GUERRERS DE MITJANIT

It took 6 years for this catalan band to release their 2nd album (bringing also a change of spelling from 'Dr. No' to 'Doctor No') and 2 more to get it released by a decent label (Musea). Compared to their already decent debut this album sounds much better and much more professional, now sounding at standard international level. The addition of drummer Jordi Salvador is a huge improvement, and new bulgarian guitarist Vili Pankov delivers more modern-sounding solos ranging in style from Steve Rothery to Gary Moore to Richie Sambora. The musical direction is still a very accessible melodic neo-prog, the early Marillion influences are still there but much less obvious, now they sound more like generic neo, sometimes in borderline with crossover, but also with some clearly symphonic parts.

While the debut 'El Bufo De La Cort' had a very consistent level around 3 stars, here we find more variation, a great 24-min symphonic epic, several good neo songs and 2 weak pop songs, but these account for only 10 out of 68 minutes of music so one should not be too harsh about them.

The 24-min title epic (penultimum track) is excellent symphonic, this track alone is worth having the album, with many changes and lyrics (in catalan in all the album) about the catalan warriors who fought the castilians (and lost) in 1714. But before that we have a bit of everything.

'Al Final La Llum' (At Last The Light) is a typical neo upbeat opening track, nearly 8-min long song, much in the style of IQ or early Pendragon, good if you like that.

Then we have the 2 weakest tracks, 'No Oblidis Mai' (Never Forget) which is a radio-friendly single, not prog but not bad, and 'Angel De Foscor' (Dark Angel) which is a dispensable AOR song. But don't give up too early, things get better from here.

'Miralls' (Mirrors) is a good introspective song clearly inspired by Marillion's She Chameleon, then we have the 15-minute 3-part Nazdrave which visits many different moods: upbeat, slow, mid-tempo, a beautiful classical piano section, back to mid-tempo neo? a very good song overall.

Then we have the 24-min star epic already referred to, pure great symphonic worth the album, really, lots of changes and nice atmospheres here.

The last track 'Herois' (Heroes (Come Back Home)) closes the album with an upbeat and more optimistic touch, telling to the warriors who fought and were defeated that they have to come back home where they will anyway be praised, even if the war was lost.

Those who seek highly complex prog must stay away from this, but recommendable to fans of melodic symphonic neo-prog who are fond of discovering obscure bands and albums.