ORBITAL

Venezuela doesn't have a big prolific prog scene like other counties from South America, but when appear some then be sure that they mean bussines in this field. On some previous reviews I've said that the band RC2 is the best band Venezuela ever had, but with the listning on this obscure outfit Pig Farm on the Moon I'm saying that this is the most intresting and inventive one from this country. They released only one album in 2002 named Orbital, quite hard to find. The music is complex, symphonic prog with lots of keyboards, but not necesarly in ELP direction, more towards bands with similar apraoch like italians H2O, Tempano, RC2 with metal flashes here and there remind me of Dream Theater, . This is definetly a very solid release, who besides the concept who is a fantastic and surreal story about the pigs on the moon who had a big farm and everyone is living peacefully there are some top notch and great skills, lots of twists and breaks, catchy arrangements and all ingredients for a great prog release. Lenghty instrumental passages and aswell pieces, with one of them clocking around 18 min min. My fav are for sure the opening Awaken From Reality and very well performed and composed instrumental Genesis. All in all this is a very courageous and well performed prog album with lots of memorable parts. I'm really shocked that they didn't recived much more rave reviews and for that reason they gone into oblivion, Orbital is one of the best albums from Latin America without doubt in prog rock field. As a plus the art work is excellent made by famous designer Michael Bennett, responsable for lots more ccover in prog zone like on Cast, Sailor Free, Wobbler and others. To me a real great surprise and easy 4 stars.