Flaming Row - 2025 - Keeper Of The Scriptures

(79:34; Flaming Row)

Track list:
1. Gandhara's Legacy 4:26
2. The Mesh 12:42
3. An Invisible Bond 7:19
4. Nita - The Keeper 8:52
5. Meera - The Guardian 3:36
6. Mithila's End 5:22
7. It Was Magic 7:49
8. Between Worlds 1:30
9. Hope for a Miracle 8:43
10. The Last Stand 6:21
11. More Than Words 7:11
12. An Old Legend 5:43

Line-up:
Melanie Mau - vocals
Martin Schnella - guitars, bass, vocals
Niklas Kahl - drums
Marek Arnold - keyboards, saxophone
with:
Glynn Morgan - vocals
Sally Minnear - vocals
Mike Keneally - guitars
Jelena Dobric - vocals
Richard Henshall - guitars
Leo Margarit - drums
Joe Deninzon - violin
Stephan Kernbach - keyboards, sounds
Lars Lehmann - bass
Mathias Ruck - vocals
Maggy Luyten - vocals
Johan Hallgren - guitars
Arjen Lucassen - guitars
Jan Listing - vocals
Marcus Siepen - guitars
Simon Schröder - drums
Natalie Brown - vocals
Andrew Colyer - vocals
Gary Wehrkamp - guitars
Alex Langner - bass
Rylee McDonald - guitars
Brendt Allman - guitars
Jens Kommnick - Celtic instruments
Josie Ann Mau - spoken words


Prolusion.
German band Flaming Row has been a feature in the German music scene for close to 20 years at this point, with their debut album "Elinoire" appearing all the way back in 2011. Revolving around composer and musician Martin Schnella from the onset, alongside Marek Arnold and Niklas Kahl, and with Melanie Mau also becoming a fixture from 2014's "Mirage - A Portrayal Of Figures" and onward. "Keeper of the Scriptures" is their fourth studio production, and was self released in the fall of 2015.

Analysis.
One aspect of this album that is worth mentioning straight away is that this is a dual language album, where a German edition of this creation accompanies the English version of the album. And while I suspect that most international fans of the band will prefer the English language version, there is an additional layer of enjoyment to hear a concept album such as this one also being performed in its original language.

As far as the music is concerned, this album is firmly placed inside of the progressive metal tradition, and then in the classic era variety of the form being the most prevalent throughout.  With several compositions not straying too far away from what I tend to prefer to as the Dream Theater school of progressive rock, with the compositions typically having subtle and more overt alterations in pace and intensity. Tight and energetic passages, more majestic displays and darker, booming instrument sounds and expressions are all present here. And those fond of quirkier and technical details should find plenty to enjoy throughout too.

A recurring feature throughout are more careful displays too, more in line with the material Schnella and Mau record and release as a duo, revolving around a more distinct folk music foundation. In this case these appear as delicate side steps in some of the songs, but are also explored more in depth on a couple of occasions. Otherwise we get a nice inclusion of more exotic sounds and timbres with a more mystical sheen to them, albeit these aspects are more dominant at the start of this album, with this aspect having a lesser presence as this production unfolds.

As one would expect, Schnella and Mau both deliver quality vocals throughout. This is a calling card for the music they record and release as a duo, and is just as much a strength also when they explore the progressive metal tradition on this album. With carefully controlled vocals as well as more powerful and emotional laden vocal deliveries being present throughout.

The manner in which Flaming Row mix and blend exotic music tendencies with acoustic and folk music, and apply those tendencies and side steps inside of a more traditional progressive metal sound and expression, is quite the enjoyable experience indeed. This is a band with a skilled and seasoned core, and on this occasion with a plethora of well known and some lesser known but equally skilled musicians providing additional details with their specific expertise. A solid album through and through.

Conclusion.
German band Flaming Row doesn't release new material all that often, but when they do so it is always music that is interesting and with a high quality being a bit of a trademark feature on all levels. If you love concept albums, enjoy a band that explores a more classic era based variety of progressive and find the addition of exotic music and folk music elements and details in such a context to be an additional bonus, this is an album that should charm you from start to finish. And in particular if you also appreciate high quality vocals throughout a production of this specific kind.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, June 2026

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/flamingrow