TIME WAVES

Myros was the solo music vehicle of Zauber's keyboardist Oscar Giordanino back in the 90's, which was also his most prolific period.Except performing with Zauber, Giordanino participated also in Michele Tale's album ''Senza Frontiere'', while he was a consistent appearance in the Zauber-offshoot group Clarion.Under the Myros moniker he appeared for the first time in the Kaliphonia compilation ''Fafnir'' in 1993, followed by another one two years later in the ''Molecule'' compilation, again for the Kaliphonia label.His only full-length album ''Time waves'' saw the light in 1996, released on Mellow Records.

For ''Time waves'' Giordanino performs all instruments by himself, the various keyboards are naturally played, while all the bass and drum sounds seem to be programmed.His style recalls his 90's days with Zauber, although this time the sound is more bombastic but also inconsistent due to the constant echoes of sampled instruments.This work offers 18 short, all- instrumental tracks of nervous and sharp keyboard-driven Progressive Rock with huge symphonic elements akin to RICK WAKEMAN's works but also with references to the sound of compatriots TOWER (of Beppe Crovella) or EMPIRE.Unfortunately most of the keyboard parts (especially the hardly recognizable harsichord) sound very plastic and cheap, while the sterile drum programming does not help either.Pity, because some of Giordanino's ideas are very nice with alternating Classical, Folk and Fusion influences, based on virtuosic solos, instant melodies and powerful rhythms.Additionally Giordanino seems very capable of creating dramatic and grandiose atmospheres, however these annoying keyboard sounds are unlikely to please the majority of prog listeners.

Myros were also part of the 1997 ''Zarathustra's Revenge'' Italian Prog tribute album, covering I Nomadi's ''Suoni'' and the last reference of Giordanino's solo project reasonably appears in the E.L.P. tribute album ''Fanfare for the Pirates''.He then focused on his work with his normal band Zauber.

''Time waves'' is not a bad album.Lovers of instrumental keyboard-driven Prog have chances to appreciate Myros' music and the dramatic instrumentals contained, but this specific fan base is possibly the only one, which will really appreciate this work...2.5 stars.