ORIGINAL HITS

This CD is a compilation from my favorite Belgian symphonic rock band Machiavel their first five studio albums, recorded between 1976 (Machiavel) and 1980 (New Lines). Fortunately the emphasis is on the more symphonic rock era, later Machiavel made more polished and rock-based music (as you can hear on the tracks Fly, Over The Hill, Champagne In Amsterdam, Turn Off and Fade Away). Machiavel was inspired by Genesis and Yes but managed to create an own, very distinctive sound, based upon good, a bit high-pitched vocals, wonderful vintage keyboards, varied guitar work and a decent rhythm-section. The compositions sound elaborate and alternating: dreamy with twanging acoustic guitars, mellow synth drops and Mellotron waves and warm vocals in Rope Dancer and Mary, dynamic and ultra bombastic (exciting Moog flights and choir Mellotron) in Beyond The Silence and varied in Jester (from mid-tempo rock to compelling symphonic rock with lush keyboards ans sensitive electric guitar), Wisdom (howling guitar and great synth sounds), Rebirth (sparkling piano, majestic choir- Mellotron and flashy Moog runs) and Johan's Brother Told Me (wonderful string-ensemble sound and warm vocals in a melancholic climate).

THIS IS A GOOD INTRODUCTION TO THE BEST BELGIAN SYMPHONIC ROCK BAND!!