PRODUCED BY AGENESS.
All arrangements by Eriksson - Saarinen - Saaristo - Ukkonen

Reviews : 

In the nineties, I became acquainted with the fabulous albums Rituals (1995) and Imageness (1998) of Ageness. Since then I am a huge fan of this Genesis-inspired Finnish band. Even their album logo showed some similarity with this legendary British band. I was lucky to see Ageness in 1999 at the Planet Pul Festival in Uden, The Netherlands, but during the latest decade, it became very quiet around the band. I checked out their website from time to time to see how they were doing. Well, the band is alive and kicking! Ageness gave some concerts performing songs from Peter Gabriel and Rush, they worked for the Colossus Progressive Association, recorded a live DVD and they even worked on a new album with the preliminary title Liar’s Lair. Time elapsed, but no new album saw the light of day. When I recently checked out their website, I finally read the good news: the release of a new Ageness-album, the first in eleven years. The band changed the album title to Songs From The Liar’s Lair. I was very eager to listen to this album, thus I contacted the band for a review copy. At first, I didn’t expect anything at all, but out of the blue, a copy fell into my mailbox. 

I had great expectations of the new album. Could Tommy Eriksson (vocals, keyboards and guitars) and the other band members come up with another fine release? The answer is: yes, they could, although I was not so positive when I heard the album for the first time. Fortunately, I realized that I, while listening, made a big mistake, because I too much focused on the sound Ageness produced in the nineties. I forgot that both the band and I are ten years older and we might have changed music wise. I kept that in mind during the following listening sessions and that proved to be the right way to enjoy this new Ageness album. The album shows once more that Tommy Eriksson is quite a genius. After Imageness, he collected only the best pieces to record for the band’s fourth studio-album and so we can enjoy seven beautiful songs. I really began to love this top-notch album and almost got addicted to it. I just had to play it every day. The modern sounds we hear on Songs From The Liar’s Lair fit the band perfectly. From time to time, we can still here some fine synth solos, impressive mellotron samples and also the great guitar solos remained. Guitar guru Speedy Saarinen surprised me with some wonderful guitar eruptions. The rhythm section remained the same after all those years:   Jari Ukkonen on bass guitar and Kari Saaristo on drums, both doing a great job on their instruments. Not only had the music suffered a new and positive change, but also the band’s logo. It is now a modern computer animated creation that still looks a bit like the old one, just like the music. ‘The story continues’, Tommy sings on the track The Lament Of Ghosts. So welcome back boys with this fabulous album and don’t wait another ten years for your fifth album release and please hurry with the new DVD. For this outstanding album, I can only give the highest rating possible. By the way, I almost forgot to mention. Don’t get the CD out of your system after the last notes of Liar’s Lair. The band has a fine extra for all the people who are patient enough to wait until the CD really reaches the end. 

***** Henri Strik (edited by Peter Willemsen) 

-Background Magazine (Netherlands)

www.progwalhalla.com

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Ageness : Scarab (2003)

Reviews :

Scarab LP re-issue:

If this record would have been 'found' when released 1983, it would have been an instantsuccess within the prog world. But with as little copies printed as 180, maybe the bandthemselves didn't want it to happen. And that's a pity! (Prognetik Magazine, 1995,Norway)

The bands unusual name can best be explained when you see how it is printed on the CDsleeve. You get the impression that you're seeing 'Genesis'. Accidental? No I don't think so.Subtle, but clever! This I think is not the only influence you will draw. One spin of this CDshould leave you in no doubt of 'Floyd' and 'Rush' and indeed just listening to the vocals ofTommy Eriksson(Gabriel/Fish/Nicholls) completes the effect. Despite all above, 'Ageness'are not just another cover band. The music on offer here at just under an hour is excellent,with plenty of glorious guitar as on the instrumental track 'Seven Down' all courtesy ofVesa Auvinen. For all you keyboards fans there is enough superb work by the brilliant JariLaasanen to keep you well entertained. The track 'Revelation' is indeed just that, and notwithout a touch of comedy. Just to quote you one verse- 'But now, it all has changed.Their music ain't the same anymore. It Bites Marillion on the Twelfth Night of Rush. Theyall tried, but bitterly failed... The track then fades out to the echoes of 'IKnow What I Like'. It really is good stuff, honest! The wonderful 'Skies of Evermore' a sure fire classic,brings a touch of melancholy to the proceedings, but not for long. 'Drastic Measures'proved to be a fitting guitar driven finale to this quite amazing album. It should be realinterest to those of you who enjoyed the 'The Trick Of The Tail' and 'Wind AndWuthering' period. I was trying to think of a fitting summary when I realised that the bandhad done it for me, and to quote them -'Showing Paces' is delicious mixture of exitingsounscapes, clever storytelling in the wilderness of clear melodic sense and musicality. (Martin Dyas, Wondrous Stories, England)

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Ageness : Imageness (1998)

1. Line of Force (Eriksson) - 6:25
2. Fear (Eriksson) - 4:24
3. Chain Reaction (Eriksson) - 5:31
4. Metamorphosis (Eriksson) - 10:04
5. Sequels (The Feast of Fools) (Eriksson) - 26:33

Reviews :

Imageness (FGBG 4326.AR)

Tremendous! The third album by this band from Finland is simply tremendous! Ageness, often considered like a Genesis-clone has become really more than this: the best neo-progressive band from 1998. Ageness mixes neo-prog's power (like Pallas or the early Pendragon) and complex structures, concise songs and epics (the 26 minutes 'Feast of fools'). Concentrating itself on beautiful melodies, the band creates a new progressive music, made of Genesis-like keyboards, a singer between Robert Plant and Fish (no less), a guitar virtuoso. Genesis in the seventies, Marillion in the eighties, Ageness in the nineties!

(Theo Bongers/ SymphoCity Prognews, Holland)

AGENESS: Imageness

Easy....Pendragon-meets-Yes only damn sight more powerful than either, with a massive wall of guitars, organ and synths, over rampaging drums and Chris Squire style bass. Vocally it's more like Pendragon but with Yes style harmonies. The dynamics are more akin to current Spock's Beard and the album finishes with a 26 minute epic you just won't believe. Overall, another prog masterpiece that doesn't put a foot wrong throughout the entire album, will blow you away with every play for years to come and is destine dto be yet another giant selling album, so get in there, buy it now and don't forget that we told you first. Phenomenal!!

(ANDY G /PROG FLYER)

Imageness (FGBG 4326.AR)

For the uninitiated Ageness are a Finnish prog-rock band who have been, through frontman and multi- instrumentalist Tommy Eriksson, friends of the CRS for a long while. Their previous albums have sold well in the UK because of their uniqueness and also for their close proximity to the IQ's of this world. They are one of the more powerful prog bands around now and all in all one of the best (probably the best) that I've heard out of Finland. There are no weaknesses musically and it should be noted that the album has been supported by the Foundation for the Promotion of Finnish Music (LUSES) and (ESEK) in Finland - well done to them for being totally opposite to the institutions of the UK and other countries who seem to not want to know!! So what of the album? Well, it's a bit more in your face than the previous albums and has a marathon 26 minute track 'Sequels (the Feast of Fools)' that will have proggers salivating immediately. That lenghty track has some great moments and links, and the entry to the section called' the Way' is reminiscent of early Genesis. The album title is interesting giving a picture of band looking at themselves and what they produce. There are all the prog traits including the essential bunch of fine musicians. Tommy Eriksson is a musician who has a touch of Peter Nicholls about his voice except that you might think he was born and bred somewhere in Southern England - his English is better than yours! Jari Laasanen's use of organ is the extra packing necessary to this kind of music and something that isn't used often enough today. The bass lines of Jari Ukkonen have an earthy prog feel about them and I'm sure Kari Saaristo's drumming would draw acclaim from any of the best around. Marko Karhu completes this solid Finnish unit on electric guitar - his solo moments are quite sumptuous! I'm sure that what Spock's Beard are currently doing for American prog Ageness are doing for Finland. If someone asked for an example of prog of the 90's you wouldn't go far wrong by using 'Imageness' as an example.

(Martin Hudson/Wondrous Stories, UK)

Ageness: Imageness (Musea FGBG 4236.AR) 'Imageness', the brand new album of Finland's progband Ageness is released now. The CD contains 5 songs with a total length of over 50 minutes and it is released by the French prog label Musea. This new album contains complex structures, concise songs and a great epic, the 26 minute song "Feast Of Fools". In the past the band often considered like a 'Genesis-clone', but with this new album this will be the past, because the band has created it's own sound. Ageness have been touring in Finland recently and the response has been very good, sometimes even crazy. A video of the song "Fear" will be ready in a couple of weeks. Plans for other videos are also in progress. Meanwhile the arrangements for a tour in Europe are in progress, but nodates are available yet!

(Rene Janssen, Dutch Progressive Rock Page)

Ageness: Imageness - Rating: ***1/2

"Imageness," not really a word is it? Oh well, I think we can forgive these Finnish folks for their misuse of English, intentional or not. What is encouraging, at least to this English speaking bloke, is that Tommy Eriksson's vocals are clear and easily understood although occasionally forced. I've read criticisms of Mr. Eriksson's vocals out there is cyberspace, but rest assured they are solid and have a certain Nichols/Lee/Fish delivery to them. Before discussion the music, a brief aside regarding packaging. If you're like me, and for your sake I hope you're not, you just can't disregard the artwork. Besides the rather ordinary band picture on the inside cd tray, the art is a real high point. Throughout the booklet there are interesting psychedelic landscapes with lots of purples and reds. Perhaps these pictures are "imageness." Your journey into "imageness" begins with some airy keys which lead right into the driving "Line of Force." (6:25) The music consists of some nice interplay among the instruments with guitar, organ and bass taking turns at center stage. Featuring lines such as "Moral masturbation, respected prostitution, we are all on a ride to nowhere…", Line of Force is a tightly developed introduction. LoF comes to a quick end, and we are introduced to the pastoral intro to "Fear." (4:24) Here Mr. Eriksson has pulled off a very nice Fish impersonation. Fear is a nice enough song, with some cool keyboard noodling starting around 1:30, the chorus gets a tad boring, but ends quickly enough. Next we move to a song with the same title as a really bad movie, "Chain Reaction." (5:31) CR starts with some driving guitar and moves into a Rush like look at how society basically sucks and we're all going to heck if we don't smarten up. This sounds like it could be a Rush outtake from Signals or Power Windows. A solid tune, but not much to blow you away. Now we get to the best stuff. "Metamorphosis" (10:04) starts with a little up and down on the keys and builds from there. One thing that stood out to me was the guitar sound. It's forward in the mix at times, but still has a certain subtly about it. The solo that starts around 7:00 serves as a perfect example. Metamorphosis fades away and leaves the 26:33 magnum opus of Imageness "Sequels." Sequels comes in ten parts and starts with some wave effects and a bit of choral work. This closing track is a nice recapitulation of all the various effects used throughout the album with a bit more room to breathe. In short (too late for that), Ageness have produced a well crafted piece of neo-prog that can be summarized as 80's Rush meets early Marillion and will be in heavy rotation in my cd player for some time to come.

Reviewed by: Todd Crane (tcrane@isis.unc.edu) bernard from Chapel Hill

Imageness preview

This version I got was actually a cake without icing, (CDR with no cover art yet), but that didn't spoil my appetite. Ageness continues their tradition with great opening songs in "Line of Force", it's flying high with a big groove. The second song "Fear" has as well been born under lucky stars, despite the chorusline lyrics. I can imagine future generations playing these songs at their nights for classics. The consept works well. Travelling from light in to shadows and back. "Chain Reaction" is probably the most furious Ageness I've ever heard. Despite the hard edge there are some delicate and fragile moments there. The flight on the dark side continues.... "Metamorphosis" begins in 'gentlegiantic' atmosphere, only to burst in to metal mayhem and so on... There are plenty of catchy breaks and surprises, but they're all justified. The end climax calms down and gives space to over 26 minute "Sequels", which is true ecstasy from beginning to end. This remarkable epic works like a good three hour film. The sense of time disappears and in the end it feels like it was almost too short. The musical mosaic Ageness produces in it's entirety is impossible to describe in words. As a young boy, we used to cathegorise things for being "the best possible" or "absolutely awesome". Both these goes with "Imageness". (Carl-Kristian Rundman/ Colossus 1/98)

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Ageness : Rituals (1995)

1. Ritual I (Hymn for Lappland) (Eriksson) - 0:32
2. Forever Returns (Eriksson) - 6:20
3. Chainsaw Murders (Eriksson) - 4:15
4. Freeways (Eriksson) - 4:26
5. Polyphemus (Eriksson) - 6:35
6. Hidden Space (Eriksson) - 7:20
7. Take Us All (To the Open Spaces) (Eriksson) - 3:40
8. Silent Partners (Eriksson) - 4:32
9. Problems (Eriksson) - 4:05
10. Ritual II (Renaissance) (Eriksson) - 0:59
11. Mortal Wings of Sin II (Eriksson) - 10:15

Reviews :

Rituals

The wave of prog bands from the Baltic area continues with Ageness, this is their second work and it is good and interesting. The Finnish group shows right from the first tracks their good capabilities: after the intro "Ritual I" starts "Forever returns" typical rock from the 80's (do You remember Quasar ?). Tommy Eriksson's voice, who also plays guitars, is firm with a tendency to lean on high tonalities (Geddy Lee, Jon Anderson). The rhythm section is well put together by Kari Saaristo and Jari Ukkonen trying to offer a style a' la Rush. With "Chainsaw murders" and "Freeways" the band winks to the FM radio, the keyboards are not forward enough although supporting the melody created by the guitar. "Polyphemus" is the trade mark of the band: swirling bass and expressive guitar. "Hidden space" instead, represent a moment of meditation, a slow ballad with, finally, a piano and a acoustic guitar. "Take us all" could be a good single. Even more convincing is "Silent partners", where the keyboards of Jari Laasanen are creating the driving theme. "Problems" is the downbeat of the album, although good drumming. "Ritual 2" is a short acoustic intro created by Tommy Eriksson for the majestic "Mortal wings of sin II", pearl of the whole album: great keyboard solos, many rhythm and mood shifts for 10 minutes of good music. Interesting. (Roberto Cangioli/ Paperlate, Italy)

Ageness have now published "Rituals", a second album. You still find Genesis influences for sure (the vocals especially), but they have their own touch now. This is a perfect production too though private... In other words, a really good job! A few days ago, they reissued an album they published by the early eighties under the name of Scarab. A gem too, closer to Camel. Ouch, these guys are working very hard, aren't they? (Roland Rogue, Acid Dragon 17/96)

Rituals

Those of you who bought Issue 9 of Frontiers will be already familiar with Finnish group Ageness, who contributed the splendid 'Polyphemus' to the third volume of our promotional sampler series. Taking their inspiration from Genesis, on 'Rituals' the band demonstrate their ability to build something original out from an influence. Vocalist Tommy Eriksson has written a vastly differing set of eleven tacks from simple pieces like the two short instrumental tracks (from which the album takes it's title) through some fine four minute rock songs to the ten minute epic 'Mortal Wings Of SinII'. Eriksson's vocals are reminiscent of IQ's Peter Nicholls, but the band's music strikes out well beyond IQ parameters, even making use of the odd jazz inflection. Guest guitarist Vesa Auvinen lays down some fantastic lightening quick solos over the straight ahead rock of 'Freeways' and the more complex rhythms of 'Polyphemus'. The other tracks all have marked distinguishing features: 'Problems' is all quirky piano whereas'Hidden Space' is more relaxed with a cracking lenghty acoustic guitar solo from another guest, Mike J Hella. There are echoes of the classic 'Solsbury Hill' on 'Take Us All (To The Open Spaces)', while 'Mortal Wings Of Sin' is an epic worthly of it's name and builds up to a strong climax to conclude a fine album. (Nick Shilton/ Frontiers,UK)

Rituals

From the symphonic opening cut 'Forever Returns' the Saga influence is still present, again with a heavy AOR feel. However, there is more depth and feeling, probably brought about by the fact that the band had been together for a few years now. I have no hesitation in highly recommending both Ageness albums for your progcollection. If you are only going to get one then I would favour the second but they are both worth of your attention. (Kev Rowland, Feedback/ Mensa UK)

Rituals

'Rituals' the newest album by Finnish band Ageness strenghtens my beliefs of their potential. It's still unbelievable that this little masterpiece hasn't grabbed more attention yet! Even thought they are well known in their home country, as they have played for thousands in Helsinki Festival's Park Concert, they are still an unknown secret abroad.Their solid, prog dosed rock is close to It Bites and World Trade, even though their style is considerably more sophisticated than of those. The album consists of some four minute songs with catchy choruses to modern extended prog orgies (Mortal wings of Sin II). Between the two there's also rock/ prog mixtures with gigantic guitar and keyboard solos (Polyphemus). There's everything you could ask for an album: good production, interesting compositions, steady songwriting ability, which is underlined by the guitarist/ vocalist Tommy Eriksson's unique, but significant voice. This album is highly recommended to everyone, who do needs to find more depth than the average mainstream rock and have been so far forced to listen to only pure neo-prog plagiats.This pompous album will surely lie warmly in their hearts. (Kristian Selm, ProgressiveNewsletter, Germany) Rituals Ageness dives deep in to the depths of progressive rock. All the necessities are included-complex song structures, tempo changes, rich soundscapes, ambitious and pompous composions. Influences can be spotted, vocalist Tommy Eriksson sounds like Geddy Lee of Rush and the discipline in the bands playing reminds me of 70's Genesis. But this is nothing like a nostalgic repetition, Ageness has just blown fresh air into the old, teased prog-rock. It's indeed nice to listen to an album, where there has been a heavy emphasis on compositions. Adequate amount of brilliant playing without unnecessary boasting. This expressive consept works amazingly well. (Jussi Collin, Rytmi , Finland) RitualsEmphatic prog masterpieces like 'Hidden Space', 'Take Us All' and 'Mortal Wings of Sin' atrue epic! I guess the vocals would also split you down the middle being in that love them/hate them area; But what is not up for discussion is the quality guitar and keyboards onthis album. Once again the musical compositions are very mid Genesis and Marillion towhich I'm sure they make no apology. In fact I get the impression that they just say 'Kissmy ass' to the anti-Genesis clones brigade! One could almost believe that this inspiredFinnish band could easily split the Classic Rock Society's body politics. You just can't beata healthy discourse. Now can you! (Martin Dyas, Classic Rock Society's Wondrous Stories) Rituals Even though I'm not at all pleased with this album. I still think there is potential in this band, because they have energy and they can also write songs that are catchy yet progressive, which seems to me a very hard task. The longer tracks are are more or less a collection of interesting and even good melodies. My problem with this band is mainly caused by the vocals (yep it's them vocals again), which to me sound unpleasant. (Jurriaan Hage, ?, Holland) RitualsAgeness are not providing easy listening here. So don't try to listen to 'Rituals' in haste.Prepare some time and you'll be well rewarded. Because the pearls can be only heardprogressively. Progressively? Yes indeed! (Harmonie Rock Progressif, France)

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Ageness : Showing Paces (1992)

1. New World Anthem (Eriksson) - 4:48
2. Broken Heart (Eriksson) - 4:20
3. Marigold (Eriksson) - 4:38
4. Asylum 32 (Eriksson) - 4:40
5. Misunderstanding After Mistake (Eriksson) - 5:07
6. Darkness (Eriksson) - 6:28
7. Seven Down (Eriksson) - 7:25
8. Afterall (Eriksson) - 4:18
9. Time and Tide (Eriksson) - 4:47
10. Revelation (Eriksson) - 4:05
11. Skies of Evermore (Eriksson) - 3:20
12. Drastic Measures (Eriksson) - 3:18

Reviews:

Showing Paces

It is of little surprise that with two keyboard players in the band that, Agenes show a distinct nod towards classic Saga. Vocals are very clear and melodic while the guitarwork is suberb. This means that the album is very accessible high quality prog, tempered with agood dose of AOR. It is an album that can be enjoyed on first hearing and certainly doesn't suffer with repeated playing.

(Kev Rowland, Feedback/ Mensa UK)

Showing Paces

Now our 'petite finlandais' show that they have that something to satisfy our prog-hungerthat has been tried to settle with sugar coated nonsense. With vocals much more closer tothe original pure feeling than other contestants(Citizen Cain, November), Ageness leads usdown the paths trotten only by Gabriel, Hackett, Collins, Rutherford, Banks in theirgolden days. Ageness is probably the first band to fully understand the essence of'Genesisian' music. (Bruno Versmisse, Harmonie Rock Progressif, France)

Showing Paces

Not many prog bands come out from Finland. I remember one Camelish combo called Wigwam...and that's all! Maybe this not a rock country at all! Anyway here is suberb group which had to self produce their first('I), recorded in 1992. In fact this band is not quite new. Under the name of Scarab they made their first eponymous album in1983. With their vocals ala Peter Gabriel, suberb guitar parts, Ageness seem here balance between today's Genesis (general form) and the old one (rich instrumentation). I must saybe 'positive' for many new outfits keep the faith and the flame today! We don't know yet what the nineties would be, but the fighters are many and talented as Ageness for example! One waits for their new opus 'Rituals' impatiently. (Roland Rogue, Acid Dragon, France)