HAGO

Promising start from a band that describe their music as ''falafel djent'' - not entirely an accurate description but hints to some of the main musical avenues they explore: near-eastern music and heavy progressive metal. The other main component, and perhaps most prominent, is that of jazz-fusion, which they execute brilliantly. Two members, Yoel Genin and Yogev Gabay, are also in the Israeli progressive metal band Distorted Harmony, therefore the bonding is already there for a mature result.

Trioscapes, Seven Impale and Panzerballet are some of the bands that come to mind listening to this debut album; if you add the near-eastern influences to their music, this pretty much sums up what you are expecting to get out of this experience. The focus is more on the development of the composition on jazz-fusion substrates instead of the building on progressive metal and later adding the jazz sprinkle. Saxophone is prominent, hence the resemblance to the aforementioned bands, but the tilt towards the Israeli music moves them away from being directly compared to them, apart from perhaps 2-3 tracks where the influences are stronger.

For a near-purely instrumental album, structure and cohesion marks are high, with interest fading slightly in tracks where the Panzerballet madness virus strikes (Antikythera, Tralfamadore). Varied compositions such as ''Shdemati'', ''Aurora'', ''Ancient Secrets'' contain most of what a demanding progressive metal fan would ask for in a new venture. As it stands, ''HAGO'' is an intelligent, skilled set of musical tracks demonstrating prowess and creativity. Taking this to the next level with a more structured approach and musical concept might produce an album even more memorable. 3.5 stars.