MARSBÉLI KRÓNIKÁK (MARTIAN CHRONICLES)

Undoubtfully SOLARIS belong among the best progressive rock bands delivering some awesome music during the 80's.They were formed in 1980 in Budapest by students Robert Erdesz (keys), Attila Kollar (flutes,keys), Istvan Czigman (guitars), Vilmos Toth (drums) and Attila Seres (bass).After winning a third place among 137 bands at a local pop/rock contest,their song ''Solaris'' was published on SP after the competition.SOLARIS kept rehearsing and developing,as Toth was replaced by Ferenc Raus and Seres by Tamas Pocs.Their tough efforts were taped on the LP ''Marsbeli kronikak'' (Martian chronicles) in 1984,based on the eponymous book of Ray Bradbury.

It is really thrilling to find out that a band dared to deliver such a non-commercial album during the 80's.Trully uncomparable,''Marsbeli kronikak'' is an unusual amalgam of grandiose symphonic rock, spacey/electronic prog and flute-driven rock.Imagine ANYONE'S DAUGHTER's or ROUSSEAU's sensitivity and JETHRO TULL's power blended with TANGERINE DREAM's effects and electronics and the spacey feeling of ELOY.The musicianship takes the listener to another dimension,as the raw guitar riffs are battling with Kollar's flutes and the keyboard effects bastardize the melodic lines.Numerous intricate interplays in here will leave you speechless,the melody is also present under the solos of Istvan Czigman,while the synthesizers create pictures from another world.80's were a difficult period for progressive rock,but with bands like this one the spirit went one in a fearless way.Absolutely amazing,epic and grandiose symphonic rock with power,beauty and delicacy at the same time.Highly recommended!