BI KYO RAN

It's quite a surprise to realize that a band from Japan has adubted this kind of sound.So far I was only aware of japanese bands that have a more synphonic or sympho/fusion sound.But BI KYO RYAN are another story.This is a progressive rock trio with A sound totaly close to KING CRIMSON.The first album of the band was published in 1982,but the Crimson-esque sound of the band resembles more to mid 70's...

The beginning is very dynamic with the 14 min epic ''Double''.First part of the track is very intersting with expressive japanese vocals,groovy rhythm in the vein of KING CRIMSON with maybe a touch of RUSH and a mellow break before the middle with nice guitar work,while the second part is a total disaster with the guitarist ripping off ROBERT FRIPP's solos and the rhythm section playing the same rhythm for 7 minutes! Very monotonous...''Cynthia'' isn't not a trace related to the rest of the album.Medieval atmospheric music blending Hammond organ,acoustic guitar and later flute and violin with a satisfying result...''Psycho'' is another Crimson-esque intro before another Crimson-esque track,''Monologue''...This track contains complex guitar work,lot of breaks and psychedelic vocals that at the end it sounds rather boring...The closer is another epic,the 13 min. ''Warning''.Again we have to deal with a track somekind split in two parts.The mellow violin start is followed by psychedelic vocals and decent guitar work and the second part contains Frippian guitars and some really enjoyable drumming accompanied by heavy bass lines...

It's obvious that the hero of the band is the guitarist Kunio Suma.Without his overall good performance this band would be just another mediocrity.However the good guitar work saves this work from being just another album in a collection and I'll rate BI KYO RYAN's debut with close to 3 stars...