As you’d probably guess, being a former lead guitarist in Obscura requires some savage chops. Under his alter-ego/solo moniker “Fountainhead,” Tom Geldschläger put the hurtin’ on “Sermon of the Seven Suns” from Akroasis. While this exclusive playthrough of the track consists of all the fretless guitar parts, Fountainhead actually re-recorded the entire song from scratch, fetching Jacopo Rossi’s (Antropofagus, Dark Lunacy) help with some fretless bass and drum programming by Noyan Tokgözoğlu (NYN). So, you know, dude’s got massive production skills too.
His work with Obscura and in the playthrough above speaks volumes about his talent, but Fountainhead’s solo project is undoubtedly where he shines. I don’t get excited about much in the way of “progressive” music anymore because I’m a crotchety old man who still thinks 1998-2001 Opeth is the pinnacle of extreme prog metal, but Fountainhead’s got something truly special going on. His lead guitar voice is captivating and unlike anything I’ve heard in recent memory.
You can check out Reverse Engineering, released last August, (among his other work) here. For all else, a visit to this page should keep you well informed.
