NOWHERE

This is a pretty good Neo Prog album that is fairly heavy. In their liner notes this Italian band thanks GARDEN WALL and STEVE MORSE. The vocalist sings in English and has a deep voice not to unlike Geoff Tate from QUEENSRYCHE. There are some very good guitar melodies and solos throughout this record.

My favourite song is the first song "Dreaming Children", the vocals and guitar all come together to make a special tune. More great guitar in "Nothing to Say" and "Shadows". "The Land Of Silence" is darker and dominated by vocals. "Hot Wind" is almost 80's sounding with some nice harmonies. I like it. I really like the guitar and keyboard melody that keeps reappearing in "Free Choice", it's a faster paced, fun song. Lastly there is some beautiful piano in "Flowing River".

I was surprised how good this was, especially when it was so difficult to find out anything about these guys. 3 stars.

Second and last album ''Nowhere'' by Top Left Corner comes within a two-year period following the release of ''Mystery book''.Music Is Intelligence, a label always by the side of the heavier bands of Prog Rock, was again the promotional home of the Italians' sophomore effort.

The album shows Top Left Corner becoming a bit more risky compared to their debut.Do not expect something very complex or imaginative, it is just the fact that their music became more carefully structured with emphasis on discreet breaks and offering plenty of connections between different themes.The overall path is still the heavier side of Neo Prog, delivered with an epic sound, featuring lots of atmospheric synthesizers and propulsive riffs next to the good guitar melodies and solos.Vocals are once more delivered in a high-pitch mode, showcasing links even with Prog Metal bands, but the intense lead guitars, the energetic grooves and the alternations between impressive rhythmic tones and elaborate melodies are certain ingredients of the Neo Prog scene.The sound is very close to compatriots MARATHON and Germans INES by that point, creating heavy, atmospheric music with a deep, lyrical content.They can even get extremely dramatic in almost gothic enviroments here and there, but the constant use of synthesizers instead of analog keyboards link Top Left Corner as one the typical examples of 90's Heavy/Neo Prog.

It appears that the band dissolved soon after the release of ''Nowhere''.Guitarist Sergio Ghiotto had a brief involvement with Italian Neo Prog veterans Asgard, with whom he recorded the 2000 ''Drachenblut'' album.

One of the countless entries ofn the Neo Prog discography of the 90's.This is pretty cool, epic Neo Prog with heavier overtones, well-executed and recommended to all fans of the style.