Customer Reviews

Secrets of Astrology

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the 'real' alternative music. I first heard Lana Lane on a sampler disc that a friend lent me, and subsequently hunted down Secrets Of Astrology . I have had this disc for well over a year now, and I've yet to get sick of it. Lana Lane possesses the type of voice that I haven't heard in a long time - rich, powerful, full of emotion and fire. She does vocally bear a passing resemblence to Ann Wilson, and that's not bad company to keep. Lane and her husband/colloborator Erik Norlander have produced a brilliant disc of in your face material that announces what it is, right off the top. The Astrology Suite/Secrets Of Astrology/Postlude is the starting point. kudos to guitarist Arjen Lucassen, and especially drummer Ed Wharby, who is rock steady and shows his flash on songs like Speed Of Sound. Above all though, is the quality of Lane's voice. She is more than a screamer, as tracks like Alexandria, The Bell, and Guardian Angel prove. I have since started to track down her back catalogue, which is large. She does have some uneven albums, but there is no quibbling with Secrets Of Astrology; It packs a punch, gets in your face, and is topped off by the type of voice I had thought had disappeared a Decade ago. Well Done, Lana, you've convinced me!

Lana Lane, introduced to me by a friend who knows her personally, goes beyond the bounds of normal musical composition and performance. With intrinsic and exhilierating sounds of hard rock and keyboards along with Lane's deep and passionate voice, "Secrets of Astrology" calls for a breakout into the musical scene. Unfortunately, Lana's music has yet to reach the audience of the States...However, if she does, she will surpass the cliches and typical musical genres of the Americans and show us true musical talent. An absolute marvel and spectacle for any music lover.

Speed of Sound song is AWESOME!!!
Worth buying!!!!!Wish she would come to Cleveland!

Secrets of Astrology is arguably Lana Lane's finest CD, certainly her most progressive. Over the years, Lana has established herself in an unusual niche, progressive metal with female vocals, and an emphasis on melodic songs rather than extended instrumental passages. The songs here are all quite good, with strong melodies, complex arrangements, and Lana's trademark mystical lyrics. These tracks are for the most part somewhat slower and softer than on Lana's other CDs, with overdubbed keyboards and lush synthesized orchestrations. Running 70 minutes, this CD sustains interest throughout.

Wow!!Her vocals are awesome.Speed of sound ROCKS.
I wish she would come to CLEVELAND!!!

Lana shows off her stunning vocal capabilities here and it especially shows on Secrets of Astrology triade (suite). "Guardian Angel" is also my favorite but most of the other tracks are recycling same hooks and harmonies.

Lana Lane has an entrancing, powerful voice and I bought this album based on what I'd heard from her previously, mostly prog rock samplers and Aryeon's "Dream Sequencer" album.

However, there is no question that this album will be a dissapointment to serious prog fans because a lot of the material is pedestrian. The "Astrology" suite of songs work well enough and I like "Alexandria" and "Bell", but many of these songs are straight, rather unimaginative rockers. "Speed of Sound" is one of the worst offenders. I don't mind shredding if it's done imaginatively, a la Dream Theater, but this is just straightforward stuff. Not much to write home about.

Other songs suffer from the same problem. They're just rock songs and not very impressive ones. You also reach a point where a lot of this stuff sounds similar. There is a ton of music on this CD, proof that this is not necessarily a good thing.

I have no doubt that Lana could be the "Queen of Symphonic Prog" that the liner notes claim if she had complex and challenging enough material. Check out her turns on "Dream Sequencer", especially "Dragon of the Sea" which is so awesome its scary. Her reliance on Erik Norlander, her husband, to write the bulk of the material is a definite issue. His keyboards are great, but not his songwriting skills. Mix in some other songwriters, Lana! (Or try writing more yourself. "Alexandria" is just fine).

Track Listing
1. Astrology Prelude
2. Secrets Of Astrology
3. Alexandria
4. Raining
5. Bell, The
6. Speed Of Sound
7. Under The Sun
8. Tarot
9. Asherah
10. Guardian Angel
11. Long Winter Dreams
12. Astrology Postlude
13. Romeo And Juliet

The "American Queen of Progressive and Symphonic Rock" has a decent enough voice-- strong enough for metal, anyways. I would not classify this album as progressive rock, however; it is more heavy metal, more specifically 80s hair-band stuff. The musicianship is decent enough, but the material never rises above the ordinary, and even after several listens I find it a struggle to recall any of the songs.