Van Der Graaf Generator
Merlin Atmos

THE REVIEW

The Van Der Graaf Generator are perhaps my favorite band in the prog scene and beyond, and when in 2013 I had the chance to see them live in Pistoia, it was like a dream come true. Too bad that, on that occasion, the performance was brief since more space was given to Steven Wilson (who was careful not to share the stage with one of his declared idols). When the band decided to reunite in 2005, expectations were high: the albums of the new phase, namely "Present" (2005), still with David Jackson, "Trisector" (2008), and "A Grounding In Numbers" (2011) demonstrated that, while not being objectively masterpieces, the Generator still had something to say. Unfortunately, due to unspecified misunderstandings, after "Present" the legendary saxophonist David Jackson left. It was certainly not a painless departure considering that, historically, David Jackson was the soul of Van Der Graaf in the eyes of the public alongside Peter Hammill. Honestly, something was lost, and I feel I can safely say that it was a heavy loss, so much so that, according to some, the band no longer made sense. That said, the Generator managed to reorganize and continued on their path with great commitment and dedication. This is clearly demonstrated by this new stunning live album entitled "Merlin Atmos" released by Esoteric Antenna. The 2013 tour, which also touched Italy, as mentioned, was in some ways memorable: the setlist presented was simply thrilling. To give an idea, the epochal suite "A Plague Of Lighthouse-Keepers" was performed entirely for the first time, and also for the first time, the legendary "Flight", another suite contained in Peter Hammill's solo album "A Black Box" (1980), was played as Van Der Graaf Generator.

"Merlin Atmos", for which I strongly recommend the limited Deluxe 2 CD edition, is a great album that should not be missing from the collection of anyone who loves the Van Der Graaf. The first track is indeed "Flight": when I heard it in Pistoia, I saw more than one person shed a few tears. "A Plague Of Lighthouse-Keepers" is the other highlight of the album: it was played almost perfectly, and like "Flight", it comes from the Milan concert, considered by the band to be the best of that tour: Hammill was in great shape, and although his voice is not what it used to be, he delivered a great performance supported by the great work of Hugh Banton and Guy Evans. There is also a crazy, corrosive, and chilling version of "Gog", one of the warhorses from "In Camera" (1974), another solo "hammillion" album. The new songs, namely "Lifetime", "All That Before," and "Bunsho," may have less impact compared to these masterpieces but do not look out of place.

The second disc starts with 2 tracks from "Trisector": "Interference Patterns" is very reminiscent of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, while "Over The Hill" is the closest the band has come to the glories of the past. After "Your Time Starts Now," there is also room for "Scorched Earth", taken from the great "Godbluff" (1975), and for "Meurglys III, The Songwrites Guild," a suite that comes from "World Record" (1976). The level remains consistently high even if it doesn't reach the peaks of the first CD. "Man Erg" is another classic from the milestone "Pawn Hearts" (1971). The closure is entrusted to "Childlike Faith In Childhood’s End" from the immortal "Still Life" (1976).

"Merlin Atmos" is the testimony of a historic event and confirms how the Generator has never extinguished and has always remained active throughout these years.