A couple of years ago a young guy from Vienna, Austria, sent me his then second demo-tape under the pseudonym of ARS (not a very convenient name in showbusiness for people might be waiting to hear some 'shit' !) entitled 'Memory Lane'. In 1994 the music on 'Melolydian Garden' (WMMS 070) by a certain LANVALL sounded rather familiar and when I looked closely at the info in the booklet I realised that Lanvall is the new pseudonym of Arne R. Stockhammer formerly known as ... ARS. Although heavily influenced by Yngwie Malmsteen and Dream Theater, Lanvall is also into the classics by means of his adoration for Vivaldi, Bach and Pagannini.
For his second CD Lanvall has now teamed up with none other than Gandalf who guests on three of the nine songs. 'Auramony ' is a concept album based around the various colours of the rainbow and their different meanings. It's that particular meaning that is put into music so as to give you an idea of their 'aura'.
Those of you who know the first album and were afraid Lanvall might try something new on this album may rest assured that the Richard Clayderman of the guitar continues the flow of his debut. Soft babbling strings bordered by some choirs and on top those candyfloss melodies on the guitar, that's about his recipe. The unadventurous within his music is the main reason why his output will never be found under the big A of Art but will always be associated with department-store muzak although I must admit I'd have less problems waiting at the pay-desk when Lanvall's music is on.
The album kicks of with 'Overture - Transcending Into The Light' where a huge choir (Viva Musica) is used to underline the dramatic contents of the song. You have to wait until 'Red' before you hear the patented sound of Lanvall. If the producers of the once famous 'Bilitis' filmseries are thinking to film a sequel then I'm sure 'Orange' could be putting Francis Lai out of a job what with it's mellow Camel-like playing and the inclusion of some fine fluteparts. And the mellow approach continues in 'Blue' and 'White' whilst we clearly get the Gandalf trademark in the follwing three tracks. 'Violet' is almost like an outtake from Gandalf's own Sattva catalogue especially due to the use of sitar.
All by all a nice melodic album but surely one you won't play day after day after day ...
