THE GATHERING

In The Netherlands the melodic and accessible progrock from Magenta is selling very well so I was very surprised that this DVD has not yet been reviewed. A concert in The Pop factory in South Wales on the 14th of May in 2005 has been recorded with 6 cameras and in 5.1 Surround Sound in order to put in on DVD. This is good news for the in general rather demanding progheads! Magenta their sound is rooted in the Seventies (Genesis and Yes are their main sources) but Magenta offers a more melodic and accessible progrock sound, perfect to reach a wide audience.

This DVD showcases a very professional band that sounds pleasant and varied: hot rocking in King Of The Skies, polished in Demons and Broken and compelling in the 24-carat symphonic rock epics Children Of The Sun and The White Witch. The focus is on guitar player Chris Fry ("He is a God ... " as female singer Christina says during this DVD), in almost every song he treats the audience on great and varied soli, often with fiery and heavy overtones. In Call Me he uses a bottle-neck and in I'm Alive and The White Witch a wah- wah pedal, this man colours the sound of Magenta is my opinion. 'Second best' is Christina, what a wonderful voice, what a beautiful woman and what a warm presentation! We will welcome more of these women in our man-dominated progrock world...! The keyboards sound tasteful but often functional, only in some tracks Rob Reed delivers soli on his keyboards. The visuals are OK but not really stunning: a nice lightshow and some screen projections (a bit psychedelic in Children Of The Sun). And I miss a bit the interaction with the crowd, only in Genetesis (Christina begs for handclapping) and at the end of the concert (a warm and enthousiastic applause) we can witness some 'live' atmosphere.

Nonetheless, this DVD showcases a strong and inspired Magenta that plays most of their best material. RECOMMENDED!!