PRÉLUDE À LA RUINE

3.5 stars. All the writing in the liner notes is in French but they do thank ProgArchives and other prog sites which is pretty cool. This is powerful music that does border on Prog-Metal as Prog-jester mentions in his review. It is apparently a concept album about the thoughts old man who is about to die looking back at world history. Again the vocals are the weakest parts of the album but I love the heaviness.

"Les Temps Modernes" opens with crisp drums before the french vocals come in. I don't mind them but I think he has improved his singing on the next record "Si Partie I". The heaviness comes in at the 2 minute mark followed by a cool guitar solo as bass throbs. We get some piano and then organ before more amazing guitar arrives. This is great ! I like when the tempo slows down before 5 minutes yet it gets heavier. Piano and vocal melodies 6 1/2 minutes in are incredible. "1914" is an instrumental that opens with what sounds like a Vai solo followed by some heaviness including pounding drums. Excellent sound until it settles down 5 minutes in with a beautiful guitar solo. The tempo picks back up and we are treated with a killer ending.

"O.G.R.E." features more heaviness with vocals this time. A great section 3 minutes in of guitar, drums and organ. Not a lot of vocals in this one except to open and close. "Prelude A La Ruine" opens with piano and light drums. After a minute we get an almost Celtic flavour. "Les Yeux Fermis" is back to the heaviness and this sounds really good ! Some wicked guitar in this one. Vocals and bass a minute in joined by piano. Guitar and organ shine 2 1/2 minutes in. The tempo picks up with some ripping guitar. Fantastic final 2 minutes. "Eve Et Le Genie Du Mal" opens with tasteful guitar and reserved vocals as light drums and keys follow. Nice raw guitar solo 3 minutes in as the sound starts to get fuller with organ arriving. "Tous Les Chemins" has some atmosphere to it. The vocals are almost whispered. The guitar starts to crank it up and organ joins in. It gets kind of punchy sounding 3 1/2 minutes in. Passionate vocals before 6 minutes with another guitar solo a minute later. It settles down 8 minutes in. "Cluster 84" has 4 minutes of catchy, uptempo instrumental work before the vocals arrive and the sound builds.

"Le Monde A L'Envers" is the 13 minute closer that is divided into 3 parts. First "Une Derniere Valse" features piano, synths and reserved vocals in a slow paced,solemn soundscape. Gentle guitar and light drums join in at 2 minutes. "Du Mauvais Cote" is brighter and more uptempo. Some heaviness after 2 minutes with a guitar solo to follow. A fuller sound with organ 3 1/2 minutes. "Epataphe" is my favourite part of the whole album. Organ, drums, bass and guitar all are amazing in this tune. Some blistering guitar in this one. The drums really impress as well. Dark organ and spoken words 4 1/2 minutes in. Heavy guitar takes over for organ.

I prefer their next one "Si Partie I" a lot more than this one. Still this is very well done.