FEATURED CD-Morphelia-Waken the Nightmare

**Poisoned Youth** · 09-06-2013

Today's feature suggestion comes from emperorken...

Review from ProgArchives (Marty McFly):

Oh hi, let me introduce you to just another neo-prog from Germany (no insult taken please, I could easily said the same thing with other bands, something like "let me introduce you to another prog from UK"). But here I see strong chance of compare it with Martigan and others. Unfortunately, I don't want to pursue this path of compare everything with anything else, so let's focus just on music, shall we ?

Pleasant, forgiving, melodic, promising and giving. Feeling of fresh originality is always pleasant and I seek it more and more music I know, love and own. Not necessarily being experimental, just sounding new, or using sound patterns in new way. And this double CD monster, with its interesting lyrics (In the Captain's Room for example). And I don't care what exactly makes this music good, that's for you to find out, but I just enjoy that it works. A lot.

In fact, I hesitate between two best ratings at the moment to be honest. So first CD is perfect, there's little room to negative things, but second one is big mystery for me.

5(-), the answer (to the eternal question of life, universe and everything) is that their last stands is worth of masterpiece rating. Bring it on, more shine for this mildly dark band.

**Guess Who** · 09-06-2013

For me, it's simply the best progressive album of 2009.

**Just Eric** · 09-06-2013

Very clearly not my cup of tea, however I am thrilled that we are seeing lesser known featured albums! Keep it up!

**Guess Who** · 09-06-2013

Originally Posted by Just Eric

lesser known featured albums!

Lesser known... By whom? Even PW site have this article.

http://www.progressiveworld.net/html...ontent&id=4809

**Just Eric** · 09-06-2013

By many judging from the number of responses here. Either way you say it, not as popular, under the radar, less publicized, etc. the Featured Album works best when it turns people onto something they may not have heard already, not when it is an album we all have or have heard.

**wideopenears** · 09-06-2013

Never heard of it. I love the cover! But I think it's not my thing....and the words "mildly dark" make me laugh.

**Magic Mountain** · 09-06-2013

The is a very good neo-prog album. Sounds somewhat similar to Pendragon, and IQ. They caught lightning in a bottle with this one, as it is a huge step up from their earlier material (IMO).

**bobert** · 09-06-2013

I bought Waken The Nightmare a few years back and I like it a lot. I was grateful when I was turned on to it by another PE member. Truly a quality release across the board , from the band themselves through the production which I think is really good to the cover itself which is also very nice, kind of a higher quality digi pack , complete with a nice booklet and and artwork.

If you like neo you will probably like this one.

**Alexander** · 09-06-2013

Great album and then they disappeared...............

**PotatoSolution** · 09-06-2013

I haven't heard this before, but I'm digging it!

The audio quality is a bit blah, though. Is that just because it's a YouTube, or does the actual CD sound better?

**Poisoned Youth** · 09-06-2013

Originally Posted by Just Eric

By many judging from the number of responses here. Either way you say it, not as popular, under the radar, less publicized, etc. the Featured Album works best when it turns people onto something they may not have heard already, not when it is an album we all have or have heard.

Yeah. I remember when this album came out, but completely forgot about it until I saw the suggestion. I couldn't remember a thing about it actually.

But yes, I'd say this qualifies as lesser known (or completely forgotten) if I used PA and YouTube as an indicator. On PA, only 2 reviews. On YouTube just this one clip of the album. That's by no means an exact science, but I DO post the features here and for a newer release, that's fairly low.

**mellotron storm** · 09-06-2013

Wow they really do sound like IQ once he starts singing after the lengthy intro. I never heard of these guys until now. I like it enough to put it on a list. I wonder how good their debut was ? A 72 minute cd from 6 years earlier. This one is a double cd at almost 2 hours apparently.

**Digital_Man** · 09-06-2013

It's all relative folks. On here and in prog circles this cd might be considered obscure but let's face it, a band like Glass Hammer or the Flower Kings would be considered obscure to most non prog fans.

Anyway, I quite liked this clip also and like MS I put it on a list.

**Progatron** · 09-07-2013

Have never heard this one. Bravo Featured Album!

**bobert** · 09-07-2013

Originally Posted by PotatoSolution

The audio quality is a bit blah, though. Is that just because it's a YouTube, or does the actual CD sound better?

The audio quality is very good when listening to the cd.

**emperorken** · 09-08-2013

Wow, I just got back from 5 days in Cabo and just realized this was posted. Thanks.

This was my #1 album from 2009. It is certainly not easy coming up with 2 hours of fresh neo prog in a concept album, but the band really pulled it off. The first disc has more of the heavy guitars, while the second disc has 2 of the finest neo-prog epics of recent memory, "In the Hall of Stormy Oceans", and "The End is the Beginning of the End". I think the compositions and the playing are excellent with many memorable melodies. Just a great release.

BTW, it is my understanding that the band IS working on a new album. Certainly looking forward to it.

**Progatron** · 09-18-2013

I ordered this from the band's website last week and I've already got it in my hands. Chalk up another sale thanks to PE!

**Progatron** · 10-02-2013

Been seriously enjoying this one. Disc two in particular is just outstanding stuff. Up there with Comedy Of Errors. Love it! Thanks again for this suggestion, I may have to check out their first album as well!

**Teal** · 10-02-2013

Excellent album but when will we see a new release?

**emperorken** · 10-03-2013

Originally Posted by Progatron

Been seriously enjoying this one. Disc two in particular is just outstanding stuff. Up there with Comedy Of Errors. Love it! Thanks again for this suggestion, I may have to check out their first album as well!

It's all good, but I agree about disc 2. I have their first cd also and it is a fine debut. Not nearly as good as this one, though.

Originally Posted by Teal

Excellent album but when will we see a new release?

According to their website they are working on a new album. Hopefully sooner than later.

http://www.morphelia.de/en