HERE IT IS

While I'm not the biggest fan of ELP inspired bands there are exceptions like TRIUMVERAT and this band called TRILOGY both from Germany. TRILOGY is named after an ELP album and they have two keyboardists both playing organ and synths with one of them adding clavinet. Guitar, bass and drums rounds out this five piece. This all instrumental record was released in 1980 but sounds like it's from the 70's and they would release one more album in 1984 which has a vocalist.

The two keyboardists dominate the sound but man that guy can drum and that bass is so upfront and it just drives the music. This has been a pleasure this week, just a buffet of sounds beautifully arranged. Yes we get some ELP-like bombast but that's rare and no silliness here. GENESIS came to mind a few times and while you know who inspired them they make this record their own. Repeating themes and melodies at will and the one thing that did surprise me was how little there is of that guitar. The guy can play but other than "Crowded" the longest track at over 12 1/2 minutes he's more about creating a layer of sound, blending in you could say. I still feel "Venice" the opener is the best track on here. Just hearing that organ melody that is repeated on this one is just always a pleasure.

I would be repeating myself a lot going track by track but I'm just so impressed with this one, a real surprise and a solid 4 stars. When this was reissued in the 90's the band requested a new album cover which is really cool, you can see it on Discogs as they were never happy with the original(me neither) of someone in a straight jacket-like situation. The music though will absolutely thrill keyboard fans.