Babyblauen Seiten is the most comprehensive European and German language website for progressive music with over 23,000 reviews of 15,000 albums by 6,000 bands and is placed in the top 20 of review websites equal to Pitchfork Media.

Siggy Zielinski a reviewer on Babyblauen who specializes in electronic, experimental, prog, jazz, jazz-rock, metal and folk music, wrote a wonderful review of ‘Metallia‘.

He writes:

Only after a few passages does the open music lover begin to discover that the pieces are multi-layered and rich in detail and that the electric guitar is only used as one means of expression among many. Besides the parts for the guitars and drums, one discovers the ethnically coloured percussion, the creative rhythms and breaks and the polyphonic, mostly very wild vocals as well as the more extreme and unusual sounds that one can elicit from the human vocal cords. Now and then symphonic keyboard chords shimmer through and seem to suggest recognizable structures in the often shamanic songs. In such moments the voice of Oh. may remind of some well-known singers, most probably Kate Bush.

Thus, in parts the music reveals a rather experimental character. Like “Bee”, for example, which begins with solos for the acoustic guitar and then develops into an almost apocalyptic-appearing, sometimes industrial-influenced moods, which give an idea of the considerable depth that seems to have been created for the spatial mixing.

Thank you Siggy. Please visit Babyblauen Seiten to read the rest of the review in German

Google Translate and DeepL translator

Oh. is the name of a Greek musician who records her albums on her own as an accomplished multi-instrumentalist. She plays the electric guitar, the bass guitar, the drums and the violin – apparently all of them equally well and in an easy-going manner. Sometimes she also plays the keyboard and sings. On the present album with the melodious title “Metallia”, however, she only sings without words and with a mixed backing vocal, which then gives the impression of an additional instrument.

Nevertheless, I would not necessarily describe the music as “instrumental”. Singing plays an important role in what may seem to be a slightly chaotic arrangement, but in an extraordinary way.

On her website the sympathetic Greek explains that the EP “Metallia” is a six-part concept album, which was intended as a direct attack on our opinions and expectations in order to extract pure visions from our minds. A transformation should take place, if possible, to make gold out of the ordinary metal of our mind. You can see, the lady has a weakness for poetic, pictorial expression. Sometimes she also writes poems, or something comparable. The artwork also plays an important role for this versatile artist.

The very special music of Oh. seems to emanate from Progmetal and repeatedly revolves around the musician’s extensive guitar parts (such as solos and chord progressions). Only after a few passages does the open music lover begin to discover that the pieces are multi-layered and rich in detail and that the electric guitar is only used as one means of expression among many. Besides the parts for the guitars and drums, one discovers the ethnically coloured percussion, the creative rhythms and breaks and the polyphonic, mostly very wild vocals as well as the more extreme and unusual sounds that one can elicit from the human vocal cords. Now and then symphonic keyboard chords shimmer through and seem to suggest recognizable structures in the often shamanic songs. In such moments the voice of Oh. may remind of some well-known singers, most probably Kate Bush.

Thus, in parts the music reveals a rather experimental character. Like “Bee”, for example, which begins with solos for the acoustic guitar and then develops into an almost apocalyptic-appearing, sometimes industrial-influenced moods, which give an idea of the considerable depth that seems to have been created for the spatial mixing.

At the beginning the pieces seemed to me all too analogous and as if composed of various layers in panic and under a lot of pressure. But there is a method to this sympathetic madness and it seems entirely original to me now.

So if you want to hear a fairly experimental prog metal from a very talented multi-instrumentalist, “Metallia” is a good choice.

Babyblauen Seiten began as a German-language progressive rock mailing list [progrock-dt]. There a list participant asked for a list of bands about which one can get a wide access to Progressive Rock. From the list of suggested tapes, a collection of reviews developed and in July 1999 a German-language progressive rock encyclopedia was developed.

The main body of the site are reviews of Progressive Rock albums, subgenres such as Canterbury Sound, Art Rock, Neo-Prog, Retro Prog, New Prog and Progressive Metal, Psychedelic Rock. Spacerock, Krautrock and Electronic Music. In addition, there is brief information on bands and artists of the genres. Other reviews include books on individual artists or bands and the entire Progressive Rock genre. The website is supplemented by introductory guides to certain sections of Progressive Rock, a glossary, FAQ and a link list, which also includes CD sources.

Babyblauen Seiten website
Babyblauen Seiten on Facebook
Babyblauen Seiten Group on Facebook

Since 2004, Babyblauen Seiten places in the top 20, including 2005 tied with Pitchfork Media in 8th Place.

There are currently 59 reviewers on Babyblauen Seiten, each writing between 15 and 1,500 reviews. The site has more than 23,000 reviews of 15,000 albums by 6,000 bands.