Review JASON BIELER AND THE BARON VON BIELSKI ORCHESTRA “The Escapologist”

It was 1991 when a band called Saigon Kick released their self-titled debut album. It was a fusion of rock, metal and a 60’s vibe that caused quite a buzz within the metal community and beyond. Guitarist Jason Bieler was one of the founding members of the band and has been releasing solo albums since the late 90s, sometimes as Jason Bieler and The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra.

The latter is also the sender of a new longplayer called “The Escapologist” with Bieler at the helm. It is the third studio album from the band, which also features Andee Blacksugar (g), Edu Cominato (d) and John Niemann (b).

Jason Bieler’s latest effort contains ten songs that cover a wider range of sounds. There is the catchy “Stars Collide”; a song that shows the bandleader’s roots in rock. The start of the album, however, is harder. The heavy pounding “Industrious” is a very dynamic song that comes with some layers and twists while “Savior” shows another color of Bieler’s musical approach. The very rhythmic song is complex and comes with some samples while still fitting into the context of the album. It is a song that gives you the feeling of restlessness before the aforementioned “Stars Collide” brings you back to the world of melodies.

These songs are representative of what “The Escapologist” is all about. It is eclectic and layered music. It is a creative outlet with music that is rooted in rock and sometimes metal and at the same time never becomes predictable. That’s also the case when the acoustic “Hollow” reveals its tangible core before “Zombies & Black Swans” takes over.

Another interesting track is “Space Debris”. With a Beatle-esque vibe, the song adds another aspect to the fusion of sounds on this album. It is a rather light-hearted song, even though the general mood of the album, including the lyrics, is a bit darker.

“The Escapologist” is a mélange of sounds and influences, and while the album does not follow a specific direction, it does have a direction. It is the unexpected and the unpredictable that shapes the record and makes it a musical kaleidoscope. This album is 100% Jason Bieler. It is an exciting mix of music, entertaining for much longer than just one listen.