ESCAPING FROM THE HANDS OF GOD

To avoid any confusions, Sens changed their name soon after the release of ''Les regrets d'Isidore D.'' to Saens.The band was reached by the Cyclops label in order to sign a contract and so it happened.Another ambitious work by the French progsters was unleashed in 2001, entitled ''Escaping From the hands of god''.

Along with the name change there is also a switch from French to English lyrics on this album so the group could be tasted by a wider audience.Over 70 minutes long, the new Saens album contains six compositions, five of which are over 11 minutes long.About the content of the material the music is fairly complicated, contemporary Neo/Symphonic Prog, built around haunting atmospheres, expressive vocals and complex songwriting, lacking some of the good melodies of the debut, which are sacrified in the name of an intricate, multi-parted style full of adventurous orchestrations, theatrical lyricism and grandiose performances.The tracks are pretty tight, stylistically somewhere between MARILLION, YES, MINIMUM VITAL, KING CRIMSON and TWIN AGE, with numerous changing climates and shifting tempos, pronounced by emphatic keyboard parts and sharp electric guitars as well as some fair doses of acoustic interludes.Surprisingly for such kind of a release, there are even some dissonant passages in here with a weird, almost Avant-Garde atmosphere, definitely an original addition by the group.The atmosphere is pretty dark with injections of dreamy, more ethereal movements, where eventually some melodious textures appear, but overall the listening contains different influences and well-hidden ideas, revealed with its spin of the album.The two longest pieces, ''Babel lights'' and ''Alone'', are possibly the best ones, impressive, blasting Progressive Rock with nice lyrical moves and tight musicianship, featuring both melancholic and more upbeat tunes.

Among the very complex works of the genre.Interesting album, which could have been even better if a little care was shown in the more melodic parts.Strongly recommended to all fans of captivating Progressive Rock, who can't get enough of long and irritating compositions...3.5 stars.