EL BUFO DE LA CORT

DR. NO was the idea of former HARNAKIS drummer Enrico Pascual who contacted bassist/keyboardist Conrad Dubé,so the formation of the band becomes a reality in 2000 with Rubén Vilarroya also on keys.The band became a live monster around the region of Cataluna,but suffered numerous line-up changes,mainly due to the fact that of Pascual handling the drums at studio,but being the vocalist on live shows.Finally they were signed by the Dutch label Xymphonia Records to release their debut ''El Bufo de la cort'' in 2003.

The style of the band stands somewhere between mid- to late-70's GENESIS and old MARILLION,but unlike these bands,DR. NO had not a gifted charismatic singer as Gabriel,Collins or Fish.Pascual's voice is average with no signs of a dramatic or theatrical twist.Musically however,the album is a winner,a balanced Neo Prog and Symphonic Rock affair with beautiful guitar solos and dramatic symphonic keys all the way.More specifically,after the two first songs,which are just good,the album turns into a symphonic storm with long instrumental passages,careful breaks and haunting atmospheres with evident MARK KELLY influences on keys.It is rather a pitty the band hadn't a real winner behind the microphone,the result would be possibly even more attractive.

Even this way,''El Bufo de la cort'' is a nice surprise by a rather unknown Catalan band and it will be definitely appreciated by both Neo and Symph Prog maniacs. Recommended.