SO CLOSE AND YET SO FAR AWAY

Greek outfit VERBAL DELIRIUM was initially formed by composer and keyboardist Jargon back in 1999, but numerous line-up alterations over the next few years resulted in no real progress for the first few years of its existence. A demo was scored in 2007, and with what appeared to be a stabilized personnel situation a full-length debut album was recorded in 2009. The material recorded earned them a deal with the French label Musea Records, which released the album towards the tail end of 2010.

Strong moods and distinct melodies are at the forefront of the material showcased by Verbal Delirium on this occasion, and as such those with a fancy for capital P progressive rock may not find what they are looking for in this case. But those with a soft spot for acts like Sylvan, especially the more recent parts of their discography, should be a core audience for this band. While different in overall stylistic expression, I believe the overall dynamics of the compositions should resonate well with that particular crowd.

The story of this Greek band from Athens dates back in 1999, when Jargon (aka John Kosmidis, keyboards, vocals) and Nik Michailidis (bass) found Verbal Delirium, but a more stable line-up would occur around mid-00's with guitarist Giorgos Maniatis and drummer Lazaros Papanastasiou.After the 2007 demo "The imprisoned words of fear" both left the band and were replaced by Nikitas Kissonas and Tolis Liapis respectively.In 2009 Verbal Delirium recorded their debut ''So Close and Yet So Far Away'' at MI Studios in Athens, released the next year on Musea.By the time of the release the band was reduced to a trio with Liapis actually participating as a guest musician in the booklet notes, while the group had already found its replacement on Gregory Pavlakos.

The debut of the Greeks shows a band with excellent composing skills and a semi-personal style, trying to combine the heavy and psychedelic elements of PORCUPINE TREE with the dreamy still grandiose approach of modern Neo Prog groups like BELIEVE, VIENNA CIRCLE or NINE STONES CLOSE.The album is characterized by a variety of superb ideas, such as unusual chord progressions, ethereal melodies, bombastic orchestrations, some passionate groovy parts, while there are tons of changing climates even in the same track, which range from sensitive vocal parts to powerful and well-crafted instrumental themes.However these elements are mixed in a perfect way and the marriage between strong guitar riffs and distortions with warm vocal parts, dominant pianos and sharp synthesizers result a bunch of memorable musical themes.There is also certain Hogarth-era MARILLION-esque flavor in the music, especially on the great atmospheric passages, which is more than welcome.Additionally Verbal Delirium manage to keep a fantastic balance between gears and breaks in the album and this fact makes the listening even more fascinating.

Excellent debut for this Greek group.A real highlight of 2010 with musicianship that can be complicated, grandiose and melodic at the same time and with the same comfort.Grab this one immediately, no less than highy recommended.