4 VISIONS

Eskaton is one of the pioneering bands of the Zeuhl scene, but one that took a long time to start releasing studio albums due to their early years being dedicated to experimental live music (they formed in 1970 and their first album was only recorded in 1979!). In the mid 70s, the band broke up for about a year due to government recalls of some of the band members, but then they were easily reinstated and, all the previous years of experience and effort together with the energy to return, bore fruit in the creation of a masterpiece.

4 Visions is an album so wise, sober, deep and delicate at the same time that it is easy to digest for those who have not yet descended many stairs in the Zeuhl world, so it can function as a gateway thanks to its perfection. What makes this album great is that it maintains a very high standard all the time, the consistency is very professional and, no matter how many twists and turns it may take, everything will remain stable and entertaining.

André Bernardi's bass is absolutely protagonist and responsible for the rhythmic work and the changes that may arise. The expert level of this man's bass playing will remove any doubts. When it comes to singing, Paule Kleynnaert and Amara Tahir: voices that were definitely born to do Zeuhl! Their religious and existential singing fits perfectly with the galactic atmosphere that builds as the minutes go by. By the way, the percussion is impeccable! By Gérard Konig (who also plays all the flutes on this album), the listener's brain is moved everywhere in the mental sphere. Brothers Gilles and Marc Rozenberg are in charge of spectacular synthesizers that stand out all the time, and Eric Guillaume handles (also together with Marc) the electric piano only on two out of four tracks, being the least protagonist member.

Is it instrumentally comparable to Magma? Well yes, the influences of their first albums are definitely here. Is it comparable to Magma lyrically? Not at all! The spiritual direction and message of this album is totally disconnected from Christian Vander's story. 4 Visions talks about man standing on Earth as a thinking being, individual and constant antagonist of his struggle, his existential problems and everything that prevents him from growing spiritually. There are no invented stories or invincible superior beings intervening here. "Life is already too short to be careful: the heart of stone is already smiling at us".

The melody has never been so neoclassical and exquisite!

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