MAGUS

Much of a one-person project,US act Magus was formed in 1985 by multi-instrumentalist Andrew Robinson after his circuit in several cover bands in order to focus on writing original material.The project released a number of demos between 1987 and 1993,before the encouraging return of Progressive Rock forced Robinson to record the self-titled debut of Magus.This saw the light in 1995 on Sky Pine Music with the help of sessions musicians on keyboards and piano.

Very far from being adventurous,intricate or ambitious,''Magus'' heads to an atmospheric,slightly spacey and even New-Agey rock attitude with strong use of vocals and down-tempo compositions with extended guitar parts,thus reminding of PORCUPINE TREE's approach,PINK FLOYD's spaceness,MIKE OLDFIELD's atmospherics and even CAMEL's commercial days.The sound however is too modern to say the least with surreal synthesizers,cheap sound effects and very plastic drumming throughout,somewhat burying some of Robinson's interesting guitar ideas.The compositions differ from electric material with spacey synthesizers to acoustic work-outs with plenty of vocals,far from anything memorable and without any strong sense of melody.Additionally some of the synth-based instrumental material is over-stretched and slightly boring along the way.

Not exactly a progressive release,Magus' debut is a journey through atmospheric soundscapes,led by long electric solos,electronic treatments and sensitive vocals, without being anythning trully interesting or captivating and with a few changing moods throughout.Recommended only for specific daytimes,when you are in a mood for some hypnotic,atmospheric musicianship.