FANTASMA

I might as well agree with Semismart´s review: Everon indeed sounds like no other. Their music is familiar, yet you can´t really pigeonhole it. There are some obvious influences here and there (like Rush and Marillion, to name just two). Although labeled as neo prog in PA, I´ve always heard other sites and magazines to call them prog metal. To me they both missed the point. Maybe art rock or heavy prog would be closer to what they really are. Anyway, you have to hear them to understand. Everon is Everon.

Fantasma (´ghost´ in portuguese) was the first album I ever owned by Everon, and like the others, it took me some time to really appreciate their music. Years, in fact, since when I bought it I was expecting a prog metal band sound. Although Fantasma is heavier their earlier works, like Venus, it is not metal in any way. Everon music was always too proggy and the heavy guitars bursts that are kind of their trademark, along with some great piano lines, is something very particular and unique. Quite interesting, after a few listenings.

This is a very emotional record, since the main inspiration was the death of a dear friend in a car accident (and to whom this CD is dedicated). The songwriting and perfomances are very strong and convincing. Oliver Philip´s vocals may not be everyon´s cup of tea, but sure it fits Everon´s sound perfectly. As ever, the musicanship is awesome and very much used for the music´s sake, there are not much noodling here. It all helped by the right production (done by Philips himself and drummer Christian Moos, who also handles the engineering) and the very good arrangements.

A different prog album, by an original and different band. Maybe their very best, up to that point. It takes some time to sink in, but then this is the trademark of most great prog bands. Excellent addition to any prog music colletion. Four stars.