Flame Dream - 1978 - Calatea

(43:46; 3VE Records [2026 Edition] )

Track list:
1. Gate to Calatea 6:04
2. Survey from the Summit 5:34
3. Volcano 11:28
4. Pyramids 5:15
5. Apocalypse of Sounds 6:42
6. Gate Out of Calatea 8:43

Line-up:
Pit Furrer - drums & percussion
Urs Hochuli - bass, vocals
Roland Ruckstuhl - keyboards
Peter Wolf - flutes, saxophones, vocals
Urs Waldispühl - vocals, guitars


Prolusion.
Swiss band Flame Dream had their initial phase as an active band between 1977 and 1986, releasing six full length albums in that period. The band reformed a few years back and besides releasing one more album since then they have also reissued the albums they released in their first active spell as a band. Earlier this year it was time for their debut album "Calatea" to be made available again.

Analysis.
This album is very much a product of its time and its era, with an argument possible to be had that this is a production that would have made much more of an impact if it had appeared in 1975 rather than in 1978. Be that as it may be, vintage era progressive rock of the more adventurous variety is what Flame Dream crafted all the way back in 1978.

The compositions here will typically move back and forth between several different styles and orientations throughout, making good use of contrasting elements in the individual sections as well as from one sequence to the next. Without ever really appearing to have a firm specialty here, other than being skilled at moving the song and the development back and forth across multiple styles, sounds and conventions. Hence just about all of the compositions here come with a good handful of different expressions, moods and atmospheres.

Dreamladen, floating and flowing passages comparable to Camel are just as important here as quirkier, more expressive movements that begs for a name like Gentle Giant to be name-dropped. Elegant and romantic constructions not too far removed from the likes of Genesis are very much present, but darker and more ominous sounding parts that to my mind are closer to the likes of Van der Graaf Generator are very much present too. With a little bit of additional punch applied in some cases, but where more distinct forays into the jazzrock tradition and careful and often effective additions of folk music inspired flavors is a bit of a constant throughout too. We also get the occasional piano motif that to my mind at least is a more direct reference to the classical music tradition, and possibly with some parts here and there that may have borrowed an idea or two from ELP to boot.

This is very much vintage progressive rock of the adventurous and inclusive kind, and with a mix and production that emphasize the 1970's tendencies explored on this production in very much an appropriate manner.

Conclusion.
It has been quite the delightful and often interesting experience for me to explore the classic era albums by this Swiss band. I do find that this debut album of theirs may be the most interesting of the lot, or at least the creation that comes with the greatest amount of variety and also being closest to the mid 1970s progressive rock tradition in terms of sound, variety and execution. If you tend to treasure the more adventurous and inclusive varieties of progressive rock from the mid 1970s, this is an album you are likely to find to be quite the rewarding experience. A solid album for those who enjoy vintage era progressive rock of this specific variety.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, July 2026

Links:
https://flamedreammusic.com/