CASTLE OF NOI

Going straight to my analysis: First and second tracks seem to form the same set. I'll analyze them as one song. It begins pompous and gentle. Soon the keys get faster, with great combination of tunes, and drummer acompanies splendidly, making excellent transitions and combinations of cymbals, toms and drums. Great female vocals, despite being sung on their language. Its Performance on the whole album to me is almost as good as Hiroko Nagai , from Pageant and Mr Sirius. Bass is generally present - firm and quick. Guitar is very grandious, with high and long notes.

A friend of mine had a japanese girlfriend, and he made her tell him what the lyrics were about. They're part or parts of the story(ies) contained in a japanese cartoon. This helps to explain some peculiar vocals on third track that are a bit childish and theatrical. I love it. Even though I don't understand anything of japanese, helps me to feel a bit of the mood and vibe of each character.

What a marvelous composition is executed on 4th track! It resumes the pompous symphonic prog of second track, enrichened by the use of marching musical phrasings. Guitar is particularly inspired.

A piano with an erudit touch opens the next track. The male vocals are good but not phenomenal. Fortunately, vocals are used only on the first half of this song. Instrumental is smooth and enveloping.

The whole song that opens side B is a killer! Harmonies switch very nice from one to another, mantaining intensity and fluidity. Even the male vocals here are great, very passionate.

Last track starts similar to the first, but quickly changes the mood. Again they bring the superb female vocals. Instrumentally, some complex and fast harmonies from one and a half minutes beyond are played, and sometimes some of those childish vocals appear, in very precise occasions. This gives the composition a special touch. And their criativity and proficiency goes further, because they also add some lyric parts and some piano.

This is one of the great symphonic prog efforts from that country. 4.5 stars.