After the Symphonic debacle of the late 70's and a bit more than a decade of a different approach to Progressive Rock called Neo Prog, Symphonic movement started to resurrect but this time not in UK or in the most faithful country to the classical sound as Italy, it was in Scandinavia and more specifically in the cold Sweden.
Bands like ANGLAGARD and THE FLOWER KINGS re-created the original spirit of the early 70's with great perfection and extreme care but people rarely mention PÄR LINDH PROJECT, not only one of the main re-creators of the early style but a band that went back in history for the search of their roots, most precisely to the late Gothic Religious music of the XII and XIV Centuries with his dark haunting organ solos without forgetting the sober influence of the Baroque period.
But that's not enough, the natural leader of the band is also one of the main responsible of this new Symphonic Renaissance, being that in 1991, before the re-birth of Symphonic Prog sub-genre, a group of friends formed The Art Rock Society with the virtuoso multi instrumentalist Pär Lindh as chairman who presented the first Festival with ANEKDOTEN, LANDBERK and ANGLAGARD.
The personal musical career of Par Lindh goes way back to 1977 when he formed the Heavy/Hard Rock band ANTENNA BAROQUE and later in 1979 the Symphonic Trio VINCEBUS EREPTUM, but it was obvious that the peak of the genre was behind so he spent the next years as church organist, classical pianist, harpsichordist, drummer, Hammond organist, and even jazz musician with extreme success but leaving oin Par a great nostalgia for his beloved Prog.
In 1989 he returns to Sweden decided to resurrect the Symphonic early spirit and joins a band called MANTICORE, after a while he builds his own studio CRIMSONIAN LABEL and in 1994 with a Swedish dream team of ANGLAGARD, FLOWER KINGS, BJORN JOHANSON and other talented musicians, he releases the first PÄR LINDH PROJECT masterpiece called "Gothic Impressions" in 1994.
This album is really revolutionary not only for the impressive lineup but also because the music was deepest, darker and even more pompous than in the early years of Prog, not only a return to the roots but a total re-creation of the genre, the 20 minutes epic "The Cathedral" is one of the most amazing musical pieces I ever had the luck to listen and still find something new each time I give a new listen.
PÄR LINDH PROJECT has released 5 albums until 2002 with "Live in Iceland" and different members being the most usual Magdalena Hagberg (Vocals, Keyboards and Violin) who is present in every one, Jocke Ramsell and John Hermansen (Guitar), Jonas Reingold in the bass and many other talented musicians.
The bands new lineup since 2006 consists of Par Lindh (Keyboards), William Kopecky (Bass), Svetlan Raket (Drums) and Al Lewis (Vocals). The band is currently in the studio and the new CD will be released in March 2010.
These kind of musicians, who despite the passing of time have remained faithful to their roots and are willing to give everything in order to save Progressive Rock from extinction.
Iván Melgar Morey - Perú
Source : http://www.progarchives.com
