CURSE OF TIME

German band, which had to wait for about three decades before becoming a bit known, despite formed in 1981 in Bochum.Guitarist/keyboardist Derk Akkermann was always the centerpiece of the band, which disbanded for the first time in 1983 after a single and several tours in Germany.A second line-up was gathered in early-90's, leading to the release of ''Dead end street'', basically a Hard Rock/AOR album.In 1988 Akkermann met Lutz Guenther (bass) and Achim Schmidt (drums, keyboards), but even this formation lasted for only a couple of years.Fast forward and the old bandmates decided to give their dream another chance, recruiting two singers, Thomas Hackmann and Anja Guenther.But this time the circumstances were more mature, the result was the band to launch a long-awaited self-production in 2009, the album ''Curse of time''.

Saris have definitely a retro style of playing, not actually linked to the 70's as most of the retro-styled bands, but resembling more to German Heavy/Neo acts of the 90's such as CROMWELL and CRYSTAL PALACE, adapting a sound, which includes both Hard Rock and epic elements and delivering their compositions through very artistic arrangements with lots of segments and mood changes.The tracks are quite long with emphasis on the harsh, attacking vocals, the memorable choruses, the pompous keyboards and the very sharp guitars of the leader Derk Akkermann.So, imagine a group, which makes an attempt to flirt with a Neo Prog style, take heavy doses of a Hard Rock/AOR vibe and throw in some pompous/symphonic keyboards and even a few string sections for good measure.Definitely among the most powerful bands of the style, which insists on coming up with passionate rhythmic tunes and striking melodies, not ever forgetting about more virtuosic, flashy and intricate instrumental parts.This particular style won't change even in the very long ''Mircales'', a 17-min. composition, which still retains the basic values established already by the band.However this is by far the most diverse track on the album with the length allowing plenty of changes between powerful orchestral themes, heavy guitar-fronted sections, an atmospheric lyricism and grandiose symphonic textures.

Among the very pompous and energetic releases of the year.Somewhere between Hard Pomp Rock and Neo Prog, driven by a bombastic team, which loves to play dynamic and rich music.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.