Ricocher

Friday, 09 May 2008

Members:

Erwin Boerenkamps
Bart Van Helmond
John Van Heugten
Maikel Van Der Meer
Niels Nijssen

Country: Germany

Biography:

This Dutch progrock band was rooted in the schoolband Frontline. In ’93 most members of that band founded the cover band TRUSS. Their decision to write own compositions in the neo-progressive rock tradition led to the demo-tape "A Scream For Help". When the guitarist left, newcomer Bart van Helmond completed the current line-up with Erwin Boerenkamps (vocals), John van Heugten (keyboards), Maikel van der Meer (drums) and Niels Nijssen (bass). These musicians delivered the acclaimed mini-CD "Quest For The Heartland" (2000), Martin ORFORD from IQ named it one of the best progrock CD’s in the last years! RICOCHER shared bills with SAGA and ARENA and in 2001 the band was awarded as Best New Band by The Classic Rock Society. The next year RICOCHER released their second album entitled "Cathedral of Emotions", a fine progrock album with strong hints from the neo-prog masters (mainly PENDRAGON but also MARILLION).

On their new album "Cathedral of Emotions" it’s obvious that RICOCHER has made progress: the melodic compositions sound more mature and symphonic, thanks to the keyboardplay from John van Heugten (often in the vein of Clive NOLAN). The guitar has a rocky edge (some beautiful sensitive solos with echoes from Nick BARRETT and Steve ROTHERY) and the vocals sound convincing. This band has the potential of other Dutch progrock bands like FLAMBOROUGH HEAD, PLACKBAND and ODYSSICE, I hope they will continue to develop this promising way and sound less like a PENDRAGON or MARILLION wannabee.

Discography:

Cathedral Of Emotions

Tracks:

01- Haunted By Dreams
02- Child Inside
03- Ideals
04- Cathedral Of Emotions
05- Painting
06- Fugitive
07- Live Your Life
08- Out Of Hands
09- Mask Of Illusions

Chains

Tracks:

1. Virtual Images
i) Empty Chambers
ii) Beyond Terms of Humanity
iii) Out of Control
2. Bitter Tears
3. Sand In Your Eyes
i) Perception
ii) Reflected
iii) The Silhouette of You
4. Whispering Voices
5. Locked Inside
i) Misguided Lights
ii) Question Within The Answer
6. Point of No Return
7. Breaking The Chain

Quest For The Heartland

Tracks:

1. The Code (5:11)
2. Life In Your Mind (5:25)
3. Your Pride (3:18)
4. Quest For The Heartland (8:03)

Band official website: www.ricocher.com

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