DAGMÄHR

"Outside The Egg" sounds really good early as we get a solid instrumental section with lots of bass. It settles some then we get vocals. It turns fuller late. "Last Reaction" has some cello in it before a minute then the vocals and synths return. A calm before 2 1/2 minutes.The tempo and mood continue to shift. Guitar and drums lead after 6 minutes then the synths return. A calm before 8 minutes then that heavier VDGG flavour is back to end it. "Inside The Egg Part 1" is uptempo and instrumental early. It settles with cello 3 minutes in and piano. Drums before 4 1/2 minutes as it picks back up before settling again a minute later.

"An Odd Season In The Blasphemous Garden Of Social Disease" sounds good when it settles right down before 3 1/2 minutes with atmosphere. It picks back up quickly though with synths. Guitar follows. "Pertual Attrition" is led by piano and drums early. Guitar joins in then it settles with vocals.The tempo continues to change. Organ 5 minutes in and I like the guitar after 7 minutes and the heaviness late. "Lightly Engaged" opens with acoustic guitar and reserved vocals. It kicks in around 2 minutes as the contrasts continue. "Inside The Egg Part 2" sounds like the first track eventually with that heavier instrumental sound. Nice.

Good album but not 4 stars.

From the opening minutes of ''In every failure'' you've got to admit that this is a talented young band.Violin strings blend with FRIPP-ian guitar hooks in a rhythmic manner,while vocalist Mathieu Lassard,though he doesnt sound anything like FISH,tries to present a theatrical and expressive way of singing with a succesful result.Throughout its way the track adapts a melodic symphonicism with careful used synths and guitar solos.''Paradox #1 for two pianos'' is a fine and short yet grandiose piano crescendo with a dark mood,leading to the excellent '' Destiny''.A weird mix of ABRAXAS-like Neo Prog with VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR twists is what you wil meet here.Powerful guitars and vocals mix with an obscure cello-based middle section to bring Polish band LIZARD to mind.Very original and highly creative music!''Just in words'' steps more into the Neo Prog territory with Lassard sounding a bit like ASGARD's Francesco Grosso.Vintage sounding keys,sharp synths solos and guitarsfull of energy and power offer another memorable track,filled also with spoken parts and great vocals overall.''A I'aube de'' is another short track with a sound close to JEAN PIERRE ALARCEN's early works on Classical approach.Symphonic Music dominated by the string section,which also reminds bands of the RIO/Avant movement.

It is true that an over 15-min. epic composition can be either a hidden trap or a majestic moment on a prog band's discography.And DAGMAHR did it quite well on the long ''Leaving For Paris'',where organ sounds and STEVE HOWE-like guitar chords will leave their place to a deep,atmospheric synth/guitar-driven with a evidentt MARILLION-esque flavor.It's time for Lassard to offer another memorable performance with his sensitive voice this time,accompanied by a heavy bass work,before the ghost of ROBERT FRIPP re-enters the scene and DAGMAHR mix it with well-crafted melodic keyboards and pianos.The track will close in a Neo/Symphonic way,based on a series of nice electric solos and the thrilling closing singing lines of Lassard.Well done!

This is absolutely fascinating and original music and ,in my opinion, DAGMAHR are capable of creating a future masterpiece for all the prog listeners out there.Purchase without second thoughts,this is a solid 4 star effort!

"In Every Failure" is my favourite, it features violin and laid back vocals to start then angular guitar, bass and organ take over and change the mood significantly.Great sound here. It settles after 3 1/2 minutes as reserved voacals, drums and organ take over. Soaring guitar 5 1/2 minutes in. Violin is back after 6 minutes as intricate sounds come and go. Pulsating organ as guitar returns heavier than before.Vocals before 8 minutes as guitar continues. Angular guitar 8 1/2 minutes in. It calms right down with violin after 9 minutes.

"Paradox #1 For Two Pianos" is less than 2 minutes of piano melodies. Impressive. "Destiny" opens with synths before turning heavy before a minute. Contrasts continue and we get a string quartet after 3 1/2 minutes. Angular guitar after 6 minutes. "Just In Words" opens with a vocal solo before a full sound comes in. Angular guitar after 3 minutes then it gets heavier with lots of synths. "A L'Aube De..." features the string quartet throughout. Not a fan. "Leaving For Paris" has a MARILLION flavour to it. This is the longest track at over 16 minutes. A real ride and different from the others.

Lots to like here but not enough for 4 stars.