
8. Stepping Out (3:21)
9. Running Away (2:56)
10. Songs from the Past (3:35)
11. Hypnotized (7:39)
