INTO THE NIGHT

Neo-prog is one of my favorite genres. I find the mix of symphonic elements with a more melodic- accessible approach fascinating. There's also a hint of metal in some neo-prog recordings (late ARENA a prime example) which has also helped to make this sub-genre one of my favorites here in PA. I have only reviewed three albums of it, though, so I guess it's time to start to correct this contradiction.

SATELLITE, as said before, is made of members of the deceased-band COLLAGE, from Poland. I have heard that late band and all I can say is, SATELLITE has a very similar sound to that of the disappeared group, but with a harder, at moments even more metallic approach. At the same time, some problems I found in COLLAGE have been solved here, mostly the lack of really memorable songs, as "Into The Night" is full of songs that will stay in one's mind for a long time, especially after a few listens of the album, which is what it's needed to appreciate it in its entirety.

The musicianship of the band is pretty good. As always with neo-prog, the guitar holds a special place in the music, mostly with clean, atmospheric solos, and these are done to perfection here by Kubeisi. When it's time to get harder and heavier, like in the first and last section of "Dreams", he also is quite capable of that. The keyboards are also very good, adding the exact touch of magic to the mix. All the rest of the instruments are played very competently. The vocals are good, at times extremely good. They're very pop-like at moments, and that's one of the great successes of this group: they manage to sound accessible while still being progressive, with a vocalist that matches the atmosphere of the music perfectly.

The songs are melodic, averaging 7 minutes in length, and full of short solos and beautiful leads. I particularly like the opener, "Into The Night", which is like a refreshment to my ears for its melody and it's distinct neo-prog sound. "Dreams" is rockier, even metallic, though the middle section is not that successful. "Don walk away in Silence" is another great song, and even better is "Heaven can Wait" (how many songs have been written using this title? I can think, in a second, of three), long but never boring, very melodic. The last track (not counting the bonus ones) is the most pop of the lot with its almost electronic-flavor, and I love it, a perfect display of the virtues of a genre where accessibility and progressiveness are combined to give us truly outstanding music.

Because of a couple of weak tracks ("Dreams" one of them, except for its beginning), I'm forced to bring the rating down one star. Otherwise, this would've been a fantastic, perfect neo-prog album. It's still very, very good, and a necessary addition to any collection of progressive rock