CROSKILL

The word Croskill, in a general way, represents a machine that plows the land while crushing stones. Tricky Illusion, would say a poet. The unusualy name can be attached to the band's effort to asure special results. Escape Into Fantasies is their first album and a particular example of hard work. Recorded in December 1990, on an 8-track reel-to-reel recorder, no overdubs, practically live, no room for error. At a time when it was difficult for Brazilians to access good equipment, especially if they lived in the Northeast region of the country, far from large centers such as São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. Marcus Varela (vocals and guitar), Eri Soares (bass and vocals) and Jucian Lima (drums and vocals) together already represent a reference for Brazilian Prog Metal (today this album is considered by many as the first concept album of Brazilian Prog Metal) for the totally self-taught way in which they built it at that time. The album includes nine tunes which altogether unite the following idea: man's fragility at the present time plus, his fears of an unsure coming future. The first song Escape Into Fantasies starts with a 7x4 bar and the first note of the guitar being the third and not the tonic, a simple detail, apparently unimportant but that from the outset, already shows the sound intention of the band and the song expresses our doubts, pessimism, chaos and our impotence. Rhythm & solo guitars coming one after the other reflect man's afflictions followed by Jucian's strong drum beat. The song The Unknown Meanings analyzes and questions the real threats of life, the soft and sometimes aggressive tone of the voice refers to any person's deepest thoughts, followed by powerful guitar solos. In Quest Of Truth, the third song, the character finally realizes that the suffering will surely last through future incarnations. The band's musical utopia is safely hidden behind multiplied cadency cariations. First side's last song, Where Life Ends, compares the world at the present time and hell; maybe hell as described by Giotto maybe just as Bosch described it. Strumming and ruthless drum beating are heard. As if the character's life, at that moment, was represented in an asylum, with no possibility of release. When the album is released, Days Of No Trust begins. It resembles the first song on the album in which man's apathy towards the world was made clear. No one can be trusted in these dark days. This song has an offensive tone emphasized by Eri's bass, somewhat reminiscent of Voivod perhaps. The next one Looking For The Fluids Of Reason relates to mankind weakness when it's necessary to face their own destiny. The idea mentioned above contrasts with sucessive guitar solos. Scattered By The Winds Of Time ends man's Via Crucis. It Reveals human beings regular behavior - The necessity of self destruction emphasized once more by bass guitar. The storm's over. Croskill's sound is reminiscent of Fates Warning and sometimes Iron Maiden and Rush. An intriguing mix. The ballad Wings Of Destiny exorcises the sad feeling according to Croskill's point of view. Awakening closes the album and brings a message of hope to the character or humanity. Finally, the violin and classical guitar bring heavy metal to an old reality ? the music of the renaissance. To improve any description, it is a must to observe Croskill's playing and skilled techniques. They escaped the raw truth about Brazilian heavy metal - repetition. It has become important to seek different and alternative paths. Croskill certainly goes down a separate path and hopes they stick to it. At the time, with all the difficulties they faced, they forged a path at the forefront of heavy Brazilian music.