Eyes of the Living Night is not fundamentally prog, but has all the characteristics that appeal to this post-Genesis-Jethro Tull-Peter Hammill audience and other fans of elongated rock song forms, theatricalized to perfection by their authors, composers and performers. Jonathan Hultén’s face is covered in black and white when he plays his stage or video persona, and his medieval sorcerer’s or living wraith’s garb adds to the effect of his not-so-progressive songs. In fact, the designer’s look is more formidable than his music. Melodic lines are tonal, rhythms remain relatively simple, guitars and keyboards produce chords that conform to the classical harmonic system and exclude any instrumental acrobatics. Jonathan Hultén is a powerful singer with a baritone tessitura and a slightly gravelly finish, who essentially makes pop slightly adapted to the advances of today’s lutherie. Pop with accents of prog, grunge (in the bridges) or dream pop. This album was recorded at Stockholm’s Chanting Studios and co-produced with Ola Ersfjord (Lady Blackbird/Tribulation/Monolord). These songs explore the human spirit, what simmers in our minds, our supernatural fantasies, our dreams, our past, our personal paths to travel, our shadows and our lights.
