Lana Lane - Secrets of Astrology Reviews

LANA LANE - SECRETS OF ASTROLOGY

REVIEWS

"The opener alone just puts every other rock and prog act in the shade -- an intro that most bands would kill to produce as a hail of synths, guitars, bass, drums and wordless female vocal choruses surge from the speakers. Then, without a break, it's into the main body of the song and here the flawless vocals of LL ring out as the song begins, a massive arrangement with harmonies that stretch to forever, a lead vocal that's so pure and so strong, while the band play as thought their lives depended on it, giving one of the most massive real prog soundscapes that you'll hear, putting everything else in the shade. It rocks like a demon, but it's pure prog. Just over half way through it suddenly winds down to almost Beatles-esque arrangements of synths sounding like flutes/mellotron, with the dynamic vocal flowing along on top as the pace subsides but the emotion continues to build. Then, out of nowhere, a guitar solo erupts into action and the piece takes off with a vengeance as wailing synth and steaming guitar just leave you wide-eyed and jaw-dropped in amazement at the sheer spectacle unfolding before you‚ and you're only on track two, remember. It's a seventy two minute album so get strapped in because it's clearly going to be the trip of a lifetime. It does not disappoint. Throughout the album, every song, every facet of every arrangement is nothing short of incredible, the song-writing, vocalizing and playing guaranteed to ensure this album will be on your player for years.

Track three is a gorgeous ballad wrapped up in some neat prog-rock dynamics, the sort of thing an AOR band would drown in, but here they keep things restrained, crisp and dynamic for the first couple of minutes until the synths, guitars, multi-tracked harmonies and the superb sounding rhythm section all steam in to take the track up a notch on the intensity stakes, as a guitar solo scorches in and takes you even higher From there on, the band take you into songs and arrangements that are full of emotional intensity, prog-rock splendors, warmth, depth and some of the finest singing ever to grace as solid, flowing and consistent an album as this. The instrumental work on the entire album is absolutely amazing with synths, guitars and keyboards work of the highest caliber, and the production is second to none.

This album is all about the dynamics of tension, building, power, layering and arranging, and on that score, it's faultless. It's also about class song-writing, excellent lyrics and the best female voice in rock, prog, or practically anything else around these days. Every track is a gem, and whether your tastes are prog, rock AOR or similar, you just have to get this album - it'll be among your top five of the year, for sure. If there's any justice, this will be THE BIG album, so just remember who told you first -- trust us."
[Andy Garibaldi, CD Services, Scotland, May 2000]

"For those who have followed Lana Lane's career over the past four studio albums, 2 EP's, one live album, a ballad collection and a Best Of..., it must come as a mystery that she isn't known as the Queen of Rock! She has one of the most potent voices of prog-metal (if we have to try and be specific) today, and I honesty cannot think of a poor track, let alone album, that she has released to date. Lana herself points alot of credit towards her partner in music, Erik Norlander, and why not? They do seem to be a great team. This latest solo album continues the great work with some power packed material standing along side the beauty of songs like 'Alexandria' and 'Under the Sun'. The incredibly skillful Dutchman, Arjen Lucassen, is an addition this time on guitar as Lana attempts to make the final package a little different. Norlander is the master of orchestration and 'The Bell' starts out with such, as Lana settles into ballad mode - just another aspect that she is so very good at. This gentle stroll is followed by the mighty metal pace of 'Speed of Sound' - appropriately titled. The twelve tracks average out around five or six minutes a track and the bonus of 'Rhapsody' resulting in almost 73 minutes of blinding symphonic rock. When you have one of the planets best female voices fronting the work of a master keyboard player, the majesty of a Euro guitar hero and all the trappings that go along with that, the final picture is one of glorious gripping rock that deserves a much wider recognition. In the meantime, the CRS is happy to keep Lana Lane all to themselves!"

[Martin Hudson, Wondrous Stories, England, May 2000]

"Although we find some new artists working with Lana Lane on her new record "Secrets Of Astrology", their true impact on the music is subtle. Her title of "Queen Of Symphonic Rock" is absolutely correct. She is still playing her typical mix of harder mainstream rock with progressive and epic influences. The record is never boring, and the songs cover a wide range from symphonic ballads to melodic speed metal. Her earlier records are great too, but "Secrets Of Astrology" is Lana Lanes best work to date."

[Renald Mienert, D.U.R.P. website, Germany, April 2000]

"Before I start the review I want to be honest with you. This is my very first contact with the American goddess Lana Lane and her angelic voice. I never believed that I would be able to listen to an Angel's voice before I die but I was wrong. Lane Lane's music is not metal or pure hard rock. It's symphonic melodic (hard sometimes) rock which is in my opinion a great break between your "hard" and "heavy" listening. Lana Lane is not a newcomer. Lana is into the music system since 1995 but I have to admit that many friends of mine into metal and into music in general didn't know her at all. That's of course not because Lana is not good or something. She is pretty well-known in Asia (especially in Japan, I think there she is goddess) and in the rest of the world. In Europe in my opinion she has not earned the fame she deserves.

As I said before the music label (even if I hate labels) of this album and her music in general is Symphonic melodic (hard) rock with her amazing voice playing the main part. On this album Lana worked with some European musicians -as her biography says- in order to add some fresh elements to her music. Lana's main co-musician (and producer) is Erik Norlander. I personally don't know the name but he is a great progressive rock keyboardist and his playing on "Secrets of Astronomy" makes this album something really special. Other musicians who played on this album are: Arjen Anthony Lucassen (ex-Vengence), Tony Fraklin, David Victor and Ed Warby. It is even worth getting this album only to enjoy Lana's angelic voice; the music is also great and it fits excellent with the vocals. It's very hard to describe to you what I feel every time I listen to her voice. I feel full of passion, sorrow, power and energy.

Her vocal abilities are limitless. For Lana is very easy to sing a single word and touch your heart. She's just a "witch". I recommend you this album even if you like extreme metal. We all need to relax sometimes. It's an album for every person who loves good music. We all need a voice like Lana's in our lives. I'm charmed and I can't escape. What about you?"

[Sweet-Suffering website, Germany, June 2000]

"Lana Lane is back... with a new album as fresh as it gets, co written and produced by Erik Norlander of course. This time, these two music lovers have really shown what true song writing is all about, and how to build up a great concept over progerssive rock/metal songs.

The voice of Lana is among the best I've ever heard when it comes to female vocals. She is even very close to old Heart vocalist Ann Wilson, and often with the same type of approach to singing and attitude. Lana proves on her album that she has a perfect ability to hit notes, which I think is very important being a progressive rock singer. The power and dynamics is not even faded away on higer pitching notes, but instead even mightier. This is what female vocals is all about!!

SInce I can't even find one single bad tune, the songs of this album seems to be really good I tell you, since I've finally opened up my eyes for this artist. I've previously listened to some other albums from Lana, but with this release I can now say that she's one of my favorite singers. I'll go back in time and do some digging in ancient discography history.

An intresting detail is that Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon) is featured as guest musician providing guitars in all kinds of forms. And both Lana and Norlander ha of course worked with Arjen on his previous work. Seems to be a great team! Get this one!!"

[More Than Music website, Sweden, June 2000]