Review RENDEZVOUS POINT “Dream Chaser”

The first time I came across a band called Rendezvous Point was when they opened for Long Distance Calling in 2016. I saw the band play in the small room of 013 in Tilburg, NL, and what the group delivered was exquisite rock.

Rendezvous Point hail from Kristianstad, Norway. Formed in 2010, the band consists of Leprous drummer Baard Kolstad, keyboarder Nicolay Tangen Svennæs (Ihsahn, Bernhoft, Emilie Nicolas), singer Geirmund Hansen, guitarist Petter Hallaråker and bassist Gunn-Hilde Erstad.

Leprous is actually a good way to describe how Redezvous Point sounds. It’s progressive rock with some heavier elements. At the same time the keyboards contribute with a melodic framework and add some density to the musical world of Rendezvous Point.

The five-piece band adds layer upon layer without losing the context of a good song. The opener “Don’t Look Up” is a good example. A grooving bassline and interesting samples lead to well-crafted vocals, perfectly presented by Geirmund Hansen while a roaring guitar alternates with soulful vocals in “Utopia”. These different expressions make “Dream Chaser” a very entertaining album, as there is always something new to discover. In this context I also recommend “The Tormented”. It’s a heavy song, more prog metal than prog rock. It’s the most complex song on the album and a dark one too. The slightly distorted vocals add a dystopian vibe to the machine-like song, with the human element breaking through in the chorus.

Thematically, the album focuses on the striving for perfection. Whether it is an artist aiming to create the perfect artwork or you personally looking for perfection.

Food for thought are the lyrics of “Wildflower”, which deals with the retirement of older people due to their age, while it’s old and conceited men who have power and even lead countries. That’s pure irony.
The end of the album is very melancholic.

“Still Water” is about the moment between life and death. Built on dramatic soundscapes, the song is a very strong spot on the album and a great way to finish off an intense release. The five-piece have found a creative way to express the end of something with some sounds of hope. Lyrics and music go hand in hand, making the final chapter of this release an impactful one.

“Dream Chaser” is the third effort from Rendezvous Point and the Norwegians have taken their sound to the next level. At times reminiscent of bands like Leprous in their approach to music, the band has nevertheless found its own musical identity and is well on its way to becoming a force to be reckoned with in the world of progressive music.