L'HEPTADE

Passing from symphonic-influenced prog folk into folk-influenced symphonic prog, Harmonium's epic concept album L'Heptade is a pretty little album from the tail-end of the golden age of prog. Always sentimental, the music at some point threatens to cross the line into sheer schmaltz, but is usually saved from this by the band's exceptional command of mood. The album stands out for having some of the most delicately beautiful vocal performances in symphonic prog, lead singer Serge Fiori being backed up by a range of singers (of whom Estelle Ste-Croix stands out as offering a particularly astonishing performance). Not quite as revolutionary as their previous album, but still an interesting piece which might be of interest to those who like a little folk in their prog, but at the same time it feels stiffer and more pompous than its looser, more limber predecessor.