OPUS

3.5, really. This is my second experience with this italian band. And Opus is quite different from their next release, Trails From Ambergris. This one shows the band still emulating a lot of early Marillion (something they would eventually shed away). So in the end is an interesting mix of 80`s neo prog (yes, with all that Genesis connection) with italian synphonic prog of the 70´s. The results are very intresting and kind of unusual. The only other italian band which plays something similar is The Watch. and, with apologies to ZowieZiggy, that group sounds to me too much like a Genesis copycat without the beautiful melodies of the original. Yleclipse may not be much of an original group, but they do have fine tunes to go along with their obvious fine musicanship (and influences!).

I have the impression the production here is actually a little better than On Trails From Anbergris, even if they still lack a modern, clean sound more suited for their elegant style. Ok, nothing that spoils the end result. It would be also better if they sing in italian instead of english, but again their choice of language does not harm the songs. And I really love the guitar/keyboards interplay, the melodic lines, the tasteful arrangements and the passionate vocals. The electric parts are definitly more on the neo prog style while the acoustic ones are leaning more towards the italian prog school. Highlight on this album is surely the longest track the Tale Of The Black Cloak, with its several mood and tempo swings. Fortunatly the rest of the CD is not too far behind. There are no fillers.

So in the end it was a bit hard to rate this album. it is very, very good indeed. I have no shame to say I love the early Marillion style to the core, as long as it is well done. And this band does it good indeed. Nothing to write home about it (unless, again, if you´re a fan of Fish´s former band), but very good at what they do. The inclusion of the italian prog influences give their sound here a distinctive flavour that makes them different from a pletora of early Marillion clones. Still, I feel I can´t give Opus the personal 4 star rating I´d like to. I think 3,5 stars is more fitting. Recommended to anyone who likes neo prog or good melodic prog in general.