Review 'Lunar Clock II' by Empire Music magazine (Germany)

By Martin Dambeck of Empire Music magazine (June 2026, nr. 165)
(Review translated from German)

As interconnected as the world seems to be, one can still make astonishing discoveries in the depths of the internet. Lunar Clock definitely falls into this category. The band from Amsterdam is likely only known to insiders, even within the Netherlands. This is a shame and should change immediately. Six years ago, the Dutch group released the purely digital album The Scream of Nature, a concept album inspired by the work of Edvard Munch.

The successor, simply titled II, is now also available as a CD (incidentally with two quite different covers). It is not a concept album, but in terms of content, the eight songs explore various philosophical questions. Lunar Clock is a trio consisting of Robin Boer (keyboards, lead vocals), Achille Regazzoni (bass, keyboards, FX, twelve-string guitar), and Karsten van Straten (drums, percussion, FX, keyboards, backing vocals). Electric guitars are completely absent (though they are not really missed), and, naturally, the keyboard instruments dominate the album.

II is an incredibly exciting album that creates a cozy retro feeling with its warm yet clear sound image. If one listens only superficially, the impression of harmony and melodiousness predominates. But at the same time, the songs are, in an unobtrusive way, incredibly intricate and complex. The variable keyboard playing brings back memories of ELP, Tony Banks, or Manfred Mann. In general, anyone who cannot get enough of fine keyboard cascades will love this record.
The soft vocals are reminiscent of PFM or early Barclay James Harvest. At the same time, classical elements, light jazz influences, and soundtrack-like passages flow into the music. With II, Lunar Clock has released a wonderfully elegant, melodious, sophisticated, and cohesive album that, for me, is among the absolute highlights of the year so far! You can find the album on the internet at lunarclock.nl.
© Lunar Clock
Author: © Lunar Clock

Lunar Clock - Cinematic art rock from The Netherlands