Wise men with red flags, learning and exploring – The Von Hertzen Brothers discard their Prog cloaks to reveal a set of pop-tinged rock anthems.

Release Date: 25th October 2024

Label: DoingBeingMusic

Format: CD / vinyl / digital

Mikko, Kie and Jonne – the Von Hertzen Brothers – are often tarred with the occasionally fashionable but mostly not, ‘progressive’ brush. “We have proudly carried the cloaks of ‘prog-wizards’ for the last two albums, ” says brother Mikko, “but what has not been so widely discussed lately is our ability to write good pop choruses and great catchy rock anthems with good vibes.” Fair call and put to rights with interest by the VHBs on In Murmuration.

Cue the overwhelming evidence provided by the unforgivably immediate Ascension Day. Just one of the big-chorused, hook-saturated, power-pop tracks that fill In Murmuration. The very title suggests they’re flying and swooping in perfect unison, a thing of beauty that incites open-mouthed wonder. A thing too of constant change in shape and form which include a gospel ensemble and the Budapest Art Orchestra.

Counting on observations on the global political landscape, the tricky human relationships of the age, resilience and personal growth all provide lyrical subject matter. They refer to “this f*cked up world,” as “a source that keeps on giving, but we wanted to step out of the forest and into the sunlight to mingle, discuss and celebrate.“

The thrill of the opening guitar fizz and fervour that kick starts The Relapse (another fine choice alongside Ascension Day as a single) sets the scene perfectly. Effervescent and uplifting, the first of several white knuckle rides on a first half that surfs a wave of positivity and love that leads to a series of contemporary Rock energy and vibrant, almost joyous freedom. For evidence, check out the semi-controlled sax and keys freak out in Starlings, yet the Beneath The Silver Stars sees the energy briefly reined in for an electric guitar strum that’s embellished by a wave of lush string textures and neck wringing solo that sneaks up. The Prog tag is sometimes hard to shift, no denying your roots, and the “it feels like we could fly” line signals take off. As the brothers reinforce, learning and exploring who we are.

Tightrope Walker struts in with a New Wave bluster blessed with Lennon/McCartney harmonies in a second half that journeys through challenging relationships, a literal call for change, separation, loss, longing and a final resolution. The sax reappears in more blistering shape on The Change although the more general introspection in lyrical direction is matched by a greater restraint and sobriety in the soundtrack.

While Separation lulls, Snowstorm offers something more threatening with a brooding mood set by a leaden tempo. A simple de-tune and we’d be in serious Doom Metal territory. Heck there’s even a section in the latte part that wouldn’t be out of place on an Opeth album. Wait For Me is a finale that’s about the crafting of a fragile atmosphere to accompany a melancholic lyric. To namecheck another band who’ve had a significant impact in the Prog field, it’s very Anathema certainly during the opening passage where a drone is accompanied by a repeating piano phrase. After the vibrancy that flows early doors, it provides a calm and contemplative curtain closer.

Addressing the problems of an age of constant change from a more forgiving and positive standpoint. the Von Hertzen Brothers have created a thoughtful and uplifting album. An album that like the band themselves, gives the chance to feel a little lighter in our everyday lives.

Here’s Ascension Day:

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