LIGHT

I originally got in touch with this band as I remembered reviewing an album in the 90's, but I really should have done my homework as while that band was from Holland, these guys are from Argentina. A fourpiece, they comprise Claudio Delgift (guitar/vocals), ONE (keyboards), Leandro Biera(bass) and Francisco Carpintero (drums) although I note that Ian Beabout (Colin Tench and others) provided flute on one track on this their debut, which came out at the beginning of last year. If I didn't know when this had been released, or the country from which they are based, I would have thought that this was also from the 90's (although the production is far superior) as this is a solid neo-prog. The rhythm section keeps it tight, and this leaves the keyboards to provide what is often a backup melody while the guitar is very much hard rock based with lots of lead lines when the power chords are kept away. Although they start with an instrumental track, the band do use vocals as well, and this is the one area which somewhat lets them down. It's not that Claudio doesn't have a reasonable voice, it's just that I feel they may benefit from having a specialist singer. That being said they do have somewhat lengthy instrumental sections, which would explain why they are a quartet.

It certainly doesn't sound as if it comes from South America, South London would have been my bet if I hadn't known, as this is very reminiscent of what was on the circuit back in the day. They have already released the follow up, which I haven't heard, and on that one they have managed to secure the services of none other than Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater/Sons Of Apollo/Joe Bonamassa) for one song so they are certainly starting to make a name for themselves. Definitely for fans of neo prog, this is a band to keep an eye on.