ILUSÕES

"Ilusões" is the first record of one-man-band 'Tesis Arsis' aka Brazilian composer Anderson Rodrigues, released in 2002.The influences on "Ilusões" go from Larry 'Synergy' Fast (who is IMO the major influence for Rodrigues), for the Synth work and the overall symphonic construction, Steve Hackett for the solo guitar playing, the Italian group 'Goblin' for the organ work and the dark and 'scary' athmospheres to composer Bernard Herrman for the orchestral arrangements. All tracks, most over ten minutes, are carefully build up.

'Ilusões', the title track, is a good opener, alternating several themes among them a nice glockenspiel theme and some Hackett inspired guitar solos.

'Cemitério dos Vivos' is the most obiously 'Goblin' influenced track. It starts with the typical, syncopated heavy organ à la Goblin creating a horror film like athmosphere, followed by a guitar solo and a gong ponctuating the threatening rhythm. A gurgling synth and a string pad create a 'Psycho' like tension, leaving place to an organ/drum duo reminding Genesis.After another lead guitar line the opening 'Goblin' theme comes back, followed by a saw-tooth synth solo and a peaceful finale.

'Num Tempo Só' is the most 'Synergy' like track, a repetitive beautiful main theme alternates with a second theme creating a dreamlike athmosphere.

'Hale Bopp' is the most interesting track clocking in about 20 minutes. It is always difficult to keep the tension for such long tracks, but Rodrigues masters this exercise brillantely. He alternates different themes, one reminding again strongly 'Goblin' and another 'Oldfield' like theme with a great Hackett inspired guitar solo.

'Ilusões' is a brillant 'exercise de style' for a one-man-rock orchestra.