SYLVAN @ ProgDreams – Poppodium Boerderij (Zoetermeer, 23.08.2025)

(With thanks to Ela Williamson for her assistance with this review)

A few months ago, we saw Sylvan at the Midsummer Prog Festival. Back then, the band performed six songs, starting strong but ending abruptly due to a power failure. At Progdreams, however, not only did we get a second chance—we witnessed a concert that surpassed everything I’ve seen from this German prog band so far.

The set opened with In Between, an epic track from Home, where soft interludes and heavy riff-driven passages flowed seamlessly into one another. It immediately set the tone: a captivating musical journey in which every band member played a vital role. Encoded at Heart and Trust in Yourself, both from their recent One to Zero, followed and showcased the band’s versatility. The former grew into a hymn-like highlight with soaring vocals from Marco Glühmann, while the latter burst open into a powerful, anthem-like performance full of uplifting energy.

Next came The Colors Changed, for me always one of the emotional high points. Its melodic layering and expressive guitar work by Johnny Beck came vividly to life. During this piece, glowing sticks were handed out in the audience, adding to the atmosphere. Not really my thing, but I couldn’t resist waving along for a moment. Vapour Trail brought a more subdued mood, carried by the warm keyboard textures of Volker Söhl and the subtle yet solid foundation of bassist Sebastian Harnack and drummer Matthias Harder. The first part closed with the dramatic In Chains, which this time—thankfully—unfolded without interruption into its intense climax.

What had been missing at Midsummer, we were able to experience fully now: a selection from their masterpiece Posthumous Silence. This concept album from 2006 tells a story of loss, pain, and reconciliation across fifteen interconnected songs. Though not performed in full, the band delivered a breathtaking excerpt including A Kind of Eden, Pane of Truth, The Colors Changed (this time in the album’s context) and the title track Posthumous Silence. Each song carried the same emotional depth and intensity that left such a strong mark on listeners nearly twenty years ago.

The performance was amplified by stunning visuals projected behind the band and atmospheric lighting that created a nearly cinematic experience. Everything that evening fell perfectly into place: music, imagery, lights, soundbalance and emotion. For me as a photographer, it also meant capturing my best Sylvan photos ever—and I’ve taken quite a few already.

What made this show truly special was not only the selection from Posthumous Silence but also the sheer intensity with which the band played. Marco gave everything—physically and emotionally—while the group functioned as one organic unit. The interplay between them radiated pure joy. 

For me personally, Posthumous Silence remains a milestone in progressive music. If I had to take only a handful of albums to a deserted island, this one would absolutely be among them. It’s the album I’ve listened to the most and still today it moves me as if I were hearing it for the first time.

With a solid core of Marco Glühmann (vocals), Johnny Beck (guitar), Volker Söhl (keyboards), Sebastian Harnack (bass), and Matthias Harder (drums), Sylvan once again proved at ProgDreams why they’ve been at the forefront of European progressive rock since their 1999 debut Deliverance. This concert was a reminder of just how stirring, poetic and intense live progressive rock can be.