THE GODDESS OF DARKNESS

''Transi'' gave the opportunity to Ars Nova to become known worldwide, leading to an invitation for a live at the 95' Progfest in the USA, the first ever live performance of the trio outside Japan.The bombastic music of the band led to an interest by the Musea label.As a result the third album ''The goddess of darkness'' was released in 1996 both in Japan on Made in Japan and in Europe on Musea.The two versions feature different tracklists.

Eventually the title of the album reflects perfectly to the music of Ars Nova, who now had fully developed their own haunting Symphonic Rock style.The three goddesses from Japan play again an intricate, bombastic and very complex music, led by Kumagai's unque keyboard executions and the solid rhythm section.While stylistically not much have changed, the composing of Ars Nova has become extremely solid with impressive solos, twists and breaks, resulting though to well-arranged and tightly delivered long symphonic, instrumental suites.The trio seems absolutely passionate and restless with endless changing themes and tempos in a very short time, led by majestic Mellotrons, mascular synthesizers and pounding Hammond organ.Full of Classical inspirations and a special influence from soundtracks, ''The goddess of darkness'' starts from pompous DEVIL DOLL-like orchestrations, passes from frenetic E.L.P.-influenced keyboard experiments and ends up in romantic, Baroque-inspired themes in a LE ORME vein.Absolutely efficient and compact music, reminiscent of the best moments of GERARD.The only negative point I could find are some scarce yet apparent 80's-styled synths lines with a questionable sound.

Ars Nova at their peak.Bombastic, semi-personal, E.L.P.-styled Symphonic Rock with a huge amount of great parts.An album to remember, highly recommended to all Progressive Rock fans.