At first glance Dutch prog rockers Splinter might be seen as a Spock’s Beard spin off. The music they play is obviously influenced by Neil Morse and company (the Splinter live set list even contains a couple of Spock’s Beard covers) but after listening to the three tracks on Reflections (the third is a bonus track) one must admit that the band definitely has their own sound. The band sounds fresh and is not shy from experimental melodies and some mad compositions. The song `Reflections`, nine minutes long, combines true progressive rock with beautiful Beatlesque intersections. The track sounds incredibly professional and gives you the impression that you’re listening to an experienced rock band.

`Twist Of Fate` is a six minute song with a more orchestral approach and is therefor a bit more atmospheric than `Reflections`. The bonus track `Above All Things` is a little bit of a disappointment compared to the two other tracks on the mini album. The song could be considered as an attempt to write a more popular song.
I know I’ve been praising Dutch progressive rock bands in the past and it’s hard to remain absolutely objective, but trust me; Splinter has the potential to succeed internationally. The CD can be bought directly from the band for 5 Euro or 6 Dollars, including shipping, at www.splinterprog.com