THIRD CALL

The dynamic entry of Cast in professional discography continues with the ''Third call'', another album released in 1994.This time the band displays four compositions from 1989, in one of the rare opportunities the band had to move on to some proper recordings of its material (without the presence of Dino Brassea), and four more pieces, which were composed during 94'.It was also the third private release by the band, which still failed to attract any interest from the major Prog labels.

First half of the album is captured by the old material of the group.It is a nice combination of dynamic Neo Prog and 80's-suffering Symphonic Rock with lots of keyboard textures and melodic lines, a bit similar to Italian bands such as CALLIOPE, SITHONIA or ATON'S, with emphasis on symphonic themes, sensitive English vocals and discreet electric guitars.There are evident AOR flavors is some pompous keyboard ideas and a tendency towards incosistent, melodramatic singing by Francisco Hernadez, but the arrangements are pretty strong, especially during the 15-min. long ''Door of the world'', which passes through some complex structures and even contains some nice organ parts.Unfortunately the sound quality is rather mediocre, lowering the true value of the compositions.The second half of ''Third call'', now with the addition of Dino Brassea on vocals, is more convincing and solid.It reminds me often of the Greek band APOCALYPSIS, refining their GENESIS influence in updated forms of synth/piano-drenched Symphonic Rock with plenty of interesting melodies, bombastic keyboard waves and flashy synthesizer flights.Guitars have now a more consistent role, although the material remains mostly keyboard-driven with a touch of E.L.P./RICK WAKEMAN in the more complicated passages and a certain level of quality regarding the compositions.Long, instrumental parts with symphonic references and energetic moves guarantee a pretty nice result.

Pitty, because the band still walked silently during the time, failing to be discovered by the scouting of the European, American or Japanese market.Solid Neo/Symphonic Prog with excellent keyboard work and evident vintage blinks.Recommended.