VISIBLE WIND

Line-up shakes were not a strange fact for Visible Wind.After the release of ''A moment beyond time'' Philippe Woolgar left the band (he later released the solo album ''Duo de ciel''), but he was instantly replaced by Claude Rainville.Third album ''Emergence'' was recorded in a country house during the spring of 92' and released two years later indendently by the band, even if a couple of reissue by major labels are around.It appears to be concept work around a desperate salesman losing his passion for life, empty of any motivation or ambition.

The development of ''Emergence'' is pretty weird.It opens with one of the most complex pieces written by Visible Wind, the 14-min. long ''Sweet perdition''.Not complex in a King Crimson way of course, but this is definitely a great piece of music, showcasing Visible Wind at their most symphonic, only comparable to the sound of COLLAGE and the likes, evolving from bombastic, symphonic keyboards to laid-back, lyrical moments and containing some nice and suprising twists and, as expected, some melodic guitar work.The following few tracks, although not that ambitious, maintain the good composing quality, lyrical depth and atmospheric colors, for which the Canadians were known for.These go in a typical Neo Prog path, but appear to be heavier and more pounding than anything produced by the band before, sometimes reminiscent of Swedish act GALLEON, with exciting grooves, keyboard breaks and very energetic guitar and bass.After the middle there is certain turn towards the style displayed by the band during its early years, a late-70's GENESIS feeling is evident throughout with emphasis on lyrics, downtempo rhythms, background synths and mellow guitars, while melody becomes eventually a priority during the farewell moments.Always well-crafted material, even if the energy is held down a bit.

Great work.The long, opening track alone is a good reason to buy the album, but fortunaely the rest of it is also pretty nice as well.Definitely among the controversial works by Visible Wind, which I personally loved at the end.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.

Narcissus goes to the moon from 1996 is their best album to me, here almost all went perfect from the voice, intelligent instrumental passages and solid sound.. The influences now are less evident as before , the band sounding really tight and original. I was really impressed by the great amount of keybords here, and how Stephen Geysens manage to come with so many diffrent layers and ides with this instrument, really great. The guitar sound solid then ever before and is perfect examples every pieces of the album. Opening with a short but effective instrumental tune A Succulent Anachronic Pastiche whwre the syths sound very solid, nice runs up and doun on the instrument, great opener, Fuzzy concept is another highlight here with great flute and guitar parts. Intravenous, not the intro with same name , but the real piece clocking around 11 min is a marvelous neo prog tune, much more elastic in arrangements then on many neo prog bands, where the instrumental sections are simply said killer, the keyboards and guitar are amazing and how eneters nicely in the atmosphere. The ending track clocking around 21 min is a tour de force, Visible Wind here shines in the best way possible, all the great ideas they gathered across the years is present here. Nice moods, twists from more mellow parts to more uptempo, here the band is in the best form ever. excellent track. So to me their best album for sure and one of the most unnoticed nep prog albums from the '90's and better then many well nown albums of that period. 4 stars easy and recommended, funny cover art front and back.

A moderatly known band from neo prog zone coming from Canada with 5 albums in thier pockets so far. Emergence from 1994 is a good album whwre the arrangements a la Marillion, specially in guitar parts melt very well with their own twists resulting a fairly decent album to my ears. The voice is ok, nothing groundbreaking but fits more then good in the music sound and some very intresting instrumental passages are present. A more guitar oriented album then previous two but aswell the keybords are present more or less on each piece giving a more eleborated sound. The opening track is for me the best Sweet perdition, nearly 15 min of pure bliss, the instrumental parts are killer in the first 9 min when enter the voice, excellent musicianship and atmosphere. The guitar is superb on this track giving a Floydian influencewith spacey solos, the keyboards aswell are killer here, what a damn solid tune in the end. The rest of the pieces are ok, nothing is bad but nothing is really impressive like the opening track. Visible Wind remind me in places with germans High Wheel in manner of aproaching the neo prog zone. So, good towards great in places but definetly not as solid and inventive as their ext opus Narcissus who is their best work for sure.

The Canadian band performed numerous live shows after ''Catharsis'',but their good activity was not enough to hold singer Christopher Wells on board.His replacement came within the band's member crew with keyboardist Stephen Geysens taking over the vocal duties.Shortened to a quartet Visible Wind recorded the follow-up of ''Catharsis'', entitled ''A Moment Beyond Time'', released on the US Progressive Records.

The overall style hasn't changed much compared to the debut with the band insisting on playing melodic progressive rock with a bit of AOR thrown in and based more on atmosphere and less on complexity,maybe a couple of tracks are a bit more complex this time.Additionally the compositions have again a strong lyrical content with Geysens prooving to be a great and emotional singer,with also one track being sung in French.A good combination of synths and organ with an accesible approach make the band's influences obvious and these are mainly GENESIS of the 75's-80's era along with some SAGA and RUSH vibes.The guitar work of Philippe Woolgar remains a reference point with plenty of memorable hooks,while there is also some more space for instrumental passages on this sophomore release,which end up to be quite interesting.The album though suffers at moments from the mediocre poppish production of the time and some cheap synth sounds on a few tracks.

While I slightly prefer their debut over ''A Moment Beyond Time'',this new album by Visible Wind still finds the band grounded in progressive rock fields with some great musicianship throughout,despite the light commercial tendencies.Recommended, especially to fans of easy- going progressive rock.

This is VISIBLE WIND's fourth album and the first where they started to sound like...well VISIBLE WIND. This is where they got off of that MARILLION-like Neo-Prog train they had been on.This is inventive and quite heavy at times. I do think the follow-up "Barb-A-Baal-A-Loo" is their best but this is in the same style.There's a fair amount of mellotron, Fender Rhodes, harmonium and flute besides the usual instruments. It's kind of cool that Jean- Philippe Goulet from INDISCIPLINE adds some violin here. I love that INDISCIPLINE album called "Non-Obvious Ride".The lyrics here are in both English and French like the follow-up. A lot of these tracks blend into each other.

"A Succulent Anachronic Pastiche" opens with percussion and organ as the guitar and bass join in. Great sound ! It does settles some with synths and blends into "Fuzzy Concept" where it settles more and vocals join in. Nice guitar solo after 4 minutes followed by spoken word samples then flute. It starts to build then the vocals return. "By The River" opens with the birds singing in a tranquil setting.They stop as it continues to be pastoral. "Xenophobia" is one of my favourites. Sparse sounds as reserved vocals join in. It kicks in before 2 minutes then it settles back with flute as contrasts continue. I like the heavier sections on this one a lot. Mellotron ends it. "Introvenus" is a short spacey piece. "Intravenus" is also a top three. Acoustic guitar as French vocals come in. Flute before 1 1/2 minutes. A full sound follows as synths, mellotron, guitar, chunky bass then drums come in. I like the fat bass lines with organ and drums 5 1/2 minutes in.The guitar joins in too.Vocals are back 8 1/2 minutes in but only briefly as the guitar starts to rip it up. Organ and mellotron follow.

"Lunar Doubts" has some relaxed guitar and spacey synths early. It kicks in at 2 minutes with some excellent guitar. It settles with reserved vocals as contrasts continue. "Join My Soul" builds with mellotron, bass, drums and vocals. Some female vocals on this one as well. "Race On A Pseudo Flying Carpet" rocks out pretty good with vocals. "Nothing Left To Hide" has some powerful organ late. "Ambulance" is all about the guitar coming in and kicking ass. "The Awakening" is the 21 minute closer. I can't get over the way this song changes moods, it really is a ride. A top three for sure. My copy has a bonus track "Strange Days" that is a DOORS cover and it's fantastic !

A release that is both entertaining and interesting. Like tszirmay says "4 lunes de miel".

This is my favourite VISIBLE WIND album and it happens to be their last (so far). I was surprised at how interesting and inventive this one is and I like the heaviness that comes and goes. Lots of mellotron too creating atmosphere.

"Vladivostok" is a short intro track that sounds like circus music played by an accordion. "The Healer" opens with atmosphere and it really sounds like theremin here, very spacey synth-like sounds. Some heaviness comes and goes including chunky bass lines.Those spacey synths are back then vocals. I like the organ before 4 minutes. Spoken sampled words before 6 minutes then it builds and blends into "Maniaquerie". Man this is good as it gets quite heavy. Kicking ass ! Vocals join in. Spoken sampled words follow the flute after 1 1/2 minutes then it gets heavy again. A scream after 3 minutes. A calm with electronics ends it. Great tune ! "Barb-A-Baal-A-Loo" opens with organ, guitar and drums as these strange spoken vocals come in.Those theremin-like sounds are back and I like the guitar here too. It's all so interesting and different. Killer stuff. "Hollow Emptiness" opens with drums and organ as vocals join in. It's heavy with bass helping out as well.The organ really impresses here. Flute before 3 minutes.

"Mal Brook" has such a great sound to it. It's intricate yet powerful. Bass, percussion, organ and guitar all shine.This reminds me of ANGLAGARD. Flute comes in later. "Lost Ideals" is fun with the organ runs, fat bass and heavy guitar as he sings over top. Another fav. "Dans Le Vide" opens with gentle guitar and word samples and other background sounds including mellotron. It picks up some when the laid back vocals arrive with drums. Organ joins in. It's more powerful 1 1/2 minutes in as the vocals turn passionate as does the sound. When it settles back it's so beautiful. Gulp. Contrasts continue. Flute before 3 minutes. Check out the guitar after 5 1/2 minutes to end it. Fantastic track. "Qui Seme Le Vent..." opens with acoustic guitar as reserved vocals join in. Flute and tambourine after 2 minutes as the contrasts continue. "Neandertal" opens with flute, bass, organ and more. It kicks in with vocals before a minute. Some nasty organ here after 3 minutes then the tempo picks up with vocals helping out. "Visages De Sable" is a short 2 minute piece with strings and flute standing out. "Recommencement" is an uplifting tune with vocals. I really like this one. "Freed Again" opens with intricate guitar as synths then vocals join in. Drums too then bass. A mellow tune for the most part that builds. "I Was There" opens with faint keyboards and synths as vocals join in. It's like they wanted this one kept quiet.

This really impressed me especially when I wasn't expecting it to be so good. He sings in both French and English. A solid 4 stars for the Quebecois band. Well done ! By the way they thank Roine Stolt in the liner notes. Andy at Planetmellotron also lists this as his fav from the band and at 4 stars.

Here is a band and an album I have been dismissing for way too long, never having given it a chance. And I don't even know why, silly but normal oversight when you have a large collection. I knew in the back of my mind that Visible Wind did a great part in keeping the prog flame alive in the proggy Quebec hotbed, stoking the coals that keep the scene vibrant until today. Keyboardist and vocalist Stephen Geysens is a practiced player who knows how to distribute assorted leads and color richly the backdrops who also possesses a haunting John Wetton-like howl that is often satisfying, dabbling in the magical flute when warranted. His mellotron insertions are perfect. Luc Hébert is a splendid prog drummer, propelling and then caressing the arrangements forward, flailing adroitly at all times. Guitarist Luc Rainville keeps things sonic, blasting into solos only when prompted. Their biggest attribute is the dosing of the segueing pieces, individual atmosphere splices that bleed into a suite-like whole, constantly playing with the tempos and seeking to keep the listener unexpectant , tumbling from oozy pools of drifting synths into the raunchy abysses of classic prog, as portrayed on the eccentric opening tracks, the short breezy intro to "Fuzzy Concept"(a winner!) and the more laid-back fluvial allure of "By the River" .On the delectable and dizzying "Xenophobia", a teeter-tottering ride that slings from one extreme to another , the surging flute takes over the stage, ushering in more pastoral enhancements, a clear Larks Tongues in Aspic II riff (wink, wink, nod, nod) and ending on a blazing electric solo , mellotron washes right behind! This is a brilliant track, way up there quality-wise. The crafty "Intravenus" is a longer track that slides into another raft, heading down a different stream, infusing French lyrics into the vocal programme, usurping synths suddenly surfacing beyond the fence, dialing in a new destination, tasty harder-edged Octobre-like rant (both the swelling organ and the brash guitar are stout reminders of this famed Québec band). I do find myself preferring the previous tracks, so I guess I need to rely on the wild guitar outro that saves the day, in the nick of time. "Lunar Doubts" reverts back to English lyrics and bluesy Floydian guitar spaces (with a title like that, what do you expect?), a masterfully paced projection into the outer orbits of psychedelic prog, electric piano and rippling organ appropriately entering the skirmish. I cannot help detecting a trivial The Flower Kings feel here, not just because of the Roine Stolt vocal comparison but also in each musician's instrumental selections and deliveries. An excellent tune! The next four short ones are less interesting, almost pedestrian by previous standards, not good not bad, just there! The whopping 20 minute "The Awakening" puts this one to rest, a fully atmospheric journey into invisible winds and dense forests. The raspy Hammond bellows loudly, the lead guitar nervously strains on the leash, a lilting oriental theme on the mellotron keeps things interesting as the vocals complement the arrangement. Nothing is hasty or reticent, contrasts proliferate and the mood remains intense, again very remindful of "Stardust We Are"-era Flower Kings, including how the vocals are shrouded in effects. The acoustic mid-section is quite splendid, cascading synths collide eloquently with Hebert keeping things tightly bolted down, slowly emergent in valor and vigor. The return of the sweeping theme adds more structure to an already imposing piece of music. An entertaining slice of prog and their best release undoubtedly! 4 "lunes de miel"

Under this bizarre title we have a very talented Canadian band VISIBLE WIND which offers to the good prog music lovers something of a very high quality!An album of a musical richness thet is making the listeners to have an attitude of respect and admiration for such an ambitious musical project!The production is excellent and all the instrumentists are top class.Musically speaking it goes from Marillion influences,sometimes a little SAGA ,but also metallic influences a la DREAM THEATER but overall the personal touch of the Canadioand which have a precise and well defined msuical direction!!The lyrics are both in French and English and that doesn't bother ,because everything is well done and attractive!The diversity of the songs makes the album more interesting and we dig it easily ,because behind the themes presented we have a fluent musical message,and that's the clue of this album!Complex,but accessible in the same time!The most present instrument on this album is the keyboard, and that gives a touch of fantasy music,full of samplers sometimes,but never loosing the sene of melody!It's also original sometimes,bringing some ELP nostalgy in the mind of a pretentious listener,but overall a very,very interesting album that is made with intelligence and masterful instrumental and componistic skills!Definitelly,a musical challenge that provoque any prog listener,but in the end it'll be plenty satisfied by a great musical discovery! Excellent! 4,5 STARS for something fresh and challenging!

I keep saying it's an interesting journey exploring all those neo bands you haven't heard yet before. Like this Visible Wind with their second album A Moment beyond Time proving to be another very good neo progressive effort.

And very good is in my book normally with lots of keyboard or guitar breaks and not too dominant vocals. Well, the vocals are certainly present with this Canadian band. Sometimes in French, mostly in English. Good vocals too but not too present or dominant. And the guitar parts by lead vocalist Philippe Woolgar are very nice to say the least and appear in many of the songs on this album. Like in the first substantial track A Moment in Time in the second half of it making me want more of the same.

They keep coming and tempt me to even give the excellence score (4*) to this album. But that would be a bit too much I feel. If I could give the 3,5 it would be the perfect score for this output but alas I can't and I'm forced to make the hard choice once again but will have to round down to three stars due to lack of essential contribution to the subgenre. It's very good though and recommended to fans of melodic neo progressive rock. It's funny by the way that on my version of this album there's a song called Chasing the Skyline and it happens to be the very highlight of the entire release, excellent composition. So try to get this version I would say.

***1/2

This is a somewhat frustrating album because the superb opening track promises so much more than the rest of the CD actually delivers. Sweet Perdition (14.27) begins Emergence in spectacular fashion - suggesting that this album might be the masterpiece that Visible Wind have seemed capable of producing - it's a magnificent slab of intelligent progressive music. Unfortunately the band don't follow up with anything of a similar standard -a good neo-prog song, two short instrumental pieces, a couple of servicable well played ballads and three totally forgettable (bar one short organ solo) basic heavy rock tracks rather too full of cliches to be fun.

Instrumentally and vocally the band are fine, but they still seem unsure as to whether they want to be a symphonic proigressive band or a heavy rock AOR outfit. It could have been so much more, but the CD is worth getting for the first track alone. Worth investigating.