It’s not hard to figure out what Kartagen intended with their new album “Continiun”. Create a classic progressive/symphonic rock album that sounds original, yet touches the sound of the mayor bands in the scene. Characteristic are the atmospheric keyboards, the use of flute, and the well thought of compositions. There are pieces of Jethro Tull, early Genesis, Camel (these guys have listened to “Nude” on more than one occasion) en Marillion to name just a few. Usually the attempt to recreate what some of these bands did in the old days results in very predictable songs and albums. Kartagen however surprises by escaping the dogma’s of the scene and coming up with an own distinctive sound that truly pleases the ears.

What I personally like is the gentile way in which the listener is being taken through each song. There are many changes in tempo and atmosphere, but all is put together so cleverly that each and every track captures the listerens attention. As with many Unicorn Digital releases, the emphasis lies on the music and not on the vocals (there are only few). If you like the stuff that Camel (although here the dominance of guitar has shifted to keyboard/piano) released in the eighties and if you’re not too much into the more heavy stuff, “Continium” is definitely worth checking out.