My lesser known and unknown new prog bands thread

B

BAUER – En Otra Ciudad (***)

- Bauer their first album Astronauta Olvidado blew me away, what a wonderful and often very compelling musical experience (with hints from Radiohead, Porcupine Tree and early Pink Floyd), loaded with Mellotron and sensitive electric guitar along melancholical vocals. So high expectation towards this new album, does Bauer succeed to delight me again?<p> Well, to be honest, it is not at the same level because the music is a bit more subdued and the dynamics between the dreamy parts and bombastic pieces are less intense. But this doesn’t mean En Otra Ciudad is a disappointing album because the compositions are still very tasteful like the compelling first song Dock Surf  (propulsive with a psychedelic undertone like Hawkwind and Porcupine Tree with fiery guitar and spacey keyboards), El Hombre De Blanco (beautiful interplay between the omnipresent Fender Rhodes piano, howling guitar and fluent drums) and the mellow, very moving Avanza (majestic violin-Mellotron and melancholic vocals). Remarkable are the The Shadows (Hank B. Marvin)-like guitar runs in some tracks. The raw guitar parts are a captivating contrast with the dreamy vocals and soaring keyboards.<p>I have to say that this new album sounds less exciting than Bauer their first but it is still a pleasant new effort that deserves a listen, I recommend it to fans of Radiohead, Porcupine Tree and early Pink Floyd.

BEARDFISH — Sleeping In Traffic: Part One (***1/2)

- When I started to review this album, I had the idea that this was a new USA band with their debut release but thanks to Prog-jester (who did the other Beardfish review), I discovered this band is from Sweden and somewhere I read that they will perform on a Dutch progrock festival in June or July.

The sound of Beardfish on their third CD is quite alternating and I am impressed by the tasteful arrangements, strong vocals and instrumental variety: the short intro On The Verge Of Sanity contains accordeon, then the next track Sunrise delivers good interplay between guitar and organ, an interlude with warm piano play and in my opinion the vocals are an extra instrument! The other seven tracks range from dreamy, swinging and bombastic to fluent rhythms and even blues like in Harmony featuring delicate work on guitar, organ and vocals. Very progressive/symphonic are the compositions The Ungodly Slob (fiery guitar, lush organ and a sensational synthesizer solo), Year Of The Knife (swinging with the sound of the clavinet, a biting guitar solo and suddenly in the final part a short violin solo) and Same Old Song (wonderful keyboards, varied guitar play and a compelling final part).

I you are up to varied and adventurous prog, this new album by Beardfish will delight you!

BIGELF - Hex (****) 

— The saying is “third time lucky”, well BIGELF’s (USA) third album is a perfect example, what a thrilling experience! Their music is based upon the heavy sound of BLACK SABBATH featuring fat guitar-riffs, a leaden rhythm-section and OSBOURNE-like vocals. Other obvious influences are The BEATLES (especially John Lennon), PINK FLOYD (Gilmourian slide guitar) and KING CRIMSON (floods of violin-Mellotron). The music is dynamic and alternating, from ballads to heavy rock with a lot of progressive tendencies like the integration of keyboards (Mellotron, Hammond organ, piano and synthesizers), changing climates, varied tempos and spectacular breaks. The distinctive vocals are powerful and have often a cynical undertone. BIGELF’s evolution is stunning, I’m more pleased with their progressive approach than the predictable and boring prog (metal) from a lot of known current bands. If you are up to heavy and compelling progrock, BIGELF is yours!

BIJOU - El Profeta (****)

- I discovered this new Spanish band while surfing on a Spanish site. The very positive review seduced me to order it, what a discovery! Bijou is an instrumental five piece band that plays in the 24-carat symphonic rock tradition with a modern sound. The seven compositions (running time more than 1 hour) are absolutely marvellous: lush and varied keyboards (from sparkling piano to bombastic orchestrations), very moving duo- guitarwork (many sensitive and howling soli, harder-edged riffs or twanging guitars), a splendid and energetic rhythm-section and lots of shifting moods, accellarations and great soli on keyboards and guitar. A very strong point is that Bijou plays wonderful and captivating progrock with an own identity, what an incredible high level for a new band with a debut-CD! The highlight on this CD is the epic titletrack (3 parts, almost 25 minutes) in which they manage to create a very captivating Morish climate featuring keyboards that sounds like the flamenco guitar in the piece "Zambra mora", one of the most Arab inspired flamenco rhythms. I keep my five stars for the next album!? Highly recommended for all progrock aficionados!

(THE) BLACK NOODLE PROJECT — Play Again (***1/2)

- It’s the third release of this French five piece progrock band but I had never heard of The Black Noodle Project, not really a progrock name or I must have missed the name is derived from Tolkien’s The Lord Of The Rings...

The 11 compositions sound very melodic and harmonic with the emphasis on creating emotion and atmospheres. I was often carried away by the huge tension between the mellow parts and the more bombastic pieces: very tasteful embellished with a soaring organ sound that reminds me of Rick Wright his Farfisa (70-73 Pink Floyd) and sensitive electric guitar featuring a great build up and intense final part in Tomorrow Birds Will Sing, a slow rhythm with Fender Rhodes piano and emotional, a bit theatrical vocals in the melancholic The Great Northern Hotel, between soaring and fiery rock in Garden Of Delights, spacey organ and swinging piano and clavinet in the compelling, Floydian-inspired To Pink From Blue and the highlight Happy End: first melancholic piano and vocals, then sensitive violin work and finally an excellent ‘grand finale’ featuring breathtakng interplay between violin, piano and electric guitar, goose bumps!

If you like 70-73 Pink Floyd, early Porcupine Tree and the melancholic progressive pop from bands like The Cure, Coldplay and Radiohead, check out this wonderful and compelling new French band The Black Noodle Project!

C

CANVAS – Digital Pigeon (***1/2)

- This band is from the USA, in 2000 Canvas released their first album entitled The Rhythm And The Rhyme (a promo-CD), two years later followed by their second effort Avenues. Then there was silence until this year (2007) when Digital Pigeon came out, the brandnew Canvas album. So how about those five years between their second and third CD, did Canvas use their time?

Well, I was very pleasantly surprised about the huge variety and tasteful arrangements, this band can write compositions and make good music! Canvas hosts many musicians (you can read the names on the inside of the booklet on every track), the main members are drummer John Swope, bas player Matt Schweitzer, keyboardist/trumpet player Chris Cobel, multi-instrumentalist Tom Mattem en singer Greg Lounsberry. Tow of the fourteen tracks are insturmentals: the swinging Spider featurin gtrumpet and sensitive electric guitar and the exciting On Second Though with sparkling piano, swinging bass, fiery guitar and powerful trumpet. Remarkable are two songs that are written by known musicians: the late Jaco Pastorius write Teen Town (a blend of jazzrock and experimental with strong bass runs) and the Crichton brothers from Saga composed Catwalk (swirling flute and fiery and propulsive guitar work in teh vein of ... Saga). The other tracks are a pleasant blend of varied styles and atmospheres: dreamy with howling guitar in Ghost Town, swinging with piano, trumpet and fiery guitar in Armchair Voyager, acoustic guitar with warm vocals and a surprising synthesizer solo in A Reptile Dysfuntion, acoustic rhythm guitar and violin in the folky Lost In Transit and sensational keyboard play in the final song Move The Earth. And the melodic opener The Dark Side Of The Sun is very similar to early Camel because of the pleasant vocals, organ waves, moving guitar and warm climate. During my listening sessions I noticed the many strong points in Canvas their music: a high musical level of the musicians, four good singers, the sound of woodwind instruments deliver an extra dimension (like in Dutch band Alquin) en the work on guitar and keyboards is very varied and worked out very well. If you are up to varied prog, this is an album to check out!

CHAOS CODE – The Tragedy Of Leaps And Bounds (***1/2)

 - This is the second album by USA progrock band Chaos Code that features a guest musician on tenor saxophone and harmony vocals. Their sound is very melodic, pleasant, varied and often contains lots of dynamics. I also enjoyed the strong and tasteful work on (often harder-edged) guitar and keyboards. The short first track Unity has a bit ominous climate with Fripperian-like, quite fiery guitarplay. The following song Another Hand delivers lots of flowing shifting moods (from dreamy to heavy outbursts) with good work on saxophone, flute, acoustic guitar and propulsive electric guitar, very dynamic! Other interesting tracks are

A Reason To Kill (alternating with exciting guitar and sensational synthesizers), The Creature Self (captivating atmospheres, strong breaks and again great work on guitar and keyboards) and the long and compelling final song Distance (sparkling Fender piano with acoustic guitar and a wonderful, symphonic prog ‘grand finale’ with lush keyboards and a sensitive electric guitar solo. Chaos Code made three albums between 1999 and 2005, I am looking forward to listen to the other two because I am delighted about this strong effort with lots of original ideas!

COMBINATION HEAD – Combination Head (***1/2)

- This is a new UK progrock formation featuring a keyboardplayer, guitarist/bass player and three different drummers for the eight compositions. Their eponymous, instrumental debut CD delivers fluent and dynamic music with a lush keyboard sound (including a wide range of ‘vintage keyboards’) and great interplay by the musicians. The sound is melodic and very pleasant, I cannot trace weak songs and especially the work on the Hammond organ is outstanding like in Clover RD R.B.C. (captivating and alternating, from dreamy with piano to compelling with a bluesy Hammond sound and an accellaration with fiery guitar) and Devonshire Crescent (swirling solo and splendid drumming). Halfway this CD a mellow, very beautiful classical piano piece is a short mellow interlude but in general Combination Head delivers swinging tracks like the Jeff Beck (Wired-era) sounding The Bonk (flashy synthesizer – and biting electric guitar solo along powerful Hammond runs), the ELP-inspired Clover RD DEF (exciting Hammond – and Moog sound and howling guitar) and the hypnotizing, electronic oriented Fourteen (a slow rhythm with spacey synthesizers). The final song For What? Is a very strong ‘musical goodbey’: a fluent rhythm with fiery guitar and a swinging end featuring a spectacular synthesizer solo and again fiery guitar.

Highly recommended!

CONQUEROR — 74 Giorni (****)

- After their debut CD Istinto (2003) and the successor Storie Fuori Dal Tempo (2005), the Italian five piece band Conqueror has released its third studio album entitled 74 Giorni in 2007. Again the band has made notable progress, I am even impressed by the ten melodic, tasteful and varied compositions (some instrumental) delivering a wide range of instruments: a wonderful blend of soaring keyboards, powerful bass runs, a tight drum beat and sensitive electric guitar in Il Viaggio, lots of shifting moods with pleasant work on guitar and flute in Orca, a Sixties-like organ sound (The Animals/The Doors), wah-wah guitar, a flute solo and fluent synthesizer flights in teh alternating Non Maturi per l'Adilà, romantic piano play in the short Cormonrani, tasteful keyboards and varied guitar work (from heavy riffs to use of the tremolo arm) in L'ora del Parlare, Fender Rhodes piano and jazzy guitar in the short Miraggi and sensational Minimoog-like runs and a compelling part with raw guitar and soaring flute in the captivating Nebbia ad Occhi Chiusi. So lots of variety and soli on different instruments (from guitar and flute to saxophone and organ), this album grows every listening session and I am sure it will carry you away to Progheaven!

CREPUSCULE – L’Hymne A La Vie (****)

- This is a German band, rooted in 1984 and founded by the brothers Franco and Gerald Rouvinez, both born in the French part of Switzerland. The absolute highight in their long history is a joint performance with the legendary French progrock band Ange. In 1996 Crépuscule released their debuut CD entitled Les Lunes Se Lèvent that contains a blend of rock and French ‘chansons’, followed by the ‘unplugged’ CD Signe De Vie with old and new songs. And now we can enjoy the new album L’Hymne A La Vie, first part of a musical project, the next album will be released within 3 years.

Despite the hints to the music of Ange in this intro, only the powerful, expressive and sometimes theatrical vocals reminds me of early Ange, like in the songs Prologue RE and L’Armada. But in general the 19 melodic songs (in five parts between 3 and 21 minutes) are very tastefully arranged with the focus on the elements variety and creativity, what a wonderful and often compelling music this is: a slow rhythm with howling guitar runs (in the vein of Steve Rothery) and lush organ, followed by a tight rhythm with propulsive guitar riffs in Après Un Pas, harpsichord-like flights and slide-guitar in the dreamy L’Arbre Del Arrêt, a captivating contrast  between soaring keyboards with theatricals vocals and a compelling rhythm with howling guitar runs in Prologue RE, swinging neo-prog with ‘slap’ bas work and a delicate synthesizer solo in La Créature, expressive vocals, beautiful play on acoustic – and electric guitar and a majestic grand finale with a church organ sound and guitar in the moving Moeurs, an electronic oriented atmosphere with wonderful keyboard work in Prologue EL and varied sounds and a final part with a bombastich church organ sound in Mort De L’Irréel.

For me “never a dull moment’ on this almost 70 minutes long CD, what a captivating prog/Art-rock, highly recommended to those who are up to French vocals!

By the way, the packaging is in DVD format and contains a huge booklet with lyrics in French and German and I have read that Crépuscule is planning to tour with a wonderful lightshow, video clips and masks, check out this amazing German band!

D SOUND - Balkan (***)

- This is the second album from Hungarian four piece band D Sound. The opener "Karpat- medencei hangulat" features a wonderful, a bit spacey climate with keyboards (mainly strings) and percussion. The build-up is strong when a sensitive electric guitar enters and the atmosphere gradually becomes more bombastic. The second song "Doromb" contains the same ethnic elements as fellow Hungarians Solaris, very disctinctive. Most of the following nine compositions alternates between mellow and more bombastic, often Mike Oldfield comes to my mind. It sounds very pleasant and melodic, the sound is very clear and the interplay between the guitars and keyboards is very inventive. On "Challangar" a slow rhythm culminates into a final part with heavy guitar riffs and the sound of the dramatic countdown and crash from the Challenger capsule. The magnum opus on this CD is "73 mp - Challangar 2. " (at about 13 minutes), it contains acoustic rhythm guitar and then the Mike Oldfield-like atmosphere enters, very beautiful. The track "Gyemant Nap" delivers a slow rhythm with a bombastic climate including propulsive drum beats and sensitive electric guitar. The final song "Kozelebb a Naphoz" has soaring keyboards and spacey, slightly distorted guitar runs. This is a very tasteful, varied and modern sounding album featuring pleasant keyboards and lots of Mike Oldfield-inspired climates, WONDERFUL!

DAY SIX - Eternal Dignity (***1/2)   

- This is a Dutch symphonic metal band that is rooted in the early Nineties when schoolfriends Dolf en Robbie (at about 11 years old) founded their first band named King Of Darkness but it became really serious in ’97 when the two friends formed Peanuts. In 2002 they changed their name into Day Six in 2002, in that year the band includes Daan Liebregts on drums, Dolf van Heugten on synthesizers, Nick Verstappen on bass and Robbie van Stiphout on guitars and vocals. Days Six made two CD’s until now, their sound is a blend of hardrock (Metallica) with ‘heavy progressive’ (Rush and Ayreon) in a very refreshing way.

The album Eternal Dignity (2003) sound mature and dynamic with powerful vocals, strong and fiery guitarplay, inventive keyboardwork and a tight rhythm-section. The seven compositions deliver music that is described by the band as ‘symphonic metal’. This fits more than progressive metal because Day Six their sound is not loaded with endless biting guitar - of flashy keyboard ‘scale-acrobatics’: it contains lots of fresh ideas and captivating shifting moods. An interesting album from a promising Dutch progrock band.

DIAPASAO – Opus 1 (****)

- This is a Brasilian trio in which the band members play keyboards, bass and acoustic guitar and drums, with guest musicians on violin and cello. Their debut CD has strong classical overtones, mainly due to the frequent work on the Grand piano.

1. Diapasoa (8.05) : What an impressive start: after sparkling work on harpsichord, accompanied by a fluent rhythm-section, a long piece on the Grand piano follows, I am blown away by Rodrigo Lana his skills on the keyboards, what a virtuosic! Then we hear orchestral keyboards and some flashy synthesizer lfights along a surprising break with swinging jazzy piano play (with hints from Keith Emerson).

2. Som Do Brasil (1.54) : A short song featuring wonderful work on piano and acoustic guitar including a beautiful duet that sounds very warm.

3. Sonata (6.08) : Aftera n intro with orchestral keyboards, a piece with melancholical piano follows, then it’s swinging time with the distinctive Hammond organ sound, obviously inspired by Keith Emerson. The rhythm-section plays outstanding. The final part is an impressive solo piece on piano.

4. Do Ceu Ao Inferno (7.51) : This composition features guest musicians on violin and cello, they match perfectly with the classical piano. After a solo piece, the music gradually turns into a bombastic sound with virtuosic piano.

5. Fuga (2.01) : This is chamber music delivering classical guitar (with a Spanish undertone) and the distinctive harpsichord, I love these instruments!

6. Noite A La Caipirinha (8.05) : A very swinging rhythm with sparkling piano and then a bombastic climate with orchestral keyboards and an adventurous rhythm-section.

7. Rock Espanhol (3.12) : A swirling solo piece on paino, very alternating, awesome!

8. Jazz (5.29) : Indeed, jazz rules in this song, we can enjoy very swinging, jazzy inspired piano work.

9. Piccolo Finale (0.57) : This final compsoition features a swinging and dynamic atmosphere with a funny end, a good contrast with the virtuosic climate on the whole album.

If you like keyboard-driven prog like ELP, Trace, Triumvirat or Ars Nova, this great debut CD by Brasilian band Diapasao will delight you!

DIMESION X - So ... This Is Earth (***) 

— Here is a USA band that makes heavy progressive rock featuring very alternating and dynamic compositions, loaded with shifting moods (mellow with classical piano to metal with heavy metal-riffs), propulsive drumming (often in the metal-vein) and many spectacular soli on keyboards and guitar (fiery and biting). The vocals (not my favorite element on this CD) evoke the sound of the Eighties like Spandau Ballet, often with a bit wailing/dramatic undertone. This is a promising band, personally I’m more pleased with their less self- indulgent and more varied approach of progmetal than Dream Theater but I think that all those millions fans who are hailing and praising Dream Theater on Prog Archives should give this band a chance. Not every part of this CD can keep my attention but most compositions deliver lots of interesting and exciting moments. So Dimension X have to mature in their compositions but THIS IS A PROMISING DEBUT-CD!

- After listening to the wonderful Doracor albums Transizione (2001) and Evanescenze (2005) I was very curious to this new album from multi-instrumentalist Corrado Sardella and his band. Well, again Doracor managed to make a compelling album that is inspired by mid-Genesis (like the track Dimensione 4) but this time less obviously than in the past. The compositions sound melodic and alternating featuring lots of howling guitar runs and pleasant work on keyboards (from soft choir-Mellotron waves and mellow Fender Rhodes piano to fat synthesizers). I also enjoyed the wide range of instruments like saxophone, vibraphone and violin like in the titletrack. The vocal parts are sung by a male and female singer, especially the song Il Giardino Di Peitra contains a great performance by Gianna Chilla, blended with biting electric guitar, very exciting! If you are up to compelling symphonic prog, this album is a tasteful and pleasant discovery.

DR. NO — El Bufo De La Cort (***1/2)

- What a surprise: a Catalonian (region around famous Spanish city Barcelona) progrock band with a English name on a Dutch label! On the cover you will notice a jester (in Spanish this is the album title ‘bufo de la cort’), this reference is not a coincidence because from the very first moment on the music is drenched into the early Marillion sound. Especially the first track “Arlequi” sounds like a Catalonian progrock version of “Market Square Heroes” featuring an up-tempo rhythm and a enthousiastic approach. But Dr. No is more than just another early Marillion sounding group. First the wonderful lush keyboards sound, delivered by three members, featuring lots of keyboards including strings, a grand piano and the Mellotron. Second the very tasteful and refined compositions, from dreamy to compelling and even bluesy (the short Estacion Pirenaica has hints from early Wishbone Ash). Third the splendid, very compelling electric guitarwork (with echoes from Latimer and Rothery) featuring lots of sensitive, often howling soli, excellent! And four the beautiful vocals in the Catalonian language, a mix of Spanish. French and Portuguese. This is a wonderful symphonic rock album.

DYONISOS – An Incidental Collection (***)

- The sound on this CD often comes mighty close to a David Gilmour album or it could have been ‘unknown post-Waters Pink Floyd sessions’, incredible! Especially the guitar and vocals are very similar to David Gilmour.

The 12 compositions sound pleasant and modern and the moods shift fluent from dreamy and spacey to mid-tempo and bombastic featuring lots of good guitar soli, from howling and fiery to some slide-guitar. I was often carried away by the splendid, very moving guitar work. The keyboards have a bit functional role delivering sensitive piano, organ waves and a few flashy synthesizer soli.

If you want to be flooded by Pink Floyd (post-Waers-era) inspired music or enjoy a Gilmour-tribute, this album is for you!

E

ECCENTRIC ORBIT-Attack Of The Martians (***1/2) 

- This is a four piece USA progrock formation. Some members have played in the progrock bands Pye Fyte (a ‘vintage’ keyboard heaven) and A Triggering Myth and on Gentle Giant covers albums. The line-up from Eccentric Orbit is Bill Noland on bass, Madeleine Noland on wind controlled synthesizer and keyboards, Mark Cella on drums and Derek Roeback on keyboards.

Despite the fact that some members played on Gentle Giant covers albums, Eccentric Orbit plays keyboard loaden progrock with strong echoes from ELP, the “Trilogy”-era. The five dynamic compositions feature a propulsive rhythm-section as a base for sumptuous keyboardplay with a leading role for the Hammond organ and Moog synthesizers, flight after flight, what a splendid tribute to ELP! In some songs we can trace the sound of the Fender Rhodes electric piano (imagine the legendary intro from “Riders on the storm” from The Doors), the Wurlitzer piano and the swinging clavinet. The strong title-track (3 parts) contains a bombastic duel between the Moog and Fender Rhodes. The even longer, very alternating track “Forbidden planet” (4 parts) starts with a spooky and hypnotizing climate, followed by lots of changes of atmosphere and tempo delivering many waves of a violin-Mellotron and runs on synthesizers, concluded by fragile pianoplay. Along ELP, this composition also evokes Ars Nova and other ELP-inspired Japanese bands like Social Tension and Deja Vu. The music on this instrumental CD is beyond original but sounds exciting.

ECHOLYN - The End Is Beautiful (***1/2) 

— This year I went to an Echolyn concert after watching their stunning DVD. Well, Echolyn blew me and the audience away, what a powerful sound and what a killer voice! On their new album “The end is beautiful” Echolyn has succeeded to capture the spirit ‘on stage’, what a dynamic and alternating sound and how elaborate the 8 compositions are.

1. Georgia pine (5.49) : A swinging rhythm and a powerful sound featuring raw vocals, evoking the early Kansas. The interplay is excellent, especially between the organ and rhythm- section. After a flashy synthesizer solo and a fiery electric guitar solo follows a break with emotional vocals and tender piano. Then heavy guitar-riffs, lush Hammond organ and again raw vocals. The music sound scaptivating and contains a lot of tension.

2. Heavy blue miles (6.48) : This composition is loaded with shifting moods and changes of accellaration, from slow with piano and fine vocals to fluent and bombastic with fiery electric guitar and floods of organ. Remarkable is the integration of brass (sax and trumpet), very distinctive are their organ-guitar interplay and the vocal hamronies (like Gentle Giant).

3. Lovesick morning (10.12) : A melancholical song (as you could expect from this title) with a slow rhythm, wailing vocals, several sound effects and trumpet play in the vein of Miles Davis. The build-up and final part are wonderful featuring a splendid solo on the lap-steel-guitar.

4. Make me sway (5:22) : Again lots of variation, from slow to mid-tempo and bombastic, all layered with lush Hammond organ, a fat guitar sound and powerful, inspired vocals. The pieces with sampled choir-Mellotron are awesome! The closing section contains a fine organ solo with propulsive drums and guitar riffs.

5. The end is beautiful (7:45) : The titletrack alternates between dreamy and fiery featuring great play on the slide-guitar and electric piano along nice vocal harmonies and strong interplay between organ and drums. The final part includes brass sounds and a fiery, very compelling guitar solo.

6. So ready (5:01) : This song starts with sounds-effects, then a lush and bombastic sound and a swinging rhtyhm featuring the distinctive Hohner D6 clavinet sound.

7. The arc of descent (Dancing in a motel just est of Lincoln) (5:46) : This track is mainly dreamy with melancholical vocals and tender piano, gradually the sound becomes more and more dramatic with dynamic interplay between drums and organ and howling electric guitar.

8. Misery, not memory (9:03) : The final composition is very alternating and loaded with heavy guitar-riffs, bombastic organ and powerful vocals. A strong part is with a swinging piano, often blended with the electric guitar. Remarkable are the ‘ambient samples’, the final part is again swinging featuring strong drums and inspired vocals, what an excellent and varied singer this man is!

During the years Echolyn has turned into an unique progrock band. With this album they have prooved that this USA band is on the level of other great bands like Spock’s Beard. Highly recommended!

EYE TO EYE – One In Every Crowd (***)

- This is a new French band who mentions in the booklet fellow Dutchman Arjen Lucassen as a very supportive and inspirational person, Eye To Eye has even covered the Ayreon track Back On Planet Earth.

Their sound is wonderful and alternating although I had to get used to the vocals. The strong guitarplay has echoes from David Gilmour and Stee Rothery because of the emotional overtones and flowing sound. The keyboard work changes from dreamy with sensitive piano to powerful organ waves and spectacular synthesizer flights. The two long compositions (both more than 15 minutes) are the highlights on this CD, first Love And Pain (very dynamic with howling guitar and tasteful and varied keyboards) and the alternating One Day (a strong contribution on violin and great guitar work delivering howling and biting runs).

Eye To Eye is a new and promising band with a good taste for atmosphere and dynamics, worth to discover for progheads who wants to explore the boundaries between symphonic – and heavy progressive.

EX-VAGUS – AMES VAGABONDES (***)

- This Swiss five-piece formation is rooted in 1995, their musical goal was to blend progressive rock and French vocals. The information about Ex-Vagus mentions : “the band joins together five authors and creators in a permanent creativity, having for ‘Leitmotiv’ the systematic association of the visual world with the auditive world, from where principal will to dramatize their music”. Ex-Vagus concretized this artistic line by creating two rock opera’s- “Par Dela Les Legendes” (2000) and “Seconde Lumière” (2004) – calling upon original lights creations, a particular scenography and external actors. Ex-Vagus produced a demo-CD and four CD’s and was the support-act for progrock bands Ange, Barclay James Harvest, Focus, The Watch and Ars Nova. The album Ames Vagabondes is their third studio effort and sounds in the vein of third rock-opera’s: often dramatic music featuring strong, typical French theatrical vocals, sumptuous keyboard layers and lots of wonderful, often sensitive electric guitar soli. The band has a very professional approach and in their eight compositions (tasteful and inventive arrangements) the emphasis is on creating a dramatic atmosphere in which the inspired vocals are very important. A pleasant album that will please the Ange fans (Christian Decamps joins the band on one song) and those who love dramatic prog.

L

LADY LAKE — SuperCleanDreamMachine (***1/2)

- A few months ago I witnessed a gig from Lady Lake during a Dutch Triple Concert with Knight Area and Plackband. I knew this band from their album "Pictures" from the Seventies but I was really stunned about new music! The members told me that I had to wait a few months until Musea had released their new album, more than 25 years after their debut LP. This night, after my late shift, I decided to listen to it and then to write this review. Well, I have very good news for you because Lady Lake has delivered a wonderful, very melodic album that will appeal to many progheads. The focus is on the guitar, Fred Rosenkamp has a very melodic and varied style (jazzy, rock, symphonic) with obvious hints from Andy Latimer. The music from Lady Lake often reminds me of Camel (and at some moments Focus), especially the changing climates from mellow to compelling and bombastic featuring sensitive and howling guitar, this man knows how to carry us away to progrock heaven! His interplay with the keyboards from Leender Korstanje (beautiful Hammond organ, piano and some fine Mellotron) is warm, delicate and sometimes very moving and drummer Jan Dubbe does a good job. I use to call this 24- carat symphonic rock, Holland is back on the track!!

LIKE WENDY — Endgame (****) 

- To my surprise this was the first review from Dutch musical project Like Wendy their latest (6th) album entitled "Endgame" on Prog Archives. The seven compositions sound a bit more accesible than the previous CD's, due to the melodic structure and vocal hints from The Beatles and Barclay James Harvest.

1. Mock Me! (10:54) : An alternating and very pleasant progrock sound, from melow with twanging acoustic guitar and piano to bombastic with fiery, often howling electric guitar and wonderful Mellotron. Their sound reminds me of mid- Genesis.

2. Radioactive Girl (6:40) : First tender piano and melancholical vocals, soon accompanied by sensitive electric guitar and majestic choir-mellotron. Then a synthesizer solo and a mellow featuring twanging acoustic guitar and Mellotron. The final part contains a sumptuous grand finale, splendid!

3. Subs (5:29) : Another altenating piece, from dreamy to bombastic with beautiful work on the guitar and Mellotron and emotional vocals.

4. Seventeen (8:15) : This track alternates from mellow and a slow rhythm to bombastic delivering fiery electric guitar and again a wonderful Mellotron sound (violin and choir).

5. Money For Monkey's (6:17) : A very compelling song featuring beautiful keyboards (synthesizers, church organ sound and Mellotron) and sensitive electric guitar with use of the volume-pedal (like Steve Hackett).

6. Moria (8:33) : Another Mellotron drenched piece!

7. Endgame (9:38) : The final composition is very alternating, the second part contains lots of bombastic eruptions featuring majestic choir-Mellotron and great interplay between guitar and keyboards. The final minutes delivers a surprise: mouth organ!

If you like Mid-Genesis, IQ, Pendragon and Barclay James Harvest, this one is yours!

LITTLE TRAGEDIES - Return (****)  

— WOW, here's an amazing progrock CD that carries me away to progheaven! It's the latest CD from the Russian progrock band Little Tragedies. During the first listening session I noticed a very mid-Emersonian inspired keyboard sound, especially the Yamaha GX-1 super- synthesizer (known from the video-clip "Fanfare for the common man" from ELP) but also a typical ethnic flavor, mainly the wonderful Russian vocals.

The first composition "Dream 1" features classical orchestrations (evoking The Enid) and soaring keyboards, followed by the distinctive Eastern-European atmosphere with Russian vocals and some folky sounds. Then splendid keyboardwork, heavy guitar-riffs and in the end a flashy synthesizer solo. The song "After death" is very alternating: excellent guitarplay (sensitive, heavy riffs and fiery runs), spectacular keyboards (organ and synthesizer) and a propulsive rhythm- section. In "Credo" we can enjoy swirling interplay between guitar and keyboards and in "Neuromantic" the contrast between the howling guitar and majestic harpsichord is very captivating, along with the Russian vocals! Among all those cascades of sumptuous progrock there are a few mellow tracks like "Canzona" (sensitive electric guitar and beautiful piano work) and "Return" (subdued with warm Russian vocals). My highlight on this CD is the composition "On the themes of Grieg": lots of sumptuous and fluent prog featuring marvellous keyboard work, inspired vocals and a final part featuring great duels between guitar and keyboards, in the vein of Trace, mid-ELP and the Japanese keyboard driven prog, superb! If you are up to Russian vocals and you like elp and the Japanese keyboard prog, this CD is highly recommended!!

LITTLE TRAGEDIES — New Faust (****) 

- One of my favorite albums of the last years is Return by the Russion formation Little Tragedies. So I was very excited to hear that they had just released a 2-CD, after a first listening session I can only conclude that Little Tragedies is a new progrock sensation! The focus is on the bombastic keyboard play, this man is obviously inspired by Keith Emerson featuring flashy synthesizer runs and swirling Hammond organ but he also delivers some delicate harpsichord play in more mellow parts. The interplay with the powerful, harder- edged guitar work is very exciting, it often sounds like a blend of ELP and Ayreon because of the heavy, propulsive guitar riffs and fiery, flowing guitar soli. The Russion vocals give an extra dimension to the music, it often reminds me of Hungarian progrock band Omega. Despite the two CD’s and the long running time of some tracks (even at about 30 minutes), Little Tragedies never bores, I am sure that many progheads who love ELP, the keyboard driven Japanese prog like Gerard and Ayreon will be delighted about this outstanding, very exciting Russian formation! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

LITTLE TRAGEDIES — The Sixth Sense (***1/2) 

- I was still in a sheer euphoric mood about their previous effort entitled New Faust when I received this new album by Russian symphonic progrock sensation Little Tragedies. After a first listening session, I concuded that the obvious ELP and Gerard hints are less and there is also more variation and originality. In fact Little Tragedies has developped into a progrock band that can compete with the current top bands like The Flower Kings, The Tangent and IQ, their only problem is that the vocals are Russian, not really accessible.

The first song The Sixth Sense is loaded with bombastic keyboards (especially Hammond organ and fat synthesizer flights) and heavy guitar riffs, it sounds like “ELP meets Ayreon” but the warm and distinctive Russian vocals give an extra dimension. The next track Bird is a kind of musical Pandora’s Box: first a Floydian atmosphere with dreamy saxophone and fragile slide-guitar, then an accellaration featuring sparkling piano, propulsive guitar riffs and great interplay. This is followed by sensitive electric guitar work and an organ solo, then suddenly a spectucalar break with sensational synthesizer sounds and heavy metal-guitar riffs, impressive!The other ten songs sound melodic, very tasteful, elaborate and especially varied, from dreamy with sensitive piano/warm vocals and compelling with Latimer-inspired guitar to fluent with fiery guitar/saxophone and sumptuous with lush keyboards. The interplay between the harpsichord and howling guitar in some songs sounds very delicate. My highlight on this CD is the track You And I: first sparkling piano, sensitive guitar and warm vocals, then a wonderful classical piano piece and finally a great build-up with bombastic Hammond organ and flashy synthesizers, accompanied by a dynamic rhytm-section, breathtaking!

My conclusion: Little Tragedies has made a great album, very varied and loaded with good musical ideas and excellent soli on several instruments. Just check their MP3 files or try to get their CD’s, highly recommended!

LIZARD – Spam (***)   

- Poland is becoming a small ‘progwalhalla’, after Collage, Quidam, Riverside and Satellite here is the interesting four piece band (including keyboard, violin and guitar synthesizer) Lizard! Their first album is from 1997, this is their fourth CD entitled Spam and divided into six pieces, Spam #1-Spam #6.

Despite the King Crimson group name Lizard, the music is not too obvious derived from King Crimson. Some tracks contain King Crimson elements (both the early as the new band) but in general the focus is on the excellent violinplay that reminds me of David Cross and JL Ponty. You can enjoy lots of great soli! The music sounds pleasant and melodic featuring tension between the heavy guitar riffs and the flowing violin work and the songs alternates between dreamy and propulsive and bombastic with inspired Polish vocals. The keyboards sound a bit subdued but if you listen good these are blended very subtle into the music. The final track (at about 12 minutes) delivers halfway the most obvious King Crimson hints featuring propulsive drum beats and repetetive guitar work along fine piano and violin play, wonderful and exciting!

This is a fine progrock album that will delight the King Crimson fans and those who like the violin (and the title will please the Monty Python fans!).

LOST WORLD — Awakening of the Elements (****)

- Lost World is a Russian trio with a guest keyboardist who plays in one song. After their debut CD Trajectories from 2003, here is their new album entitled Awakening Of The Elements (2006).

The 12 compositions contain a great flow, lots of dynamics, excellent interplay and great soli on guitar and violin. Because of the fiery guitar and violin work and the propulsive rhythm-section, the music often reminds me of 1972-1975 era King Crimson. The songs sound elaborate and host many captivating elements, surprising breaks and shifting moods. Strong examples are the dynamic titletrack (great tension between the fiery guitar and orchestral keyboards and halfway a splendid break with propulsive guitar riffs and flashy violin), Infinity Street (delicate progressive folk with wonderful acoustic guitar overdubs), Over The Islands (swinging rhythm with exciting guitar runs and funky 'slap'-bass work), States Of Mind Part I (captivating interplay between guitar and violin, again funky ‘slap-bass’ play and subtle synthesizer sounds) and finally my favorite track, the alternating Collision Of The Elements featuring fiery violin – and guitar runs. Because of the lush and powerful Hammond waves, to me it sounds like ‘King Crimson meets ELP’! The cheerful flute work on this CD gives the music a fresh extra dimension between all the heavy dynamic atmospheres.

I am very curious how this promising bands develops because Awakening Of The Elements is an excellent addition to your collection!

M

MALAAVIA - Danze d'Incenso (***)

— In general this musical project from the Italian duo signori Lusi and signori Scarpato is a wonderful and very alternating progrock album: great duo-vocals, tastefully blended with flute, organ, violin and piano in "Abraham, where is the land?", an Arabian undertone with synthesizer flights and saxophone in "Sahara - Marrakesh", classical orchestrations and a splendid grand finale featuring violin and some church organ in "Ombre", sparkling classical piano play in "Softmoon" and "Bach's prelude", fiery and heavy guitar work in "Hominem quaero" and wonderful classical/Spanish guitar and mandoline in "Locus amoenus". So there is a lot to enjoy, especially the titletrack (great keyboards, a sensitive Spanish guitar solo, beautiful piano and in the end a synthesizer solo) and "Mezzalunafertile" (compelling classical undertone, tastefuly blended with sitar, accordeon, Spanish guitar and flute). Unfortunately the composers got the idea to add disco beats to some tracks ("Kyrie Eleison" and "Vie interne")! Just when you are carried away to progheaven, that weird musical idea send you back to a harsh reality. But if you use the programm function, this CD will deliver lots of wonderful progrock moments.

NEXUS – Perpetuum Karma (*****)

 - I had very high expectations towards this new Nexus album, due their mindblowing previous studio album entitled Metanoia and their excellent contribution to the 3-CD The Odyssey The Greatest Tale, also featuring bands like Glass Hammer, Tempano, CAP, Simon Says and Minimum Vital. Yesterday evening my wife phoned me on my work that I had finally received their new album, this is the best news I have heard from her since many years!

1. Mirar Hacia El Centro (17:28) : After a dreamy intro with soaring synthesizers, birds sounds and acoustic guitar, suddenly Nexus treats us on a heavy sound featuring sumptuous Hammonnd organ and biting wah-wah guitar, a very exciting opening! Then lots of shifting moods, we can enjoy great Hammond work (Keith Emerson ‘rules’!) along a delicate piece with Fender piano and melancholical vocals and aninterlude with fragile guitar and mellow organ.

2. Perpetuum Karma (14:56) : The titletrack is a huge tribute to Keith Emerson with sensational work on Hammond and Moog. Halfway the guitarplayer delivers fiery and howling runs and I also enjoyed the combination of melancholical vocals and the strings sound, very pleasant.

3. Del Abismo Al Sol (9:50) : This is a dreamy song that contains a tasteful keyboard colouring (warm strings, fat Moog flights, Fender piano runs and swinging Hammond), warm vocals and ‘freak-out’ guitarwork. At some moment the music reminds me of the song Ice by Camel, also very compelling with moving guitarplay!

4. Travesía (9:12) : This alternating and captivating instrumental composition features lots of interesting music, from a swinging rhtyhm with Hammond and a dreamy part with spacey synthesizers to lush Hammond and Moog with propulsive guitar work. The interplay is strong and the build-up great to a beautiful climax featuring a sensitive guitar solo with exciting use of the wah-wah pedal, impressive!

5. Cruces Y Sombras (14:00) : Again a long, alternating an captivating song, from the short intro with an Inca flute sound and a propulsive rhythm with powerful Hammond runs to compelling bombastic prog that carries me to Progheaven, what a wonderful lush keyboards and sensitive guitar.

6. En Ese Viento (6:44) : While most of this album has ELP hints, this track has echoes from mid-Genesis featuring twanging guitars and frequent use of the volume pedal on his guitar. It starts dreamy, than more and more lush featuring a bombastic climac, first with propulsive guitar riffs and biting wah-wah and eventually with wonderful keyboards, again I am in Progheaven!

To me this new Nexus album sounds as splendid Classic Seventies Symphonic Prog inspired music with obvious hints from ELP and Genesis, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

NEXUS — Buenos Aires Free Experience Volumen 2 (***1/5)

- Warning: this is not a successor to the album Perpetuum Karma but a release in the serie Free Experience by the Brasilian Progrock label Record Runner (fellow Argentine band Amagrama started in this serie). The record company Record Runner mentions about this special serie: “The "Buenos Aires Free Experience" project is an associated production of Brazilian Record Runner company and Argentine UTOPIA Music Factory with the intention of showing the hidden side of musicians and their playing of instruments from the spirit. These “jam sessions” consist in meetings where every musician generates a musical frequency of energy able to harmonize with the others. In the Seventies, the legendary and endless ‘jam sessions’ were the most sublime passages of musical expression. Four decades later, my aim is to record in this collection of improvisational moments a sound ‘collage’ including rock, hardrock, blues, psychedelia, symphonic-rock, jazz, avant-garde, etc. The basic idea is to use music as a vehicle for the soul to express itself. Every piece of music is created and improvised live at the studio, without overdubs nor rehearsing, and later they are edited and mixed with a very creative criterion.” So take your seat and enjoy a captivating musical adventure by excellent, very inspired musicians!

1. Plaga (17.51) : Nexus starts very dynamic delivering fiery guitarplay and powerful Hammond work, supported by a beautiful strings-sound and propulsive drumming. Then the rhythm slows down, after a biting wah-wah drenched guitar solo the atmosphere is quite bluesy with a slow synthesizer solo (fat Minimoog sound). Gradually the rhythm-section plays heavier and we can enjoy splendid interplay, culminating in a breathtaking climax, Nexus ‘rocks’! But it’s not over, in a swinging rhythm Lalo delivers a swirling Hammond organ solo and flashy Minimoog flights, followed by a heavy guitar solo and sumptuous keyboards, the final part features piano and howling guitar runs, what a start!

2. El reves del espejo (5.34) : A powerful mid-tempo with fiery guitar and bombastic keyboard work, then a propulsive rhythm-section supporting a heavy and raw guitar solo and sensational keyboard flights, culminating in exciting interplay and amazing drumming.

3. Servicio de lounge (14.39) : Nexus got the blues with slow Hammond waves and a bluesyguitar solo. Gradually the atmosphere becomes heavier and more dynamic featuring very tastful and varied keyboard work, from the Fender Rhodes electric piano and Hammond organ to the Minimoog synthesizer sound. The interplay is awesome, ending in a compelling Keith Emerson inspired Hammond organ solo.

4. No pizza (14.25) : A swinging rhythm with lots of piano runs, a swirling Hammond organ solo and fat Minimoog flights, supported by very powerful and propulsive drum beats, how dynamic this sounds!

5. Dame un "La" (0.55) : A very short piece featuring Spanish voices and the tuning of instruments.

6. Danza mental (18.12) : This long and alternating final composition starts with a wailing violin by Vox Dei guitar player Ricardo Soulé, the melancholic climate fits perfect to the Spanish vocals by Nexus guest singer Lito Marcello (also on their latest album Perpetuum Karma). Nexus delivers a pleasant harmony of mellow organ, intense violin, fat Minimoog runs and bluesy guitar. A short accellaration contains heavy and raw guitarwork in the vein of Jimi Hendrix and Ritchie Blackmore, these are Carlos Lucena his obvious roots! Then we can enjoy raw, distorted and howling guitar runs, a dynamic rhythm-section, flashy Minimoog flights and a sensitive violinsolo. The heavy final parts sounds as a tribute to Deep Purple during the Made In Japan era, a big hand for the powerful and exciting Hammodn organ!

Don't expect symphonic prog in the vein of the music on their album Perpetuum Karma, just enjoy the captivating, adventurous and dynamic blend of styles, mission accomplished!

Muchas gracias, Alberto!

NICE BEAVER-Oregon (***)  

- What’s on a man’s mind, dr. Freud? A Nice Beaver from Holland! This  band just released their second album and what a stunning progress they’ve made. The first track “Nights In Armour” (at about 12 minutes) is a wonderful and alternating piece featuring lots of shifting moods (bombastic, bluesy and even some Andalusian undertones), pleasant keyboards (organ, violin-Mellotron), nice vocals and strong guitarwork (sensitive soli). The next seven compositions deliver varied and tasteful progrock: from “Morphine” (a compelling blend of ethnic, prog and metal), “Any Other Day” (a polished progrock ballad with a moving guitarsolo) and the titletrack (sensational bombastic break halfway with sparkling piano and heavy guitar-riffs) to the exciting instrumental “The Beaver Stater” (intro feautures soaring  keyboards and beautiful Latimer-inspired solo and in the end a wah-wah drenched guitarplay)  and the classical influenced final song “Lawn Mower’s Day Off”. Keep on proggin’ Nice Beaver, I’m already looking forward to your next album!

NOTABENE — Sei Lacrime d'Ambra (***1/2)

- After their wonderful and acclaimed eponymous debut album, here is the new album by Italian symphonic prog band Notabene. It contains six compositions, three have a running time between 10 and 20 minutes. But this no problem because Notabene succeeds to keep my attention during the entire album: lots of fine shifting moods, wonderful, often howling guitar soli, some flashy synthesizer soli (like on La Revolution Bourgeoise Parte II) and warm Italian vocals with that typical Mediterenean dramatic undertone. I was also pleased by the delicate musical surprises like a jazzy piano part in Le Mistificazioni Dell'Ombra, mandolin and accordion in the titletrack and a break with percussion in Il Treno Di Obuda. Notabene their most pleasant element is the interplay between the guitar and keyboards, this remind me of another fine Italian band named Nuova Era like in the song La Revolution Bourgeoise (parte I). In my opinion Notabene has matured after their promising first album, I am sure that many progheads and symphomaniacs will be delighted about this new album!

O

- This Dutch progrock band is rooted in the late Eighties but it lasted until ‘96 before Odyssice  made a Camel inspired mini-CD (four songs) entitled  “Moondrive”. In 2000 Odyssice released the CD entitled Impressions, a strong, 24-carat symphonic rock album with obvious echoes from Camel but also some ethnic elements. It is in the vein of the mini-CD Moondrive but with more mature and alternating compositions. Jeroen delivers a lush keyboardsound (piano, Mellotron – and Moog samples) in some songs but the focus is on Bastiaan Peeter with his sensitive guitarplay and the use of a guitar-synthesizer (spectacular – and surprising sounds). The progress of this band is emphasized by the integration of ethnic elements from Scotland, China and India, very beautiful and a proove that Odyssice is on the way to develop their own sound. I’m sure this album will please a lot of symphomaniacs!

(GAVIN) O’LOGHLEN – The Poet And The Priest (***1/2)

- This Australian is a very versatile and creative mind: actor, author, composer, musician and responsible for many album releases, theater productions, plays for movies, he has a grade in ‘drama’ and lots of experience in music, theater music, drama and as a session-musician he joined on many records. Quite an impressive curriculum vitae that started to shape when Gavin began learning bagpipe at the age of eleven. He took part in Highland competitions in several groups and then he focussed on learning guitar, keyboards and flute. Influenced by the progrock by early Genesis, King Crimson, The Moody Blues, Pink Floyd and Peter Gabriel started to integrate the keyboard sound in his theater productions that became more and more bombastic and complex. If you visit his website, you will discover how prolific Gavin is!

On the CD The Poet And The Priest the concept story is about two young friends and the development of their friendship and life. The music sounds like melodic symphonic prog featuring lush vintage keyboards, sensitive electric guitar work and pleasant vocals that reminds me of fellow Australian Les Dougan (from legendary Australian neo-progrock band Aragon) and Fish because of the tonation. Although the sound is often laidback, this is not an album to get asleep because of some varied and dynamic tracks like the alternating Lovers (heavy church-organ sound, a delicate strings-sound and fluent synthesizer runs), The Open Road (great build-up with howling guitar and sumptuous keyboards), The Pit (wonderful keyboard sound delivering The Mighty Tron, church-organ and spectacular synthesizer flights), the Marillion-like The Open Road Revisited (mid-tempo with inspired vocals and moving guitar), the very symphonic Bird Of Life (beautiful work on the Mellotron and a lush Hammond organ sound) and the strong final song The Dance (very compelling with fine vocals and keyboards).

Don’t expect groundbreaking or complex prog, just enjoy this honest tribute to symphonic prog featuring tasteful arranged tracks and wonderful vintage keyboards!

- This is a Polish four piece band that is rooted in the late Nineties, it is their third studio album and what a mindblowing effort, these guys are trying to compete with the exciting and dynamic sound of their fellow countrymen of Riverside!

In general the 11 compositions contain frequent heavy and propulsive guitar riffs, a powerful and dynamic rhythm-section, lots of fiery, biting and blistering guitar soli, spectacular synthesizer flights, some swirling Hammond organ runs and many sensational breaks or thrilling shifting moods. Although the guitarplay and rhythm-section often sounds as prog metal, Osada Vida their music is more than prog metal, to me it sounds as ‘heavy progressive’ scouting the borders between symphonic rock and prog metal. The music ranges from mellow to compelling and often heavy, propulsive and dynamic featuring great musical ideas and a subtle variety: a heavy and bombastic first part that shifts into dreamy with acoustic rhythm-guitar and soaring keyboards in Devotion (Part I) - After Hours, a sparkling Grand piano with acoustic guitar, followed by heavy guitar riffs in a prog metal atmosphere and then a break with a tango-like rhythm and a Spanish guitar solo in Devotion (Part II) - Flying Time, jazzy piano and guitar in Boiling Point and the distinctive Fender Rhodes electric piano sound in the alternating Btterly Disappointed.

This is one of the most exciting and dynamic heavy prog albums I have heard in years, I compare my excitement with the sound of late Seventies Rush and early Ayreon era although Osada Vida is (still) not on their superior level. My conclusion: Riverside has serious competion in their country!

OUTER LIMITS – Stromatolite (****)

- Last week a friend told me that Japanese progrock legend had made a new album, I couldn’t believe my ears and I was really delighted, what a pleasant progrock surprise. I am a huge fan of their last studio album The Scene Of Pale Blue (1987), the title track contains one of the most compelling Mellotron drenched parts in progrock history, check it out fellow progheads!

- So nearly twenty years later the new album Stromatolite has been released in the almost original line-up, only a new singer. From the very first moment on this CD I am very impressed and enjoyed their distinctive ‘Holy Trinity’ of sumptuous keyboards, fiery guitar and sparkling violin in an often compelling blend of classical and symphonic prog with hints from King Crimson and UK. Especially the six instrumental compositions sound very alternating and dynamic and carry me away to Prog Heaven like the opener Cosmic Velocity delivering a surprising break with fiery and blistering Fripperian guitar work and flashy synthesizer flights, Algo_Rhythm C with beautiful violin play, bombastic Hammond organ blended with propulsive guitar riffs and a wonderful grand finale with Outer Limits in full splendor, the exciting highlight Spiral Motion featuring a pipe organ that duels with guitar, violin and Stick, wonderful Mellotron waves and several majestic bombastic eruptions with pipe organ and finally the alternating songs Pangea with orchestral keyboards, fiery guitar, sensational synthesizer runs, some wailing violin and a compelling final part, quite classical oriented. This CD also contains two solo works: in Caprice we can listen to a powerful and vivid violin solo and Organ Small Works No. 4 features a strong build up and lots of variation with the pipe organ. Four pieces contain vocals, I prefer the captivating track Constellation with excellent work on violin, keyboards and guitar, the vocal harmonies remind me of Yes. I am only not very pleased with the final song Lunatic Game, despite the great vintage keyboard sound, because to me it sounds a bit too polished, like USA progrock band Glass Hammer. My conclusion: a great comeback album, as if Outer Limits had recently made The Scene Of Pale Blue!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

S

SALMON - When The Dust Settles (***) 

- This Dutch band was rooted in a progrock coverband (Camel, Marillion, IQ) with Jan Jaap Langereis (vocals, keyboards and flute) and Sven de Haan (bass, bass pedals) as the prime movers. They wanted to make their own prog and in ’97 both musicians founded Salmon, the band was completed with guitar-player Gerrit Hoogebeen and drummer Henk Sonnenberg, soon replaced by Robert Schuster. In 2001 Salmon released their debut-album entitled “ Decade reference”, a 24-carat symphonic rock album with hints ranging from Kayak and Camel to Rush and Kansas and classical composers like Vivaldi, Bach and Mozart. In mid 2004 they released their second effort entitled “When the dust settles..”, their progress on this album is stunning.

The new album When The Dust Settles.. (2004) is a beautiful, very warm and melodic CD. It contains strong echoes from Genesis (Hackett-era) and some vocal harmonies in the vein of Gentle Giant. The keyboard sound is lush with lots of organ along nice synthesizer runs, majestic Mellotron samples and Grand piano. The guitarplay is strong and sensitive with some great solos. Salmon embellishes their 24-carat symphonic music with the sound of  the violin, flute and acoustic guitar. Yet another promissing Dutch progrock band!

SEVEN REIZH — Samsara (****)

- Seven Reich is a French musical project featuring the duo Claude Mignon (keyboards, guitars, compositions) and Gérard Le Dortz (graphics, story, voice and samples) along many guest musicians. This CD is the successor of the album Strinkadenn Ys that was released in 2001, a while ago. Somewhere on Internet I read that Seven Reich intends to make a trilogy, well, I am looking forward to that because Samsara is a very captivating and often compelling blend of ethnic music and progressive rock (with hints from Pink Floyd and Camel) with the emphasis on ethnic. In the huge booklet (20x20 cm) you can read about the story, the lyrics and the wide range of instruments, these are blended in a wonderful way into the 14 compositions. The climates are in general dreamy with a sultry undertone and we can enjoy great female and male vocals in French (Breton), English and Arabian (the North-African Berber language). The songs flow into each other and are all small jewels, so beautiful and warm, from the short opener Encore (melancholical violincello with twanging guitar and a mellow trumpet sound), Soñj (compelling contrast between fragile piano, flute and soaring vocals and bombastic keyboards and propulsive guitar chords) and the breathtaking Ay Adu (Arabian vocals, Scottish bagpipes, a wonderful solo on classical guitar, followed by powerful electric guitar) to Qim Iydi... (a lush sound with piano, violincello, accordeon and moving interplay between piano and howling electric guitar) and A-roak (a slow rhythm featuring organ and a bombastic part with again howling guitar). It was a real treat to listen to all those ethnic instruments, from the Scottish bagpipe and the Celtic harp and tin-whistle to the Arabian udu along the bodhran, duduk, flute traverse and tambour, to name a few!

If you are up to a captivating musical adventure on the borders of folk and prog, I am sureyou will be pleased with this wonderful album, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO PROG FOLK FANS!!

SHADES OF DAWN — From Dusk Till Dawn (***)

- This is a German band that made recordings halfway the Nineties but it lasted until 2006 to release an album. The CD From Dusk To Dawn contains 11 compositions, four are re- recorded a few years ago. Shades Of Dawn their sound is mainly in the realm of the neo- prog like early Marillion and IQ but without being a copycat. I am pleased with the tasteful and varied arrangements with a modern sound, from dreamy and spacey to fluent and bombastic. A strong point is the interplay between the guitar and keyboards but I am also delighted about the wonderful, often howling guitar runs and the pleasant keyboards work (from harpsichord and organ to string-ensemble and choir-Mellotron sounds). Due to the slight German accent and the melodic and harmonic sound, Shades Of Dawn their music reminds me at some moments of Austrian band Eela Craig but less symphonic and with a more modern sound. To me this CD is a pleasant effort that will appeal to the neo-prog fans.

This album is dedicated to prime mover Wolfgang Schmidt who died of a heart- attack in January 2000.

SHADOW CIRCUS — Welcome to the Freakroom (***1/2)

- This new USA five piece band has made an interesting debut CD but I have to admit that it required a few listening sessions to get into their music. Shadow Circus sounds way from mainstream symphonic prog and the singer has a very distinctive voice, not always my cup of tea because of the theatrical undertone at some moments. But his voice is powerful and gives the sound of Shadow Music an extra dimension.

1. Shadow Circus (7:25) : The bands starts dynamic and powerful with propulsive guitar riffs and a wonderful colouring with vintage keyboard sounds (choir-Mellotron, Minimoog, Hammond organ and Grand piano). The music is melodic, it is a genuine circus atmosphere and the vocals are strong, halfway we can enjoy a biting electric guitar solo, a good and promising start!

2. Storm Rider (7:49) : A catchy mid-tempo with a captivating tension between the fiery electric guitar play and the swinging piano (it contains a Latin-American undertone). In the second part a fiery guitar solo is accompanied by lush Hammond organ and then fluent synthesizer flights, very exciting!

3. Inconvenient Compromise (5:58) : Lots of shifting moods (from mellow with sensitive electric guitar to bombastic with Hammond organ), excellent drum work and varied keyboards (including a swinging piano solo).

4. Radio People (5:43) : This is the maverick on the album delivering a catchy beat and lots of interesting musical ideas like the flute-Mellotron and a sitar-like sound and choir-Mellotron blended with a biting wah-wah guitar solo. It sounds like ‘pop meets neo- prog’ but this song has been worked out very well.

5. In the Wake of a Dancing Flame (6:34) : The long intro contains wonderful Hammond organ play, it reminds me of early Seventies bands like Rare Bird and Julian’s Treatment. Despite good work on guitar and keyboards and strong vocals, this track lacks a bit direction.

6. Journey of Everyman (11:46) : This alternating and dynamic final composition is the absolute highlight on this album, what a ‘Pandora’s Box of musical surprises’, from a blend of wonderful classical orchestrations and Grand piano to bombastic keyboards, a powerful rhythm-section and fiery electric guitar runs, from a slow rhythm with a sensitive electric guitar solo to choir-Mellotron waves with tender piano and from acoustic rhythm guitar with vocals to an almost psychedelic part with a long, biting wah-wah guitar solo, accompanied by majestic choir-Mellotron and an adventurous rhythm-section, this is Shadow Circus at its best!

The music of this new and promising band is hard to pigeon-hole (I could only notice some short but obvious early Yes echoes in the final track) but it’s worth to discover their unique sound, I am glad that Atkingani and E-Dub recommended Shadow Circus to me, thanks! I am looking forward to their next release, until so far a solid 3,5 stars for their debut CD but I expect to give 4 stars to the successor!

SENOGUL-Transitos (***1/2)

- Senogul is a band from the Northern part of Spain that is rooted in 2002. They have released a demo with covers from bands like ELP, Yes, Liquid Tension Experiment, Genesis and Frank Zappa. This CD contains five own compositions, the running time is only 37 minutes. But the musical level is high for a new band, I enjoyed listening to this new band very much, what a crafty musicians and what an abundance of musical ideas!

1. Dr. Gull / Racionalidad: Wonderful interplay between sparking piano and flowing, very sensitive electric guitar (with echoes from Steve Hackett) and a catchy break featuring a swinging piano and jazzy electric guitar. The interplay between the musicians is amazing!

2. Tango Mango: The band manages to capture the typical Latin-American atmosphere of the Argentine tango (I even hear the sound of the bandenon), very exciting and compelling. This long composition (at about 10 minutes) delivers many strong and surprising breaks and shifting moods and excellent work on guitar and keyboards.

3. Microcosmos Blues: It starts with an early, a bit dark and propulsive King Crimson climate, then mellow featuring twanging electric guitars and soaring keyboards. This is followed by a slow build-up, a sensitive electric guitar solo and finally quite experimental/avant-garde-like musical explorations, again very surprising and adventurous.

4. Travesía De Las Gaviotas: This is a short piece with a fine electric guitar solo.

5. La Mulata Eléctrica: Fasten your seatbelts, this long track (almost ten minutes) will take you away to an exotic progheaven! The exciting catchy and propulsive rhythm and sultry climate reminds me of Rock Andalus legend Guidalquivir and jazzrock giant Al DiMeola (like on Race With The Devil On Spanish Highway), what a splendid music! Halfway lots of fine musical ideas: a short but powerful bass solo, ‘palmas’ (handclapping), a beautiful electric guitar solo and some very swinging and virtuosic piano work, again the interplay between the musicians is outstanding.

This year Senogul will release a new CD, I’m looking forward to it, I keep my 4 or perhaps 5 star rating ready! This band is great progrock news from Spain!!

SHAKARY – Shakary 2006 (***1/2)  

- The promising Swiss formation Shakary just released a ‘limited double-CD editiondigipack’ featuring a selection of tracks from their two studio albums Alya (2-CD from 2000) and The Last Summer (2002), re-recorded, re-mixed and re-mastered. Clepsydra singer Aluisio Maggine is replaced by Noel McCalla (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band) and on one track Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon) and Steve Rothery (Marillion) deliver their distinctive guitar work.<p>

CD1 entitled Alya 2006 contains nine songs, these sound as wonderful symphonic prog with hints from legendary neo-prog band early Marillion: melodic, harmonic and tasteful, from dreamy to compelling bombastic. The sound of the keyboards is very lush and I was carried away many times by very moving, often howling guitar soli. To me the vocals by Noel McCalla are a pleasant contribution to Shakary their music, the vocals remind me of the dramatic undertone of Damien Wilson. A strong point is the swirling violin work in some tracks, the Eddie Jobson fans will be delighted! A nice surprise is the track Sentence, halfway we hear a fiery and howling guitar solo by Arjen Lucassen and during the wonderful final part Steve Rothery delivers a sensitive guitar solo, it sounds like ‘early Marillion time’! Another good track is Open Skies featuring dynamic prog with exciting keyboard work (including a violin-Mellotron sound), a howling guitar solo and pleasant play on trumpet and violin, what a beautiful and lush sound.<p>CD2 entitled The Last Summer 2006 contains seven compositions, again Shakary makes wonderful symphonic prog with echoes from early Marillion, like “symphonic prog meets neo-prog”. It sounds very dynamic, from subdued and mellow to propulsive and bombastic with a lush instrumentation: beautiful interplay between harpsichord, vocals and violin in Dreaming In L.A., a spectacular synthesizer solo in Love Warchild Of 64, a swinging piano and compelling bombastic prog with howling guitar in The Play Of My Life, twanging acoustic guitar and warm vocals in Two Days Left and a child-choir and the sound of bagpipes in the strongly build-up final song Sparkles In The Dark. On CD2 Noel McCalla does a good job too, I love his voice.<p>In my opinion Shakary has released a wonderful, very melodic and tasteful 2-CD with plesant keyboards and often sensitive, very moving guitar soli. I think that Shakary 2006 will not only appeal to the Genesis and early Marillion fans but also to progheads and symphomaniacs who love the borders between melodic symphonic prog and neo-prog, RECOMMENDED!

SIMON SAYS - Paradise Square (****)             

- This CD from the Swedish band SIMON SAYS is another gem from the amazing Mellotron- loaden Skandinavian progrock scene. In my opinion “Paradise Square” is one of the best releases from 2002! Most of the 7 songs are long, alternating and elaborate pieces with lots of surprising ideas: classical guitar and piano, a jazzy intermezzo, sensitive Spanish guitar or sitar and tablas. The 24-carat symphonic sound is very inspired by mid-GENESIS but has also echoes from ANGLAGARD (sumptuous Mellotron waves), SPOCK’S BEARD (shifting moods and fiery electric guitar), MARILLION (keyboards) and MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND (Minimoog flights with pitchbend).

SLEEPWALKER SUN - Sleepwalker Sun (***1/2)

- This is a Brasilian musical project featuring violin player Marcus Viana from Sagrado. I had heard many positive stories about this CD and was very curious to hear it finally! Well, from the very first moment I was struck by their sound, this is a very good progrock and deserves more attention! It contains seven alternating and dynamic compositions (between 4 and 15 minutes): from dreamy or compelling to bombastic and propulsive with often a great tension between the majestic violin and heavy electric guitar. The music delivers many shifting moods and accelarations, most of the time fluent and bombastic and loaded with great guitar work (fiery and biting soli and heavy riffs) and a huge portion of sumptuous keyboards. The female singer Giana Araujo does a good job but I prefer her singing in the more mellow parts. My highlights are the exciting opener Blindfold (great contrast between the classical violin - and electric guitar sound), Russian Roulette (wonderful Mellotron waves), the mellow Jalen’s Eyes (beautiful classical violin and piano) and the dynamic, a bit Rush-inspired Nocturnal (great bombastic sound and strong soli on guitar and keyboards).

SONIC PULSAR - Out Of Place (***1/2) 

— I am not really into progressive metal but when I got this CD as a promo I was stunned by this Portuguese trio: most of their music is dynamic and energetic progmetal (fortunately not those endless scale-acrobatics) with lots of exciting ideas and variety and splendid metallish guitarwork (many biting and howling soli and propulsive heavy riffs), this man is a sensation! Sonic Pulsar also creates moments to relax featuring acoustic rhythm guitar, great keyboards (wonderful piano, classical orchestrations and a soaring string-sound) and some panflute. In my opinion Sonic Pulsar has made a progmetal album on an international level, highly recommended!

- Sonus Umbra is a Mexican six piece band (with additional guest musicians) that has released their third album late 2005. The running time is at about one hour and this CD contains 20 melodic, tasteful and very varied compositions: an electronic atmosphere with wonderful interplay by acoustic – and electric guitar along pleasant sounding keyboards in Zero, lots of shifting moods (from dreamy with twanging guitars to mid-tempo with a fat guitar riff or sultry with swinging piano) in Invisible World, first propulsive, then mellow and in the end fiery guitar with howling licks in Infestation, prog metal with raw vocals and biting guitar in Aleph and dreamy with piano arpeggio’s and ... English horn in Infinity. My highlight is The Great Fall Inwards: first dreamy, then a mid-tempo with fiery guitar and flashy synthesizer flights and a final part featuring a bombastic climate with propulsive drums. If you are up to varied and melodic prog, this album is fine one to checkout.

 SYLVAN - Posthumous Silence (***) 

- I didn’t know this band though this new CD is their fifth, “shame on me”! So unfortunately I cannot compare Posthumous Silence to the previous releases by Sylvan.

Well, after a first listening session I was impressed. Sylvan manages to create a rather own sound, scouting the borders between progressive pop and neo- progressive rock. The vocals by Marco Gluhmann are a good point in Sylvian their music, his voice has a wide range and lots of emotion. At some moments a bit theatrical but this doesn’t disturb me at all. The new album contains fifteen compositions, the running time is at about 70 minutes. The atmosphere in the songs is very varied: between dreamy and bombastic with sensational synthesizer runs, expressive vocals and fiery electric guitar in In Chains, a wonderful ‘on-cloud-number-nine’ guitar solo in Pane Of Truth, a great build-up from acoustic piano to a bombastic finale with sensitive electric guitar and lush keyboards in The Colors Changed, many shifting moods with sparkling piano and a spectacular build-up synthesizer solo in Questions, an ominous climate with agressive vocals and heavy guitar riffs in The Last Embrace and a splendid, very compelling atmosphere with howling electric guitar runs in the captivating titletrack.

SOLAR PROJECT — Chromagnitude (***)

- This is a German band , their debut CD The Final Solution was released in 1989 so you can conclude that Solar Project is making prog for almost twenty years!

This new CD (their sixth studio album) contains 7 compostions that sound simply structured but very tasteful coloured by guitar and especially keyboards, the Hammond organ work often evokes Manfred Wieczorke his work in early Eloy. The guitarplay has obvious hints of David Gilmour, especially in the opener Gray (also delicate saxophone solo and omnipresent organ sound) and Black (alternating with very compelling organ work). My highlight is the long track Green (more than 15 minutes) featuring lots of shifting moods and very pleasant work on guitar (from heavy riffs and sensitive play to a captivating psychedelic solo and a fine duet with the organ) and kebyoards (from soaring synthesizers and compelling Hammond sounds to frequent eruptions on the choir-Mellotron. Halfway the climate turns into psychedelic like Pink Floyd At Pompeii. The final part delivers fat guitar riffs and fiery guitar runs. The vocals are often duo, a combination of male and female, it sound pleasant but the lyrics are very simple. At some moments the music reminds me of the first Epidaurus album, also from Germany but rooted in the Seventies.

This is not music with refinement, tension, inventive ideas or awesome skills but if you like early Eloy or more psychedelic pInk Floyd, this is a CD to discover.

SPIN – Contraponto (****)

- After GALF, Tarkus and Diapasao, here’s another Brasilian progrock formation, the four piece band Spin. The four melodic compositions (between 7 and 11 minutes) sound very tasteful, elaborate and alternating and you will find some interesting musical ideas.

1. Sensacoes Diversas (7.04) : We can enjoy very pleasant symphonic prog featuring sensitive electric guitar, wonderful modern keyboards and passionate Brasilian vocals. The climates range from dreamy with acoustic guitar to mid-tempo with organ and propulsive guitar and bombastic with a lush keyboard sound.

2. Buscando Algo De Novo (10.18) : This song contains a mid-tempo with fluent interplay between guitar and keyboards, again those passionate vocals, a beautiful part with acoustic guitar overdubs, orechestral keyboards and an up-tempo rhythm with Mark Kelly inspired synthesizer flights and quite raw and heavy guitar play.

3. Conflitantes Paranoias

Parte 1 Sec XX (10.54) :  Some musical surprises with jazzy piano and wah-wah guitar, then wonderufl parts featuring classical guitar and Grand piano and in the end a fluent rhythm with flashy synthesizer runs.

Parte 2 Sec XXI (4.48) : The first part contains acoustic  rhythm guitar and dreamy

vocals, then it becomes more compelling with great keyboards and howling guitar and

the final part delivers breathtaking choir-Mellotron samples and strong vocals, very

moving!

4. Ventos Do Passado (7.43) : This final track sounds a bit folky with warm acoustic guitar and passionate vocals, halfway blended with slow synthesizer flights, very tasteful.

I am sure that this wonderful symphonic prog album will please many progheads, highly recommended!

After their new CD “Sun Caged” the band is hailed as the Dutch answer to DREAM THEATER but in my opinion this does wrong to the band. In fact I’m more pleased with Sun Caged because their eponymous CD is not layared with dazzling solos and virtuosic interplay and their singer has not that exaggerating undertone like JAMES LABRIE. The nine compositions often contain spectacular shifting moods with elaborate and tasteful keyboardplay, heavy and propulsive guitarwork, powerful vocals and a dynamic rhythm-section. The music features exciting soloing but the emphasis remains on the songs, this makes Sun Caged sound like a band. This refreshing progmetal deserves international recognition!

By the way: the Japanese CD version has a bonustrack entitled “Four guilders”.

SZKITIA – Ketezer Eves Enek (***)

- This is a new Hungarian band that delivers a pleasant and melodic blend of prog and folk. I general the focus is on the vocals (male and female, several duo’s and many voal harmonies) and the songs sound simple but pleasant featuring some keyboards (organ, piano, soaring keyboards), strong electric guitar play (from propulsive riffs and sensitive runs to fiery wah-wah) and especially a lush folk sound by (thanks to Hungarian proghead Norbert):

-furulyák=flutes, rather a folky flute than the likes used in a symphonic orchestra or by Thijs Van Leer for instance.

- töröksíp is probably equal with tárogató, a very old woodwind instrument with a rather powerful sound

- torokének is a weird kind of singing similar with shaman chantings.

- doromb is Jew's harp, a small instrument

Because of the Hungarian language and the rocky element, the recent Omega comes to my mind but in general it sounds as an original and pleasant blend of prog and folk.

SUPAY — Confusión (****)

- When I was a young boy, my father taught me that it was important to meet other cultures. So we often went to musea about native Indians and he used to play LP’s with music from Greece, Russia, Roumania, Spain and often Latin-America, especially the Andean flute sound like Los Paraguayos, Los Incas and Los Calchakis. When I got in touch with progrock I was very pleased with Los Jaivas, the wonderful blend of ethnic and symphonic prog. Last week I was advised to buy Peruvian band Supay, I am very grateful (thanks Hans) because their blend of Andean folk and Western prog/rock is amazing! Supay is a new band that consists of six members, four are playing the ‘quena’ (an often used Andean flute) and two of those also play the ‘zampona’, a double panpipe from the Incas. Most of you will know these instruments from the Andean street musicians playing in Europe.

The CD is from 2004 but re-released in 2006 by the French label Musea and the Chilean label Mylodon Records. It contains seven pleasant and melodic compositions that sound like a progressive blend of Andean folk and rock music. In general the songs deliver fluent rhythms with an adventurous rhythm-section with the focus on the flutes and electric guitar. This results in a great tension between the cheerful ‘quena’ sound, the melancholic ‘zampona’ sound and the fiery and harder-edged guitarwork, in my opinion inspired by Hendrix and Blackmore. The guitarplayer makes impression with his frequent soli, often biting and howling and the duels with the flutes are great like on the first track when he uses wah-wah while the flute sounds like a nightingale! The keyboard player sounds a bit subdued: in Avanzado he delivers a bit jazzy organ solo, in La Nueva he plays a fine duet with a flute and in most of the other songs he accompanies on organ in a very tasteful way. That is also the strong point of Supay: the band sounds like a band despite the frequent soli and instrumental adventures.

If you like a musical encounter between two different worlds, this is an excellent CD!

VARIOUS ARTISTS

CONVENTION PROG RESISTE 2005 – dvd (***1/5)

 - This is a Belgian initiative, if you take a look at their website (http://www.progresiste.com/convention/ ) you will notice that this DVD is part of an annual serie from 2003, soon 2006 will be released. Here we have the 2005 edition featuring seven bands, each plays one song and between the songs you can enjoy scenes in the dressing rooms, some very funny ones!

MADELGAIRE : This is a Belgian formation that makes very pleasant ‘Classic Seventies Symphonic Prog’. The intro contains a folky atmosphere with acoustic guitars (even the drummer) and a mandoline player, wearing a t-shirt with the magic word Melotron printed on it ... Then the music turns into melodic symphonic prog, from dreamy to bombastic with a lush Mellotron sound, fluent synthesizer runs, fiery guitar and French vocals, a good starter.

EX-VAGUS : Here we have a Swiss band that made two rock operas, this is obvious on their contribution: an often bombastic  blend of rock and symphonic with dramatic French vocals (strong hints from Ange), heavy keyboard layers and a compelling guitar solo. An interesting band, I have heard their album Ames Vagabondes, very tasteful and professional.

QUIDAM : No introduction necessary for this popular Polish band, I have seen them this summer during a progrock festival in Paris, this formation is at their best on stage: their singer is the ‘Bono of the progrock’, a very enthousiastic and dynamic personality! The music is a melodic and alternating blend of progressive pop, neo-prog and some symphonic. Halfway the music flows into the cover Hush by Deep Purple and we can enjoy strong work on flutes and guitar.

FOCUS : Our Dutch pride still features Thijs Van Leer, what a professional and humorous musician! On this track he starts with a long solo on his flute traverse, followed by some funny singing and eventually Focus treats us on a very good rendition of their ‘classic’ composition Hocus Pocus, especially the guitar work is impressive!

KNIGHT AREA : Last year this Dutch band performed on the annual Nearfest festival in the USA, there they made friends and I think here in Belgium too. They start with a bit polished up-tempo neo-prog but soon their sound shifts into wonderful, very compelling symphonic prog with majestic Mellotron, powerful bass pedals and in the final part a great build-up guitar solo by the humorous Rinie Huigen (like bass player Gijs Koopman once a Cliffhanger member), he treats us on lots of howling runs, the applause is huge!

LA MASCHERA DI CERA : Next the acclaimed Italian symphonic prog band La Maschera Di Cera, I hope to see them once! Their long composition is drenched in the Seventies Italian prog with dreamy flute and bombastic Mellotron, what an inspired and enthousiastic band, they carry us away to Progheaven!

RIVERSIDE : Finally the Polish progrock sensation Riverside, their song starts with sensitive piano and electric guitar, gradually turn into a slow rhythm with a moving atmosphere delivering howling electric guitar and emotional overtones, the typical Riverside sound!

- This is an excellent progrock DVD with many highlights and an exciting line-up, highly recommended!

(THE) 7 SAMURAI – The Ultimate Epic (***)

Here is another project by Colossus and Musea, this time a CD featuring three bands, each with an ‘epic’ composition between 20 and 30 minutes.

CAP – Alla Corte Degli Eroi (27.03)

First the Italian band CAP, they deliver symphonic prog in the 24-carat tradition, wonderful ! After a dreamy intro with violin, flute and twanging acoustic guitar, the music turns into a lush and compelling prog sound with strong hints from the Classic Seventies Italian Prog featuring warm Italian vocals, lots of Grand piano, Hammond organ and Mellotron and fiery electric guitar. The powerful guitar and flute traverse work evoke Jethro Tull, a very popular band in Italy in the Seventies!

TEMPANO – The Farmers (26.19)

This band is from Venezuela, they also treat us on beautiful symphonic prog, very tastefully coloured by fat Moog flights and delicate work on the Hohner D6 clavinet, Farfisa organ and Rhodes electric piano. The music changes frequently and very fluently from dreamy with violin or a slow rhythm with soaring keyboards to propulsive with fiery guitar or bombastic with lush keyboards. At some moments there are vocals but it’s mainly instrumental prog.

TAPOBRAN – The Bandits (22.33)

Lots of progheads are eagerly waiting on their debut CD but first here they are with a very alternating contribution to this CD.

First an impressive intro with majestic violin-Mellotron and sweeping drum beats, followed by a swinging rhythm with flashy soli on Hammond organ and Moog synthesizer, this is ‘keyboard Heaven’, with obvious echoes from Keith Emerson! Then a mid-tempo with warm Italian vocals evoking Nuova Era (another wonderful ELP inspired Italian band). Suddenly the atmosphere turns into folky with flute, mandoline and violin, it reminds me of the Andean folk. Tapobran keeps on surprising us with lots of fine musical ideas: sweeping drums with powerful violin-Mellotron, a piece with clarinet and piano and finally a bombastic climate with propulsive Hammond waves and captivating interplay between saxophone and choir-Mellotron, supported by dynamic drumming, unique prog!

- This CD is highly recommended to all symphomaniacs on this earth .. and beyond!

PROGRESSIVE ROCK COVERS – Various Artists (***1/2)

The French progrock label Musea has compiled this CD from previously

earlier released Musea albums except the final song.

Track list:

1 - Toccata (7'39)

2 - Time (4'59)

3 - Immigrant Song (2'53)

4 - Birds Medley (7'52)

5 - Travelling Lady (5'33)

6 - Darkness - 11/11 (7'08)

7 - Child In Time (9'46)

8 - House With No Door (4'07)

9 - Kashmir (14'39)

10 - Dynamite (2'56)

11 - Strange Days (3'06)

12 - Exiles (4'51)

Performing bands:

1. GERARD (Japan)

2. PANGAEA (USA)

3. BLUE SHIFT (USA)

4. ARS NOVA (Japan)

5. LONDON UNDERGROUND (Italy)

6. TWENTY-FOUR HOURS (Italy)

7. QUIDAM (Poland)

8. HALLOWEEN (France)

9. NOW (Belgium)

10. DIFICIL EQUILIBRIO (Spain)

11. VISIBLE WIND (Canada)

12. Thierry CRUSEM & L'AUTRE SYSTEME (France)

In general th elevel of this CD is good, especially Gerard with Toccata from ELP and Ars Nova with Birds Medley from Tracé featuring splendid keyboard-driven prog with an awesome rhythm-section. Blue Shift with Immigrant Song from Led Zeppelin (very dynamic with captivating integration of organ) and Visible Wind with Strange Days from The Doors (very pleasant atmosphere, strong vocals and fiery wah-wah guitar). I don’t know the two VDGG songs by London Underground and Halloween but I enjoyed it. The rendition of the classic Child In Time from Deep Purple turned out to be the biggest disappointment on this CD, what a poor female vocals, only the strong work on flute and sensitive guitar saved Quidam! Very remarkable is Exiles from King Crimson by Thierry Crusem & L'Autre Systeme, it sounds very compelling with strong vocals, a dynamic rhythm-section, this band has succeeded to sound original while playing a cover.

In my opinion Musea has released a very interesting CD compilation although most songs can be found on earlier Musea CD releases.

VARIOUS ARTISTS (LABEL SAMPLERS) — Nearfest 2005 Rising To The Surface (***1/5)

- In 2005 the annual USA progfest festival Nearfest delivered a stunning serie of progrock bands during the two days, now you can enjoy it on DVD with a running time of three hours!

WOBBLER: This DVD starts with the acclaimed Swedish band Wobbler, their sound is similar to Anglagard but more varied. The play their demo-song Imperial Winter White Dwarf, a very alternating composition: from dreamy with flute and swinging with clavinet to bombastic with heavy choir-Mellotron eruptions and experimental with xylophone and wah-wah guitar. It’s great to witness the keyboard player who is surrounded by vintage keyboards, like Rick Wakeman in The Seventies! The vocals sound a bit mediocre but in general Wobbler delivers 20 minutes of wonderful Mellotron drenched and Seventies inspired prog.

FROGG CAFE: The stage is crowded with musicians on a wide range of instruments, from violin and guitar to keyboards and lot of woodwind and brass. The music (three tracks, half an hour) is a blend of several styles, from jazzrock to experimental, and it sounds swinging and melodic, a fien musical experience it it’s your cup of tea.

PRESENT: This is a belgian avant-garde formation with a cult status (according to the cover information), it’s not my music but I ahve to admot that they sound dynamic and adventurous during the 25 minutes on the song Promenade Au Fond D’Un Canal.

IQ: Neo prog legend IQ has released the 2-DVD On Stage that contains the Nearfest 2005 concert. On the Nearfest 2005 DVD you can find two tracks from that concert: Born Brilliant (intense vocals, sensitive electric guitar and lush violin-Mellotron) and the epic The Seventh House (alternating with lots of changing climates), it prooves that IQ is one of th eleading prog bands at this moment, what a great sound and inspired musicians!

KNIGHT AREA: In the mid-Nineties I witnessed a concert by Dutch progrock band Cliffhanger featuring bass player Gijs Koopman and guitarplayer Rinie Huigen, nowadays members of Knight Area: it was in the middle of nowhere and the attendance was 10 progheads.. great to see that more than 10 years later these two musicians are playing for many hundreds of progheads on this acclaimed USA progrock festival! And both musicians are also the driving forces on stage, Gijs with his enthousiastic walks and Rinie with his emotional performance, especially during the final song Mortal Drew (closing section) when he freaks out with a very moving solo, loaded with howling rungs. The other two tracks Conspiracy (the singer looks like Steve Perry from Journey) and The Run Also Rises alternate between a bit polished neo-prog and mainly symphonic prog with a lush keyboard sound (lots of bombastic Mellotron eruptions), the crowd hailes Knight Area with an enthousiastic applause, I amvery glad about that for my fellow Dutchmen!

THE MUFFINS: This band offers an adventurous and alternating musical experience but it’s not my cup of tea, too complex and experimental but if you like this music, you will be delighted, it sounds strong and elaborate.

MATTHEW PARMENTER: This man is the maverick of the festival with his white painted face and black eye mascara but he convinces me, what a beautiful, a bit dark music, I love the acoustic rhythm guitar, his fragile lyrics and emotional singing, the crowd loves it too.

KENSO: What a virtuosic, dynamic and exciting jazzrock, loaded with excellent runs on the synthesizer and great interplay in the opener Shining In The Sky. Funny to see the guitarplayer in his white doctors coat. Then we see lots of percussive keyboard sounds in Tjandi Bentar with mindblowing psychedelic screen projections, I amcarried away by those typical Sixties elements! Finally the track Echi Dal Foro Romano featuring sparkling piano, Kenso has delivered an outstanding performance!

LE ORME: The final gig on this DVD is by Italian progrock legend Le Orme who recently toured in Italy, Mandrakeroot and Andrea Cortese has told their enthousiastic stories! This 20 minutes version of the ‘ultimate’ Le Orme composition Felona E Sorona caused mixed feelings. On one hand I am impressed by the new Le Orme line-up with two excellent keyboard players (one on Hammond organ) and ‘veteran’ Aldo Tagliapietra on his spectacular looking twin-neck guitar but on the other hand I am not pleased with the drum solo after 8 minutes and the fact that the compelling grand finale has been deleted. Perhaps Le Orme will release it on a possible DVD of their recent tour ...?

Anyway, enjoy this great DVD that contains varied and inspired prog, highly recommended!

THE SPAGHETTI EPIC 2 (***)

Bands: Randone, La Voce Del Vento en Tilion (all bands 1 ‘epic’)

Again an impressive lay-out by the Finnish Colossus project: a huge booklet featuring lots of information, pictures and even cartoons about the famous movie The Good, The Bad And The Ugly, the subject on this album.

RANDONE  (Italy) – The Good (25.04)

This acclaimed new Italian five piece band delivers an alternating, very melodic composition in the 24-carat symphonic prog tradition with wonderful vintage keyboards (especially the omnipresent choir-Mellotron), strong interplay between keyboards and guitar, pleasant Italian vocals, powerful work on saxophone and lots of changing climates and breaks. It doesn’t sound original but very tasteful and I am sure many symphomaniacs will enjoy this music.

LA VOCE DE L VENTO (UK) – The Bad (24.23)

Despite the Italian bandname, this is a duo from the UK. Their music alternates between polished sounding prog/progressive pop and exciting ELP-like bombastic keyboard-driven symphonic prog. I am delighted about the parts with flashy Moog sounds, swirling Hammond runs and propulsive organ with wah-wah guitar, goose bumps!

TILION (Italy) – The Ugly (26.57)

This new Italian band turns out to be the new Il Balletto Di Bronzo because of the expressive vocals, fiery parts, raw guitar sound, avant-garde/experimental undertones and lots of surprising breaks and shifting moods: from swinging with jazzy Fender Rhodes piano to fat Moog flights with dramatic vocals or bombastic keyboards featuring Moog and Hammond, followed by experimental work on piano and theatrical vocals. To me the music by Tilion sounds as very intricate and compelling but not everybody’s cup of tea.......just like the sound of Il Balletto Di Bronzo on their legendary album Ys!

VARIOUS ARTISTS (LABEL SAMPLERS) — One World Tapestry - Progressive Rock (***1/5)

- Originally this CD is an idea by the Australian DJ Andrew Holbron because of the devastating Asian tsunami a few years ago but after the Interantional Red Cross has done a lot for the tsunami victims, Andrew changed his focus to the Sudanese refugees. If you buy this CD you help these people who live in terrible circumstances we cannot imagine because it is so far away from our houses with airco or central heating, our loaded refrigerators, our new iPods or wide screen TV’s or our holidays to Aruba, Greece, China or South-Africa.

This album has become a wonderful and varied musical journey, from folk to classical to symphonic rock: a pleasant mix of flute, acoustic guitar, mandoline and pan flute in Karakoram Waltz by the Swedish band In The Labyrinth, Al DiMeola-like acoustic guitar runs blended with violin and percussion in Hawa El Sahra by the Australian Steve Warner, strong prog folk with exciting violin work in InstruMental Breakdown by the USA musician Steve Unruh (once he played Neal Morse and Kevin Gilbert!), beautiful work on violin and Grand piano in Madrugada (excerpt) by Wiermann & Vogel, known from the Brasilian formation Quaterna Requiem, Nordic folk in Tolv Man by Styrbjorn Bergelt & Roland Hakansson from Sweden, a compelling blend of folk with mandoline and symphonic with bombastic church-organ in La Tour Haute by Vital Duo (known of the French progrock band Minimum Vital), classical flute by Attila Kollar with bombastich female choir and fiery electric guitar by the late Istvan Czigli (both know from Hungarian sensation Solaris) in Alchemy, didgeridoo in Gregorian by Robert Erdesz (also from Solaris) and pure symphonic rock with howling guitar and lush keyboards in Geracao Perdida by the overlooked Brasiliaanse prog folk band Pocos & Nuvens.

This is a CD to discover, what a pleasant and varied blend of folk, classical and symphonic!