LE MASQUE D'ARLEQUIN

Neo-prog? No, I agree with the other reviewer that White Chapel their music belongs in the Heavy Prog category. So when Heavy Progheads are scrutinizing PA for their favourite music at this moment, they will miss White Chapel, and Neo-Progheads will feel disappointed.

The sound from this French five piece on their debut CD (from 2006) entitled Le Masque D'Arlequin reminds me of the 'Vikings' of Swedish rockband Europe: fluent rhythms featuring propulsive guitar riffs, a heavy rhythm-section and sumptuous keyboard layers, with lots of room for biting guitar runs and flashy synthesizer flights. But White Chapel has a less polished and more adventurous approach than Europe. The vocals are in French, I am not surprised that the booklet mentions Christian Dechamps, singer of the legendary French progrock band Ange. Between the mainly fluent, heavy and bombastic inspired tracks, we can also trace some mellow songs: the dreamy Elixer and the compelling Sarajevo (about the former Yugoslavia), you can feel the emotion about the sad history in the howling runs!

To me White Chapel sounds very pleasant, it was a good start but unfortunately still no signs of life from this promising French band.

My rating: 3 stars.