A few years ago I stumbled over an album I liked the look of. That was Starquake’s previous album Times that Matter – retro old fashioned prog/heavy platter harking back to the good old days. If you’d like to check that out – review here.
Now we have Starquake’s next offering – Time Space Matter. The band is Mikey Wenzel’s project. A bloke who, like me, misses they heyday of heavy/prog and even elements of NWOBHM here too.
Time Space Matter is an enjoyable romp through progginess featuring lots of swirling hammond organ, driving chunky riffs, solos which fit well and a throbbing bass/drum sound not unlike a mash up of period Uriah Heep/Deep Purple with some other influences apparent such as Rush, Yes, Jethro Tull and (for those who remember them from the NWOBHM early days) White Spirit.
Mikey isn’t afraid to stretch out into long, complicated arrangements such as A Never Give Up Suite (which tackles a difficult subject) and Goddammaddog with the folksy bits in there. Also Jack which is another ambitious piece of progressive hard rock al-la 1975 or so.
The opening (and title) track sets it up very well. The organ intro leading in to a fine retro-rocker which blasts away. Have a listen:
The aforementioned Goddammaddog comes next followed by Jack – a couple of long ones which show the versatility of the song writing and arrangements always retaining that retro-prog feel and “galloping” bass/riffage reminiscent of NWOBHM.
A Never Give Up Suite (seventeen minutes) is the album’s centrepiece – a sprawling epic – though if I have a gripe it’s that it’s the penultimate track and for me doesn’t quite sit right in that position.
The long cuts and interspersed with some short instrumental interludes such as Space and Off to Pastures New.
Mikey Wenzel is a man who wears his influences on his sleeve. For blokes like myself who grew up on 1790s/1980s heavy/prog/NWOBHM then Starquake is for you. Do check the band out. Time Space Matter more than worthy – and probably a little more instantly accessible from a listening perspective than their previous album.
>> STARQUAKE TIME SPACE MATTER ON AMAZON HERE <<
More about the band: http://starquake.de
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