POCHAKAITE MALKO

This was love at first listen for me. I didn't realize that there would be such a Zeuhl flavour to this music, then I found some sites who actually list this band under Zeuhl. Some of these guys were in a MAGMA cover band, while the bass player was in the great Zeuhl band KOENJIHYAKKEI. Interesting as well that keyboard player Kazuo Ogino is from the band GHOST. He composed most of the songs on this album. Certainly the Zeuhl sound comes from the bass / drum duo, but I was also impressed that there are two keyboardists in this band. They really fill out the sound with the vintage keys, mellotron, synths, piano and organ.

"G-13" opens with all these intricate sounds that mesh so well together. Some great organ and piano in this one. Heavy drums and bass create a lot of bottom end. Check out the hammond organ 5 minutes in. This is the perfect song to open with. "Ukraine" features a pounding rhythm that includes piano. It gets heavy after 2 minutes. The soundscape is filled with beautiful sounds like a UNIVERS ZERO song. "Lanka" opens with a flury before settling down. Hammond organ comes screaming in after 2 minutes. I'd love to see this song played live because there is so much going on. Incredible ! "Cat Field" is really the first laid back tune. Light drums and keys lead the way. Mellotron waves. It picks up a little 1 1/2 minutes in.

"Funeral" opens with piano. This has a dark atmosphere with mellotron. The piano is slowly played, the mood is haunting. This song brings to mind UNIVERS ZERO. "Arrhythmia" is an uptempo blitz. The song settles down 4 minutes in briefly with mellotron. "Trinity" features a guest guitarist playing relaxing melodies in this laid back intro. Percussion follows leading the way as the tempo picks up a little. "5th Element" is dark with drums and synths to open. A jazz vibe 2 minutes in as some guest female vocal melodies arrive. Lots of piano 3 1/2 minutes in. "Acid Rain" is an interesting track with a heavy sound as piano and synths play over top. "Holy Mountain" ends the album on a high. Haha. Some excellent piano as bass and drums pound away. Mellotron floods. I love the sound 2 1/2 minutes in.

If your into Zeuhl or dark Rio-Prog like UNIVERS ZERO you need to check this out. Heck, if your into keyboards at all you will get giddy listening to this incredible recording.