Musical Style: Progressive Rock	Produced By: Linus Kase & Per Hallman
Record Label: Rivel	Country Of Origin: Sweden
Year Released: 2005	Artist Website:
Tracks: 6	Rating: 85%
Running Time: 47:08

Turn of the century found veteran vocalist Christian Rivel (currently sporting the last name Liljegren) to be every bit busy as he is versatile.  He got his start in a neo-classical power metal vein with his main band Narnia and its 2001 third album Desert Land prior to following up in a similar direction with fourth and fifth The Great Fall and Enter The Gate from 2003 and 2006, respectively.  Artist transitioned to melodic metal for the 2001 self-titled first and only Wisdom Call album and 2005 debut The Calling from Audiovision only to branch out into a joining of the melodic and extreme for a pair of 2005 releases with Divinefire, Glory Thy Name (January) and Hero (November).  Finally, Rivel explored progressive rock with Flagship and its aptly entitled Rivel Records 2005 debut full length Maiden Voyage.

Flagship represents a collaborating between Rivel and keyboardist Linus Kase (Brighteye Brison), with Kase acting as primary songwriter while co-producing the album alongside Per Hallman (Stormwind, Wisdom Call).  As always, Rivel capably handles vocals with his earthy but melodic mid-ranged vocal abilities in addition to contributing majority of the Maiden Voyage lyrics.  Rounding out the project is guitarist Carl Johan Grimmark (Narnia) in addition to bassist Kristofer Eng (Brighteye Bison) and drummer Mick Nordström (Modest Attraction).

Flagship brings to the table progressive rock with symphonic and classic rock tendencies.  Accurate comparison might be early Kansas (think Song For America & Masque) in that the Maiden Voyage material is lengthy, highly complex and richly orchestrated.  Although not inviting direct comparison, you can hear influences of Yes and Rush not to mention Styx and Queen in the Flagship songwriting.  Neal Morse solo material and side projects (NMB, Resonance, etc) are others points of reference as are heavier progressive bands Dream Theater, Shadow Gallery and Affector, although Flagship is by no means metal or hard rock.

Album opens to seven and half minute “Heart Is The Center”.  As is common to the progressive genre, song is home to its share of time and tempo changes beginning with the fusion like extended instrumental opening that gives way to the Hammond B3 propelled verse sections and refrain enriched by lush vocal melodies.  At moments notice song jump starts to a forthwith instrumental aligning of organ and jazzy guitar ensued by an equally vibrant lone verse only to decelerate back to calmer waters for the final minute and half.  Lyric snippet:

Something warm inside my mind
Peaceful and calm, and it stopped the time
So pure and clean and so divine

This is the color of our love
Love is the power of our heart
Heart is the center of our everyday

Equally intricate is seven-minute follow up cut “You Are”.  Song initiates its first minute and half to moody ballad like piano and fiddle only to burst at once as heavy rocking guitar cuts in alongside concentrated backing vocals and catchy rhythms, with the impact mirthful to the point of worshipful.  Back and forth and back again with the transitioning only interrupted by the virtuoso two minute instrumental run innate to intricate key boards and guitar interplay with added fiddle.

Nine minute “The Throne” follows suite.  Gentle and graceful opening moments highlighting grand piano and wave like guitar give way to some of albums heaviest moments, denuded in the ominous guitars and darker Hammond B3 that create a breathtaking effect.  Songs crowning moment is the three-minute instrumental jam accented by Grimmark’s neo-classical soloing, which playfully trades off with wondrous keyboards and violin.  Final minutes accent classical overtures.  Lyric snippet:

Here I am tonight
I stand before Your throne
You wash my sins away
Here I am tonight
You carry all my burdens
And open up my inner eye

All I need is You
Closer than before
Here my prayer

“Hold On To Your Dream” is albums shortest at just six and half minutes.  With open-air vocals to start, it impels ahead at an expedited tempo as coercing bass and crystalline piano lead the way to the stormy refrain iterating songs title in flourishing fashion.  At the halfway point, a time signature realizes to a slower direction as AOR infused harmonies, classical guitar and technical drum rolls and fills impart of the compelling.  Refrain returns in its passionate glory.

Back to seven-minute territory with “Windy City”, a song convoluted with manifold tempo changes as to be head spinning.  Not to go into too much detail, but a one-minute up-tempo instrumental opening slows to a standstill of gentle piano and organ that seamlessly transitions to echoing vocals and inspired harmonies.  Final four jam-fusion instrumental minutes draw from the Neal Morse progressive rock playbook as bass, piano and guitar solos converge.  Lyric snippet:

In this city, windy city
Nightfall sits on a throne
Since that bloody war they are hurt to the core
Hearts now made out of stone

Why can’t they see
What do they want from me
I could be acting like a clown
Can’t take no more
I have to feel this town

Album ends to nine and half-minute magnum opus Kerry Livgren cover “Ground Zero” (off Seeds Of Change from 1980).  Song across in form of a duet as Rivel's crystal clear tenor trades off with the warm middle register deliver to Per Hallman but otherwise stays true to the original: retained is the immediately recognizable ‘waiting for ground zero’ melody not to mention signature majestic flavorings in which symphonic keyboards hold sway with sublime guitar to taste.  An extended mid point instrumental interlude sees Livgren making a guest appearance with an inspired lead guitar run.

If a progressive rock fan, you will find a home in first and only Flagship offering Maiden Voyage.  Rivel and Kase form an impeccable partnership in staying true to the genre with lengthy and intricate songwriting innate to technical complexity and manifold jam like instrumental moments.  Musicianship is of complementary virtuoso form.  Despite the protracted songwriting, album holds up under repeat play in that more than adequate melody and variety separates to keep the album a fresh listen.  Rivel is such a good vocal fit for the progressive genre it is disappointing he has not returned with a follow up Flagship release.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: "Heart Is The Center" (7:41), "You Are" (6:53), "The Throne" (8:43), "Hold On To Your Dream" (6:38), "Windy City" (7:33), "Ground Zero" (9:39)

Musicians
Christian Rivel - Lead Vocals
Linus Kase - Keyboards
Carl Johan Grimmark - Guitars
Kristofer Eng - Bass
Mick Nordstrom - Drums
Per Hallman - Lead Vocals

Guest Musicians
Kerry Livgren - Guitars
Bjorn Klingvall - Violin & Viola
Michael Rank Jensen - Acoustic Guitars
Thomas Vikstrom - Backing Vocals