APOCALYPSE

The undisputed leader of the Brazilian Neo/Symph Prog scene.Apocalypse were found by keyboardist Eloy Fritsch in 1983 around the Caxias do Sul area with some schoolmates being his supporting crew at the very beginning.First solid line-up comes within the same year with Ruy Fritsch on guitars and Chico Fasoli on drums.In 1984 comes the first demo of the group and for five years Apocalypse played numerous lives in the biggest Rock festivals, building a good fame.A second demo was produced during these years and in 1990 they entered the studio to record their first proper album with Eloy Fritsch on keyboards, Fasoli on drums and Chico Casara on lead vocals, guitar and bass.It was released the following year in vinyl format on the Acit label.

Eleven tracks of fast, dense and MARILLION-esque Neo Prog was the band's early style, still containing plenty of symphonic hints, albeit less apparent compared to their future releases.The music is heavily based on Fritsch'es fantastic synthesizers and the sporadic guitar breakouts of Casara, who had also a passionate and expressive voice with all lyrics being delivered in Portuguese.Most of the pieces are characterized by strong synth runs and quirky rhythmic parts with emphatic vocals, where the music of ALPHA III comes often in mind.Among this bombastic Neo-Prog stuff there are still a few pieces with a more grandiose and orchestral atmosphere, led by melodramatic vocals and cinematic keyboards/piano.Despite the fact that the album is heavily relying on keyboards, bass and drums only, Fritsch appears to be a great, talented keyboardist already from his young age, his performance contained floating electronics, symphonic moves and angular solos in equal doses.A very nice surprise comes also from the group's decent cover on MARILLION's ''Lavender'', sung in Portuguese.

These realy footprints of Apocalypse are no less than British-influenced Neo Prog delivered in their native language.Nice and collectable vinyl with some passionate music and even a few vibes from E.L.P. and RICK WAKEMAN in the keyboard section.Recommended.