NOBODY CARES

Very fine band from Switzerland. Their second album is my first entry into their world (or should I say Jean-Pierre Schenk´s world, since the band is his brainchild). At first I must say it sounded a little too repetitive and kind of boring. The heavy Pink Floyd influence is evident and I thought they may be just another band of copycats gone wrong, or little more than that.

After some repeated listenings I found their overall sound to be actually richer than I first thought and the songs much more captivating also. Ok, nothing is really new here, but it sounds sincere and very well crafted. The old Hammond organ and the guitar solos are specially good: emotional and melodic. The eletronic drums were never of my liking, but actually works for this kind of style, more laid back and soft. It would be great if they put some more bombastic parts to add a little more power to their sound here and there. It would sure bring my rating to four stars, since it is obvious they are talented musicians and do know how to write good melodies.

In the end I found this CD quite pleasant and promising. I´m looking forward to hear their most recent works. A band to watch for. Recommended for fans of Pink Floyd, Pendragon, Like Wendy, etc.

This is my second review for this Swiss band which is catalogued as "Symphonic Prog".

Well, honestly it should probably bettert sit under neo prog category but I don't decide this... Just listen to the opener "Looking For Somewhere" to have some sort of an approach. A cliché of when they were three, really. OK, it is not too bad. But still?It has been heard tens of times (to say the least as far as I am concerned).

Things are not getting any better with "Home Again": some poor vocals are destroying this syrupy ballad. It is best avoided. You might know what I suggest in these cases: press next of course.

What follows is average music: borrowed themes all the way through even if some emotional moments are available ("Full Moon Rising Tonight") and the best track from this work: the long and very much guitar-oriented "Glimmer". THE one and only highlight.

This album might please any neo-prog fan who is not too much concerned about creativity. You might know that this is not quite my profile?It is also quite incredible how bands decide about the title of a track or an album. In this case, calling this one as "Nobody Cares" is really an indication?Even if the final guitar solo available during the closing number ("Before All Is Over") is damned good!

Two stars.

Dominique Schlafer's service with Metamorphosis would proove to be really brief and for the second release of the project Jean-Pierre Schenk would handle the bass synth to record the rhythmic parts.David Grillon's role would be upgraded, as he plays the guitar in five of the eight new tracks, while new face Milena Zaharieva plays the flute in one track.With guitarist Giova Esposito as the only other stable member, Metamorphosis' sophomre effort would be revealed in 2003 on Gallileo Records, entitled ''Nobody cares''.

Jean-Pierre Schenk is a huge PINK FLOYD fan, no question about it, and this abum sounds a lot like his idols.But instead you should actually remove Richard Wright from the picture and enter Mark Kelly of MARILLION instead.This would be an accurate description of Metamorphosis' style, which combines the spacey Art Rock textures of mid-70's PINK FLOYD with the nervous and angular synth layers of early MARILLION.The compositions are long, atmospheric and sensitive with interesting melodies, nice background keyboards, including organ, and delicate vocal lines in a full FLOYD-ian mood, as it happens during the first half of the album.While unfolding, ''Nobody cares'' becomes more and more versatile and interesting.''Full moon's rising tonight'' contains strong GENESIS vibes in the flute and acoustic parts, not to mention a more PETER GABRIEL-type of singing, to go along with powerful synth flashes, while the 13-min. long ''Glimmer'' combines the spacey, lyrical side of PINK FLOYD with some IQ keyboard grandiosity in the symphonic parts.Among the great keyboard rains some lovely piano lines help on delivering mellow and calmer, imaginative soundscapes.The grand epilogue comes with the closing, almost 10-min. long, ''Before all is over'', a beautiful mix of spacey, orchestral textures with rhythmic MARILLION-esque tunes ala ''Market square heroes'' and expressive vocal breaks with organ supporting.

Amazing, melodic, rich and atmospheric Neo/Space Prog Rock with efficient guitar/keyboards textures and excellent vocals.A must-have for all PINK FLOYD and MARILLION freaks, definitely highly recommended.