ABSINTHÉÏSME

The mid-90's find Magnesis in a transition period.No more or less the third studio work of the band would be a collaboration between guitarist Pascal Maitre and singer Eric Tillerot, who also handled the bass and acoustic guitars along with the keyboard programming.They were helped by Pascal Gargallo on drums with a few appearances by Jean Pierre Matelot on keyboards and Roxanne and Martine-Magali Geneve on choirs.The album with the title ''Absintheisme'' was privately released in 1995.

Despite being mostly a work by a duo, ''Absintheisme'' is slightly better than the previous full- band work of Magnesis.Their sound is dominated by the strong ANGE and MONA LISA influences with a fresh sound,that is dramatic and over-theatrical lyrical content performed under grandiose Neo/Symphonic Rock arrangements with some haunting atmospheres.The sound is much synth-driven, based on flashy keyboard solos with a MARILLION-esque/DEYSS touch or even delivered with a symphonic edge supported by the guitar work,which is quite strong both on the rhythmic and solo parts with a sense of melody.Additionally Tillerot voice seems stronger than ever with a good balance between the melodramatic approach and the sensitive chords.Magnesis seems to be on the right path,the compositions have great alternations between mellow romantic parts and emphatic grandiose passages with also a fair amount of acoustic textures.

With ''Absintheisme'' Magnesis return back to the fine musicianship of their debut, being a balanced work of Theatrical Symphonic Rock and modern Neo Prog with quite a few impressive parts without though being an exceptional or even more a grounbreaking entry. Warmly recommended.