MOON DRIVE

Dutch band formed in Utrecht in mid-80'd by guitarist Bastiaan Peeters.The demo ''Track one'' along with the band's energetic live performances helped them build a cult fame around the country,however musical diffrences along with line-up changes lead Odyssice falling into hiatus at the end of the decade.By mid-90's Peeters reformed the band with Jeroen van der Wiel on keyboards,Pascal van de Pol on bass along with his long-time bassist Bart Kuhne.This line-up recorded Odyssice's first work,the mini-CD ''Moondrive'' in 1997 on Legend Records.

The opening cut,the long ''Frustrations'' is a great blend of melodic Progressive Rock in the vein of JADIS with superb breaks,symphonic passages and great organ and synths throughout.The following ''And so am I'' is absolutely mindblowing.A sort of CAMEL meets MIKE OLDFIELD meets PINK FLOYD emotional symphonic beauty with excellent guitar work,among the best to be heard,creating fantastic soundscapes.''Different questions'' is another highlight with its CAMEL-esque opening notes and the fine synth solos of Van Der Wiel interplaying with Peeters guitars later.''The final decision'' continues in the same mood.Atmospheric melodic prog with crying guitars,mellow pianos and a very grandiose mood with superb solos throughout in the vein of FLAMBOROUGH HEAD.

The album was fortunately re-released some years later as ''Moondrive plus'' by Cyclops and deserves the highest of the recommendations.Extremely melodic, well-crafted and nicely- arranged Progressive Rock,especially recommended to fans of JADIS, FLAMBOROUGH HEAD, CHANCE, DOGMA and the likes.