NATURAL PRESTIGE

For Filippos Gougoumis and The Oneira it all started, when the Greek-born guitarist and composer moved to Italy for studying medicine.Located in Verona and after graduating from university he started composing original material, inspired by his child heroes Rush and Journey.Upon his meeting with drummer Erik Spedicato (who had studied next to legendary Italian drummer Tullio De Piscopo) and keyboardist Giampaolo Begnoni he decided to form this trio, named after the Greek word for ''dreams''.The Oneira debuted in 2010 with the album ''Natural prestige'' on Musea Parallele.

Gougoumis' influences are fairly indicating the style of the album.Somewhere between Neo Prog, Power Rock and melodic Rock, The Oneira try to find peace and come up with an accesible album, which still holds enough interest from a progressive or technical point of view.But it'a all about solid and efficient songwriting here and Gougoumis has made a pretty nice job on coming up with striking melodies, powerful guitar solos, bombastic tunes and even some virtuosic instrumental deliveries.''Natural prestige'' is characterized by an emphatic pomposity, a tight approach on song structures and the numerous breaks from powerful musicianship to more sensitive, melodious textures.RUSH (blistering guitar rhythms and epic atmospheres) and JOURNEY (smooth piano lines, pompous keyboards, clean voices) are certainly a guiding light for this album, which also draws some influences from the flashy instrumentals of British Neo Prog or the mellow and lighter side of CAMEL.Well-crafted material all the way with rockin' parts, alternating work on keyboards and piano and, surprisingly, extended instrumental parts, while Gougoumis' voice, when present, is absolutely decent.At the very end they remind me a lot of compatriots CANADA with a less AOR-tinged approach, where the music surfaces from its rich and energetic background to offer memorable and dynamic compositions.

Dreams are made to become true at some point and Gougoumis' made so with The Oneira's debut.Energetic, passionate and melodic quasi-Prog Rock with emphasis on convincing songwriting and accesible instrumental textures.Recommended.