Search - Ark :: Ark

Fantastic Progressive Rock Album

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 09/23/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ark's self-titled debut is a really excellent, and more importantly, a really unique progressive rock album. At a time when Dream Theater knock-off bands are a dime a dozen, it's nice to see a band that reaches a bit deeper. The Dream Theater influence is there of course, but this album brings to mind early Genesis and King Crimson more than anything else. It's very quirky, and very progressive, and never quite what you're expecting.



Ark was something of an "all-star" band, but two members' performances really stand out on this album. Guitarist Tore Ostby gives a masterful performance that is both intricate and passionate, and vocalist extraordinaire Jorn Lande exercises his Coverdale-like pipes to great effect.



As good as this album is, the band's second album is that much better, and tends to overshadow the debut. On its own merits, I think Ark holds up as a very solid progressive rock/metal album."