EPONYMUS II

The career of Mathieu Bouchard with Spaced Out lasted only a couple of years and he was replaced by newcomer Louis Cote.However he participated on a pair of track recordings of the group's second album, which also featured several guest musicians on acoustic guitars, sax and vocals.The new album ''Eponymus II'' was recorded at Illusion III, L'Astroner and Cyberlogy Studio and came out in 2001, as expected on Unicorn Digital.

Spaced Out is not your typical Fusion band.They have a fairly progressive sound with very complex instrumental structures, full of complicated changes and unexpected breaks, inspired by MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA and BRAND X, and their style is delivered in a very personal way through a modern production and the tendency towards heavier, powerful material.The level of compositions is trully high with very dense instrumental themes, split between virtuosic solos, bombastic interplays and dissonant passages.Technically the band is even better with many ALAN HOLDSWORTH-like guitar runs and quirky keyboards in the vein of DEREK SHERINIAN.All tracks are written by the band's leader Antoine Fafard, the thing that makes Spaced Out so unique.Thus, the bass lines are really upfront in the mix, Farfard's performance is really phenomental and the reason ''Eponymus II'' flirts often with Avant-Fusion.No weak moments in here, just rich, energetic and passionate Progressive/Fusion with tons of shifting climates and pleasant breaks.

Really cool and strongly recommended stuff.Not the best album for Prog beginners, but definitely a nice purchase for fans of complex instrumental Progressive Rock and rising bass stars...3.5 stars.