PEACE AMONG THE RUINS

Presto Ballet is a band formed around the excellent guitar player Kurt Vanderhoof of famous thrash metal band from the '80's glory Metal Church. He also had a hard rock band named simply Vanderhoof. Now, I was was surprised to see a musician who was one of the most influencial in thrash zone 20 years ago to come with a total diffrent aproach with Presto Ballet - progressive rock. The music is totaly diffrent from the two bands mentioned above, Presto Ballet combines very well the heavy prog moments with some fantastic symphonic arrangemets with great harmonies and beautiful vocal lines. The band is something a la Styx, Uriah Heep, Kansas with a lot in sound of late '70's. The first album released in 2005 named Peace among the ruins is a total winner for me, the combination of old and new is brilliantly hre, the moog interludes with the guitar are excellent. The vocal parts are great, Scot Albright is good singer who fits perfect in this kind of music. Ex of greatness are The fringes, vocal parts are great, with bombastic arrangements and great musicianship, Find the time is another worthy one, with great mellotron added to give that special '70's feel. Well, for mee a total winner and another example of greatness in prog music, beautiful, yet complex arrangements combined with superb vocal lines. An album that desearve much more then is seen today. Not a masterpiece for sure, but a very good debute album, their second one is even better.3-3.5 stars.