Chance For The Link Of A Chain

Date	Label	Catalog #	Comments
27 Sep 2017	Scene Records		CD

Track List

Galaxy Song
A Link In The Chain
Another Place In Space
The Magic Key
The World is Changing
Cosmic Chain (DICE-Map 4)

Performer Credits

Christian Nóvé
vocals, keyboards, bass

Ramona Nóvé
vocals

Peter Viertel
guitar

Tom Tomson
drums

With:

Dieter Kalka: Bandoneon

Reviewed by Marc on 17 Aug 2017

German band Dice's music is very much planted in the early seventies. Chance For The Link Of A Chain is their latest CD.

The six songs that make up this record are pretty much in the 10 minutes range (+ or - a couple of minutes). Somewhat paradoxically, I consider the first 5 tracks to be ''song based'' (i.e. like ''Stairway To Heaven'' and ''Sweet Madame Blue'' were also song based). This being said, all tracks allow some great instrumentation and nice solos (some on keyboards but mostly on guitar). Often a given song will end with an extensive guitar solo. The last track is an instrumental that gives this very good album a climactic endig.

All the instruments used seem to be vintage (or they sound like it at least). There is a lot of cool organ and synth and the lead guitar has Gimour/Latimer qualities, something I appreciate a lot with the extensive soloing. The songs are dynamic but in a relaxed manner. Camel and Caravan come to my mind as acceptable references, even though none of the songs here actually remind of these two bands. Keyboard player Christian Nové also handles the vocals. He has a voice pretty close to a mellow Roger Waters. His singing fits very well with the music.

I've enjoyed Chance For The Link Of A Chain quite a lot. Low stress but always interesting music that is excellently performed. Those into Retro Prog will certainly enjoy Dice's latest effort. Recommended!