Title - 'Origins: A Landmarq Anthology (1991-2014)'
Artist - Landmarq
As I'm sure you are well aware by now, given that you are reading this review, Landmarq are a UK-based neo-progressive rock band. Indeed, since forming in 1990, they have released eight (8) albums, three of which were recorded live at various concerts in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
Having basically established themselves within the world of progressive rock, though their style may also extend into album-oriented rock, melodic rock, hard rock and even a slightly jazz edge, Landmarq are now approaching their 25th anniversary in 2015. And so the band have decided to get everyone ready for that by releasing their first ever anthology. A two-disc compilation of some of the best of the band's work from 1991 to the present, it also contains four (4) live tracks.
Featuring two outstanding, multi-award-winning vocalists - Tracy Hitchings (1998-present) and Damian Wilson (1991-1995) - Origins: A Landmarq Anthology (1991-2014) separates the two singers' bounty of works accordingly. On the first CD,entttled The Tracy Years, we get a delightful mix of studio and live recordings from the band with Hitchings. dd to that a band new track, funnily enough entitled ‘Origins’ and, well, this first disc is hard to beat.
As you can only imagine, the new track 'Origins' was previously unreleased and actually written and recorded by the band especially for this release. Produced by Landmarq’s own multi-award-winning keyboard player and producer, Mike Varty, the 11-minute track brings the first disc to a close on a high.
The second CD, entitled The Damian Years includes long-time favorite tracks from Landmarq’s first three studio albums, all featuring the band's original singer, Damian Wilson. Himself now internationally acclaimed as a singer-songwriter and lead vocalist of Threshold, as well as for his work with Rick Wakeman's English Rock Ensemble, Headspace, Star One and Maiden uniteD, there are no live tracks BUT both 'Ta Jaiang' and 'Narovlya' are both musical monsters.
Disc One:
1. 'Science of Coincidence'<
2. 'Lighthouse'
3. 'Between Sleeping and Dreaming'
4. 'Tailspin (Let Go The Line)'
5. 'After I Died Somewhere'
6. 'Heritage'
7. 'Turbulence (Paradigm Shift)'
8. 'Personal Universe'
9. Origins (New Song)
Disc Two:
1. 'Killing Fields'
2. 'Forever Yong'
3. 'Borders'
4. 'Solitary Witness'
5. 'Ta Jiang'
6. 'Embrace'
7. 'Pinewood Avenue'
8. 'Narovlya'
9. 'Bed of Nails'
Origins: A Landmarq Anthology (1991-2014) is an incredible introduction to the band and their music for newcomers, but also a lovely way to followers of Landmarq - Uwe D'Rose - guitar (1990-present); Steve Gee - bass (1990-present); Tracy Hitchings - vocals (1995-present); Mike Varty - keyboards (2005-present); and Danny Martin - drums (2012-present) - to prepare themselves for next years 25th anniversary celebrations ... and all they will entail!
www.Landmarq.net
CD Purchase Link