ALTER ECHOES

'La Bikina (Luis Miguel)' on a cheerful metal opera tune, Alex's guitar work is reminiscent of that of Brian from Queen, a surprising prog mariachi. 'And if in addition there's no one (Alain Souchon)' begins a singular a cappella before the riff bringing a prog djent-nu metal side, a progressive fusion with soft and screaming vocals ah yes it's Thomas' touch which varies without difficulty its sound range; spatial atmospheric end. 'Force your way (Final Fantasy VIII)' for the instrumental with riff on a synth which announces a frenzied rhythm; Alex shows his dexterity, yes he works hard and the heavy Devin Townsend and Dream Theater reminiscences feel; airy, solemn piano break, like Thin Lizzy, just that; smoothly carried out it feels like the clouds of Olympus but the finale recalls the metallic slope. 'All I want for Christmas is you (Mariah Carey)' the serious intro; Thomas is responsible for taking the title to create a baroque metal sound; very elaborate compared to the original. 'I'll be there for you (The Rembrandts)' Sacha's bass heating the air, prog is moving away, jazz no longer exists; we are on heavy punk growl vocals that move hard; prog is just the sound and the colorful blood and the memory of Friends. 'Take on me (A- Ha)' yes we had to dare that one, fresh, airy, depressed pop song at the start before the phrase which went around the world; an energetic groove, breaks between the voice and the rhythm, a cinematic keyboard to cast doubt and this chorus seeming to come from elsewhere.

Synapse releases an EP of pre-Christmas covers mixing the original tracks with their touch; it's stunning, far from their original prog jazz-rock sound but the breaks clearly show the progressive dimension of this young, musically well-stocked group; it's confusing, intriguing and perhaps the best way to find a wider audience; it's fresh and innovative. (3.5)