WELCOME TO Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal

.......................................A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FEATURED ARTIST AND CD REVIEWS - 2001

LAST UPDATE 12/09/2001..

PRIS'N STYLE - "Live Your Dream"
Pris'n Style was born in German, "Mannheim" at about 1998 by Mad Köhler, he knows a guy in his class, he is Marco Nau, he's playing guitar. After half an hour talking about music the two guys decided to found a band, after become more four guys at this moment the band Pris'n Style is alive. It´s nice listen the band´s songs with a lot of good influences from bands like: Yes, Marillion, DreamTheater, Saga, also adding the traditions of the best German Progressive Rock, some parts of the songs are very similar to the best old German bands, mainly the song "Pictures" which reflects some of intensive influences from "Jane". The band members are inspired from different styles in music and they were consolidated around the ideas of the Neo Progressive, Progressive Metal and Progressive Rock. Pris'n Style has every thing to became a new supergroup. Live Your Dream is a excellent work, the self production debut CD featuring seven original tracks, I have my special and particular attention to the songs: "Pictures", "Seconds of Sorrow" and "Reality" they are very cool. Pris'n Style is: Tim "Bully" Scholl - Rhythm Guitars, Mad Köhler - Keyboards, Back.Vocals, Sven Reinfrank - Lead vocals and Accoustic Guitars, Marco Nau - Lead Guitars, Torsten Reinfrank - Bass Keys and Backing Vocals and Sebastian Blaj - Drums. Excellent and indispensable work, high recommendable...

01/01/2001..........................................................More information about the Band, go to PRIS'N STYLE HOME PAGE...

RICOCHER - "Quest for the Heartland"
The Five-piece Progressive Rock band Ricocher were formed in 1993 in the South of the Netherlands. At first the band played covers and a few own written songs. In the following years the band had written enough material and at this time they stopped playing covers. Ricocher was a surprise for me, the band is best describe as a Melodic and Symphonic Neo Progressive Rock, nice instrumental arrangements and wonderful melodics pieces, the style is very near of bands like IQ, Marillion and Pink Floyd contrasted with blends of Scorpions and Queen. The "Quest for the Heartland" is a self released prodution, the CD has four tracks with 22 minutes, short clips but great music, all the songs are very cool but I have my special and particular attention to the song "Life in Your Mind" with nice vocals and a beautiful guitar solo, also including "The Code", "Your Pride" and "Quest for the Heartland". The album cover by Mattias Norén who is working for bands such as Arena and Wolverine. Ricocher is: Erwin Boerenkamps - Lead Vocals and Guitar, Bart van Helmond - Guitars, Backing Vocals, John van Heugten - Keyboards, Backing Vocals, Maikel van der Meer - Drums, Percussion and Niels Nijssen - Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals. Excellent and indispensable work, high recommendable...

01/01/2001.......................................................................Do you want to know more? Go to RICOCHER HOME PAGE...

FILORITMIA - "Same"
Filoritmia were founded in Milan in September, 1993. It was only in 1997 that the band found the ideal tune, when Roberto Riccardi, guitar player, and Matteo Scarparo, bass guitar player, joined the historical group formed by Angelo D'Ariano (keyboards), Antonio Mazzucchelli (drums) and Giorgio Mele (vox). The Milanese band alternated live performances and retreats dedicated to composition: those were moments when each member gave his contribution into a fusion of energies. Filoritmia is an amazingly produced Progressive Rock band from the Italy, formely by five guys who added many influences and styles like Progressive Rock, Hard Rock and Jazz, to compare Filoritmia with some Progressive bands you need listen old Italian bands like "Il Rovescio Della Medaglia", "The Trip", "Odissea", Osanna", Goblin, PFM and of course Banco Dell Mutuo Soccorso adding new and modern arrangements, it´s very simply, a new and essential Progressive Rock band with classic Italian Progressive Rock influences. Filoritmia "Same" is the first full-length debut CD and self-produced album, the CD has ten tracks with 70 minutes of nice Progressive Music, my special and particular attention to the songs "Il Mago", "Fiato Sul Collo", "Dirt Di No","Questo Inferno" and "Epoca Lontana".The band member are: Angelo D'Ariano - Keyboards, Roberto Riccardi - Guitars, Matteo Scarparo - Bass, Antonio Mazzuccheli - Drums, and Giorgio Mele - Vocals. The band has planned to be back on stage within the early 2001 with an intense live calendar. Excellent and indispensable work, high recommendable...

01/21/2001.............................................................More information about the Band, go to FILORITMIA HOME PAGE...

Q.E.D - "Same"
Q.E.D. (Quod Erat Demonstrandum, i.e. What had to be proven) is a Hungarian band and was born at Budapest in 1998. The style of the band was formulated at this time, however, songs were scored somewhat differently from today's. At that time they wanted to increase the number of the members of the band to 6 and accordingly the guitar themes were composed for two guitar players. At the moment they are five sometimes increasing to six by a guest star during concerts. The members have many influences of Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal and Hard Rock but the Band style is very actual with modern elements and nice arrangements, not very complex but very powerful. Is not easy to compare Q.E.D. with other groups, but we can say that they follow in the same line of some North American Progressive Metal bands. Q.E.D. "Same" is the second demo CD with thirteen tracks of good and powerful songs, it was recorded in february 2000, my special and particular attention to the songs: "I Believe in You", "Madness", "Perfect Lover", "Night Flowers", "Taj Mahal" and "Shadow Man". Q.E.D. is: Zol the Great - Vocals, Andy Angel - Keyboards, Peter G. David - Guitars, Zolman - Bass and Baron - Drums. Excellent and indispensable work, high recommendable...

01/21/2001......................................................................More information about the Group go to Q.E.D. HOME PAGE...

UIRAPURU - "Here Comes The Life"
Uirapuru comes to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and was formed in August of the year 1999 and since then the band has been rehearsing bringing to life its musical proposal, which is to unite Melodic Heavy Metal with Progressive Metal, classical music and brazillian music. The band members own varied musical influences and have been studying music and practicing their respective instruments for years. It´s Nice to know about Uirapuru, these five young guys really know how to make good Symphonic Progressive Metal, let´s say that to take the "Yes and Marillion" energy, the power of "Helloween", "Angra", "Queensryche", "Savatage" and "Dream Theater" with a Brazilian touch and you will find Uirapuru. The band explore several musical sonorities creating an excellent symphonic Progressive Metal atmosphere. "Here Comes The Life" is a excellent work, the production debut CD featuring five original tracks with pure Progressive Metal, I have my special and particular attention to the songs: "Here Coms The Life", "Angel Without Wings" and "A New Beginning", all songs, lyrics and arrangements by Uirapuru. The band is: Leandro Gomes - Guitars, Alberto Kury - Keyboards, Bernardo Pellon - Bass, Bruno Agra - Drums, and Roberto Scripilliti - Guitars. Special guest: Ílton Nogueira - Vocals. Excellent and indispensable work, high recommendable...

01/21/2001........................................................................Do you want to know more? Go to UIRAPURU HOME PAGE...

TEA FOR TWO - "101"
The band Tea For two was founded in 1984 by Michael Schumpelt and Oliver Sörup as a school band of the 'Max Planck Gymnasium Ludwigshafen' in Germany. Through the years the band had several metamorphoses until the classic line-up of vocals, keyboards, guitars, bass and drums. They ware more than buzy plaing live. Today the soul of the band are three guys, they are in touch to exchange musical ideias and keep the band's music alive. The influences could be from "IQ", "Marillion" or "Genesis" but very full of technique, melodic, expressive with a soft atmosphere among the beautiful voices of Stephan Weber with the wonderful guitars soils and keyboards. The styles come to a mix of the Folk Music with contracts of Hard Rock and of course from the Progressive Rock, the result is nice Rock Ballads. Bands as Tea For Two are exciting and innovative who we find a great pleasure to listen to. "101" is the third CD released after two years of the start production, music lyrics and produced by Tea For two, artwork by Stephan Weber, distributed by "QuiXote Music". I have my special and particular attention to the songs: "Drifting Apart", "Heaven", Between The Line", "101" is the best, "All Too Late", "Torn In Two" and "Last Piece". Tea For Two are: Oliver Sörup - Guitars and Bass Pedals, Stephan Weber - Vocals, Michael Schumpelt - Keyboards and Flutes, Reiner Krämer - Drums and Uwe Haaß - Bass. Excellent and indispensable work, high recommendable...

02/21/2001...........................................................More information about the Band go to TEA FOR TWO HOME PAGE...

ADVENTURE - "Same"
Adventure was born in Norway by Odd-Roar Bakken who have been playing in other bands since 1977, but before, at about in 1990 three guys decided to form a Progressive Rock Band. It was Odd-Roar Bakken on guitar, Nils Larsen on bass and Torkel Aune on drums. After a while they met with Terje Flessen who became a member and played the guitar. Odd-Roar Bakken started to play the keyboard beside the guitar when Terje started in the band. That´s because Adventure wanted to be a more symphonic band than before. In 1995 they found Vebjorn Moen, who have a good voice that Adventure had been looking for. The music of this band is delightful, a symphonic marvel of great quality, is really a adventure or a journey to the past until the present days of Progressive Rock Age. A small blend of Rick Wakeman's tales with Aeryon's power, some times adding a very melodic folk parts, an instrumental of high level amongst the keyboards and nice guitars. Adventure "Same" is the first full-length debut CD and self-produced album released by the group, it was recorded at Skansen Studios, Trondhein - Norway between june 1996 and november 1999. There is no special and particular attention to the songs, all of them are great and very interesting. Adventure are: Odd-Roar Bakken - Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Lead Guitar and Backing Vocals, Terje Flessen - Lead Guitars, Rhythm Guitars, Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars, Vebjorn Moen - Lead Vocals and Backing Vocals. Guest Musicians Stein Egil Bratland - Drums and Backing Vocals, Elisabeth Nilssen - Flute and Stine Mostervik - Flute. As Adventure it said: Our music is to all the fans of Progressive Rock around the world. Excellent and indispensable work, high recommendable...

02/21/2001.................................................................Would you like to know more? Go to ADVENTURE HOME PAGE...

JOELMUSICGROUP - "Six Degrees Of Freedom"
Joelmusicgroup came into being in 1999 officially. Before Joel has been plaiyng and performing since the 1980´s, he lives in the small rustbelt city of Dunkirk, N.Y. Joel Maslakowski is the sole member of Joelmusicgroup and he writes, sings, and performs all the instrumentation. He also records, and produces each CD in his own studio. Joel's mostly know as a lead guitarist/singer, who spent years working the club circuit from Europe to North America. Always playing as a side man in someone else's band. Joel is putting together a real "Joelmusicgroup" for his next outing, and performing. It´s really a great musician, he is a professional guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist, author, songwriter, composer and his music style can be easily compared to the "Yes", "King Crinson", "Asia" and "Emerson Lake & Palmer", he plays the original 70's Progressive Rock, but If you already it heard "UK" then you need to hear Joel, to the best describe he plays in the same line of the band "UK" and "Asia" using the same references and style, without forgetting his special touchs. The music of Six Degrees Of Freedom is very delightful we start the year 2001 with an execelente work. The CD was released in january 2001and recorded at Joel´s home studio, with eigth tracks, all of them are very cool but I have my special and particular attention to the songs: "Mito 006", "In The Name O' The Father", "My Inferno", "Invisible Man", and "Home Free" is the best. Joel plays all instruments and vocals. Excellent and indispensable work, high recommendable...

03/04/2001..................................................................For more information contact JOELMUSICGROUP HOME PAGE...

SCHIZOPHONIA - "Quaternaire"
Schizophonia, for many people it does not matter of where it came and where and when this band was born, at the moment what more it matters it is what it means Schizophonia. Does the style of music you enjoy have a future? Can you answer this question? Then, if you can or if you know the answer, you will know what is meaning of the Band´s name and the Schizophonia´s music. It nothing can be compared or better saying I do not believe that nothing same or better than the music from this band. It´s realy a great work and the future of Progressive Rock Music. What it means style of music? To play a same style and influences or to play the same ideia, as Pink Floyd, Genesis, Yes, Camel, King Crinson and others, It does not matter. It´s very important that we need to understand the feelings of the musicians and its thoughts. The music Style that we enjoy will be always the Future (this is my answer), Schizophonia is the present and will be part of the music´s future. "Quaternaire" was realized by "Last Call label", produced and recorded in a home studio by Schizophonia and David Richards the producer of Queen and engineer of Bowie, Stewe Howe, Emerson Lake Palmer, all the voices ware maden by Marco Miserocchi together with Marco Caldi, his friend, who plays several instruments. The CD has eight tracks with 52 min of exciting songs, I have my special and particular attention to the songs: "Ecume", "Eléments", "Mégalithes" is the Best, "Dance des Ombres" and "L´abine". Schizophonia is: Marco D. Miserocchi - Flute and all Vocals, Marco Caldi - Keyboards, Guitars and Bass, Thierry Hostaetter - Druns and Percussions and JB Meier - Percussions. Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable...

03/18/2001.........................................................More information about the Band go to SCHIZOPHONIA HOME PAGE...

ANDROMEDA - "Extension Of The Wish"
Andromeda took shape in June 1999, but the planned recording sessions for a massive debut album were constantly postponed, simply because no suitable vocalist was found. Yes, young John Reinholdz is quite a perfectionist - and we sure like that! The quest for a vocalist seemed almost endless, especially when one vocalist was asked to leave the day before Andromeda was to enter Dug-Out Studios, were producer Danne Bergstrand was all set to go. In a fit of both panic and depression (well, almost...), WAR called multi-talented Lawrence Mackrory (ex-Darkane) and asked him to handle the vocal duties. Without having heard neither music nor lyrics, Lawrence immediately stepped into the studio, did a sterling job as a session member. Yes, just like that! Andromeda is a Progressive Metal galaxy revolving around young Swedish guitar whiz Johan Reinholdz. We start a new year with an good Progressive Metal work, nice melodics sounds but some time very powerful moments with the impressive and bombastic guitars solos of Johan Reinholdz. They have positive influence from all traditional progressive metal bands as "Greyhaven", "Threshold", "Dream Theater" and others. Extension Of The Wish is the debut CD, all music and lyrics by Johan Reinholdz , with Seven tracks absolutely impressive with powerful songs. I have my special and particular attention to the songs: "The Words Unspoken", "Chameleon Carneval", "Extension Of The Wish" is the best, "Arch Angel". Now Andromeda are: Johan Reinholdz - Guitars, Martin Hedin - Keyboards, Thomas Lejon - Drums, Gert Daun - Bass, and David Fremberg - Vocals. Excellent work, high recommendable for all Prog Metal fans...

04/01/2001................................................................Would you like to know more? Go to ANDROMEDA HOME PAGE...

ANTARES - "Out Of Sight"
Antares was formed back in 1978 as a trio - Ludwig Eilers - guitars and basses - Helge Bülow- drums and good vibrations and of course mastermind Claus Neide -singer and keyboard player. In 1982 Antares released their first concept album "Over the Hills". The following years brought a whole lot of well visited concerts all over Germany including the famous "Onkel Pö`s Carnegie Hall in Hamburg. In 1999 Claus Neide started his new project. The press reaction was quite enthusiastic. Quotation of a local newspaper: "Remarkable are the fantastic vocals, power and emotion of which reminding us of Marillions Steve Hogarth or Jon Anderson". Of course, the press reaction is correct, the style can be easily compared with "Genesis", "Marillion" and "Yes", and also Antares concentrates some influences of the German Progressive Rock, the music is very melodic, sensitive and inovative with nice keyboard arrangements and fine guitar solos. "Out Of Sight" has seven brandnew songs, all of them have been composed by singer - songwriter and multi-instrumental Claus Neide. I have my special and particular attention to the songs: "Stay Away", "Lost In You", "Time Goes By" and "You Know". Antares are: Claus Neide - Keyboards, Programming, Guitars and Vocals, Peter Patzer - Keyboards and Programming, Jens Frike - Akk + Rhythm and Guitar, Rainer Schöning - Saxophon, Ede Brumund-Rüther - Bass and Khalid Schröder - Drums and Percussion. Excellent work, highly recommendable...

04/15/2001.....................................................................Would you like to know more? Go to ANTARES HOME PAGE...

POOR GENETIC MATERIAL - "Summerland"
The Poor Genetic Material original members Stefan Glomb and Philipp Jaehne have played together for ages in various bands and projects. Three yeas ago, they founded the band as an experimental/ instrumental projects. In that time they released two albuns which contained improvisations and soundscapes. Although, a lot of Poor Genetic Material´s music were used for several productions of various performance-theatre groups. However, at the same time ideas for song oriented material were collected. When they have started the songs they were faced with the question of who would sing, the problem was more than convincingly solved when Stefan and Philipp met and became friends of "Alias Eye" members. How we can define the music of this band, Ambient/Experimental, Progressive Rock, Melodic Rock or Neo Progressive? It does not matter. Let´s concentrate all these styles together in the same line and we will have Poor Genetic Material, a little different from the experimental bands of years 70 and 80 but with the same ideas, all the arrangements are moders, the Keyboards and Guitars are nice with some sounds effects and softs electronic textures. "Summerland" marks the begnning of a collaboration between Poor Genetic Material and Alias Eye from Philip Griffiths and Ludwig Benedek, a new Germany and promising Progressive Rock band. The CD is the new release from "QuiXote Music" with seven tracks and 43:25min of nice songs. I have my special and particular attention to: "Wouldism" (is the Best), "Living Desert", "Just Another Me" and "Summerland". The band are: Philipp Jaehne - Keyboards, Stefan Glomb - Guitars, Philip Griffiths (Alias Eye) - Lead Singer, Ludwig Benedek (Alias Eye) - Drums and Mirjam Buch, Background Vocals. Excellent work, high recommendable...

04/22/2001........................For more information about this great band visit POOR GENETIC MATERIAL HOME PAGE...

BRAINSTORM - "Earth Zero"
Brainstorm are a band from Melbourne Australia playing Spacerock/Progressive Rock. The Band was born back in 1988. It´s very nice to know about these guys again, like the last review they have a mix of diferent music reflected in many ways of members in the band, many influences of Jethro Tull and some parts of Yes, Dire Straits, Tangerine Dream and Hawkwind with touchs of Country Music, but now we can add some Pink Floyd parts to. In the past they played to people beyond the very small live scene in Melbourne, now Brainstorm is among the great bands around the world. "Earth Zero" is in the truth the first work of the band, written in 92 & 93, as well as one or two earlier ones which missed inclusion on the first album, at first it was released on cassette in 1995, where received some local radio play and reviews. There are a lot of combination of styles resulting in nice Space Rock Ballads. Produced by Brainstorm and Re-mastered September 2000, the CD has eleven tracks and I have my special and particular attention to the songs: "Freeway", "Stasis", "Back Home on Terra", "Triplanetary", and "Armageddon" (is the Best with 20:56 min of pure Progressive Rock a la Pink Floyd. Today Brainstorm are: Steve Bechervaise - Keyboards & Synthesisers, Craig Carter - Guitars, Vocals, Sequencer, Paul Foley - Vocals, Guitar, Recorder, Synthesisers, Jeff Powerlett - Bass & Vocals and Vittorio Di Iorio - Drums & Percussion. Excellent work, highly recommendable...

04/22/2001.............................................................Would you like to know more? Go to BRAINSTORM HOME PAGE...

OMNIA - "Último Generador de Equilibrio"
The band was born in 1996 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and their original members are Federico Fernandez in drums, Pablo Sangineto in keyboards and piano, Alejandro Scarpato in guitar and Nicolás Nuñez in leading voice and the bass-player Pablo Nieto joined the band in 2000. They first met as students at "Escuela Popular de Música - SADEM" , Argentina. In november 8th, 2000 Omnia presented their first production, "Último Generador de Equilibrio" (Last Equilibrium Generator), at The Cavern, located in Paseo la Plaza (Buenos Aires, Argentina), with a good audience, and also on the atlantic coast in 1998. The name "Omnia" comes from latin and means "all the things". Omnia has a style called Symphonic/Progressive Rock, in the truth it´s a blend of "Yes" and "Genesis" with an atmosphere full of special effects. The music is very structured, very Symphonic, Guitar and Keyboards are led instrumental work and is played in a style which is similar to "Nexus and Crucis" another Argentina Progressive Bands. "Último Generador de Equilibrio" is the first production of the band and was recorded between october 1999 and february 2000. It consists of eight own tracks, which maintain a conceptual unit between the content and the message of their lyrics. I have my special and particular attention to the songs: "La Matriz Del Fuego Sin Luz", "Lamma Sabbacthani", "La Sequoia", "Aqua Reggia" and "Myalokyma", the track 8, "Myalokyma" has waves of cerebral stimulation (Brainwaves), the effect is only appreciated when listening the songs with head phones and in a rest position. Warning, the people must take care with the sounds produced for cerebral waves stimulation, mainly epileptics people or in low pisciquiatric processing. Omnia are: Pablo Sangineto - Keyboards and Piano, Nicolás Nuñez -Vocals, Choirs and Percussions, Alejandro Scarpato - Guitars, Pablo Nieto - Bass and Federico Fernández - Drums and Percussions. Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable...

04/29/2001.....................................................................More information about the Band, go to OMNIA HOME PAGE...

SALMON - "Decade Reference"
Salmon is an enthousiastic Symphonic Rock Band from the Netherlands with members who are highly influenced by several musical trends. Salmon starts off through the renewed contact in October 1997 of keyboard player and lead singer Jan Jaap Langereis and bass player Sven de Haan, They used to be fellow members of an Amsterdam based Symphonic Rock cover band. A few years and many other bands later, Sven puts an advertisement in a Dutch magazine that specializes in Symphonic Rock Music. Jan Jaap responded with in the back of his mind the successful collaboration in the past. After months of so called "attic rehearsals", Henk Sonnenberg joined them. Henk used to be the drummer of the before mentioned Amsterdam based cover band and had remained Jan Jaap’s friend over the years. At more or less the same time in May 1998, Jan Jaap spotted an advertisement in a local newspaper in which a "Symphonic Music- minded" guitarist, Gerrit Hoogebeen, was looking for employment. Contact was made and a few days later the Salmon line-up was complete. Salmon is the name of special fish, strong, agile and very appreciated, like the fish, exist special flavor in this band a good taste of Symphonic Progressive Rock, the musicians are all very competent on their instruments. The abundant use of keyboards and guitars reminds me some thing as "Kayak", "Camel", "Yes" with a strong influence of the old "Genesis" also, using very creativity of the Dutch Progressive Rock style. This fact Salmon’s repertoire consists an authentic, varied and dynamic Symphonic Progressive Rock. "Decade Reference" is the first production of the band and they started the recording of the debut CD on the fifth of January 2001 in Studio Giekerk (near Leeuwarden, The Netherlands), artwork by Sven de Haan. You can listen almost 69 minutes of nice and unique songs. I have my special and particular attention to: "A Void", "A Second Life With Heart and Soul" (21:42 min. of pure delight), "Shazz" and "The Observer" (one of the best). Salmon are: Jan Jaap Langereis - Lead vocals, Keyboards and Recorders, Gerrit Hoogebeen - Electr.+ Acoust. Guitars, Background Vocals, Sven de Haan - Bass Guitars +pedals, Background Vocals and Robbert Schuster - Drums and Percussion, Background Vocals. Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable...

05/20/2001.............................................Would you like to know more about the band? Go to SALMON HOME PAGE...

CORTE DELLA MERIDIANA - "Varco Per l'infinito"
Corte Della Meridiana was born in september of 1999, in Italy, after a 3 years transaction time while Gabriele and Cristiano plaied with many other people. Actually the band is plaing in the north of Italy. Are you ready to listen this Band to play? I hope so, let´s define Corte Della Meridiana, think some thing about of the best moments of one italian historical group like "Premiata Forneria Marcone", add a little bit of "Le Orme" influences, we have now a fine Progressive Rock from 70', then increase the power of actual Progressive Metal style from "Dream Theatre", what do we have? A great and new fantastic Italian band called Corte Della Meridiana, a mix with the old and new Progressive, that´s because every member of the band has left to sign of his favourite music influences, the result is a multicolor musical with varied experiences, sometimes very melodic, sometimes very hard. "Varco Per L'infinito" is the first work and was recorded at august of 2000, It consists of eight own tracks of pure Italian Progressive Rock. The lyrics (all written by Gabriele Gianola) are linked by a general line that is "The Dream", some of them are inspirated by the Michale Ende "The mirror in the mirror" book, and all tell dream tails. I have my special and particular attention to the songs: "Varco per l'infinito - part 1", "L'uomo fatto di lettere" (one of the Best) you can listen "PFM" and "Dream Theatre" plaing together, "Regina del fango", "Lo specchio", "L'armata delle sette bestie" and "Varco per l'infinito - part 2". The band are: Cristiano Motta - Keyboards, Emmanuele Motta - Bass, Stefano Fanchi - Eletric Guitars, Gabriele Gianola - Drums, Percussions, Vocals and Acoustic Guitars and Alfredo Rossetti - Lead vocals. The name Corte Della Meridiana comes to one famous and original Italian wine of the years seventy. Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable...

05/27/2001..........................................Would you like to know more? Go to CORTE DELLA MERIDIANA HOME PAGE...

GLACIER - "Monument"
Glacier came into being in early 1979, when John Youdale (Guitar & Vocal) joined forces with Dave Dawson, Dale Harbron and Mick King and gigged briefly as Contraband. This new name, however, was to be short lived and changed briefly to "Glass Ear" and then due to a misheard telephone booking the name Glacier appeared on the noticeboard, and the band was born. A chance reunion sparked a reincarnation in 1985, but with Bob Mulvey taking over on bass, and Peter Cornforth on keyboards, a five-piece version was reformed and continued the development that the earlier band had started. Again, a successful period for the band that resulted in new material written and augmented by a spate of mini-tours and open air live gigs. Once a time a third reformation occurred in 1995. The now vacant vocalist position was filled by Heather Davies, already an accomplished professional singer who was intrigued by the material, and took on this different challenge. January 1998, sadly saw the departure of Peter Cornforth, due to work and family commitments. The keyboard position fell into the hands of Dave Kidson. During 1998 and early 1999 the band again rehearsed the back catalogue of material and started working on several new pieces. We can welcome to Glacier as a Neo Progressive Rock band who plays a blend of styles, the music is heavily influenced by the old "Pink Floyd" and also you will find "Yes", "Marillion", "King Crinson" and E.L.P touches. Very melodical passages of Keyboards and Guitars, completed with nice and soft vocals. "Monument" is the first CD with thirteen tracks, the album was dedicated to the drummer Mick King, who sadly passed away in 1997. All compositions written, played and arranged by Glacier past and present. I have my special and particular attention to the songs: "Think of England", "Bring Down the Rain", "The Iceman Cometh", "Con Molto Noddus", "East Of Arabia" and "The City Gates" (one of the Best). Today Glacier are: John Youdale - Lead Guitar and Vocals, Bob Mulvey - Bass Guitar, Dave Birdsall - Lead Vocals, Dave Kidson - Keyboards and Graeme Ash - Drums. Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable...

06/10/2001...................................................................More information about the Band go to GLACIER HOME PAGE...

FINISTERRE - "Storybook"
Finisterre was formed in 1992 in Genoa, Italy, by guitarist Stefano Marelli and bassist Fabio Zuffanti. Both were self-taught, and their musical style at the time brought together elements of psychedelic rock and blues. Under the influence of fellow band members, keyboard player Boris Valle and flautist Sergio Grazia, both music school students, it started going in a more sophisticated and symphonic direction, in the grand tradition of legendary Italian bands such as PFM and Banco. For the last five years, Finisterre have been at the center of the international Progressive Rock revival, producing music that is not merely a nostalgic recreation of the genre's golden years, but is always keen on pursuing its original aim of fusing the most diverse elements into a unique musical mix. In fact the band's name, derived from the Latin 'finis terre' ("finite land"), was chosen to express their intention of breaking down musical boundaries and going beyond the usual, self-imposed or otherwise, creative constraints. 2000 brought the biggest changes for the band, with the arrival of a new keyboard player, Agostino Macor and more recently addition of two new members, lead vocalist and flautist Raffaella Callea and violinist Sergio Caputo, making the band a sextet for the first time in its existence. Finisterre is known for blending classical music with traditions of the Italian Progressive Rock, and also you can sound some jazz passages, sometimes influences of the England Progressive Rock, I can say that we can´t compare Finisterre whit others bands, all the musicians have a great talent and they explore many differents musical directions, makes with that a private style. Storybook has eigth tracks, the songs was recorded during the ProgDay Festival at Storybook Farm in 1997. The production by Leonardo Pavikovic and MoonJune Records is a brilliantly document of Finisterre's first concert in America. There is no particular attention to the songs, all of them are great. At Storebook played: Fabio Zuffanti - Bass and Vocals, Stefano Marelli - Guitars, Boris Valle - Keyboards, Sergio Grazia - Flute (who had briefly come back for a short series of summer concerts) and Adrea Orlando - Drums. Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable...

06/24/2001................................................................Would you like to know more? Go to FINISTERRE HOME PAGE...

GREY LADY DOWN - "Star-Crossed"
Grey Lady Down was formed in 1992 in Oxfordshire, England, when previous collaborators Louis David (keyboards), Julian Hunt (guitars) and Martin Wilson (vocals), playing under the name "Shadowland", were joined by a new rhythm section, Sean Spear (bass) and Mark Robotham (drums). Due to the existence of another new band called "Shadowland" a name change was required and Grey Lady Down was chosen, derived from a Charlton Heston film, in the belief that it would be unusual enough not to have been used before. From the outset Grey Lady Down strove for a more direct and aggressive, but still accessible, Progressive Rock style than many of their contemporaries. This resulted in the band quickly establishing itself as a highlight on their native Oxford gig circuit. Over the last years Grey Lady Down have been gain a good deal of coverage in the progressive fanzines around the world, the band plays a strong Melodic and Progressive Rock with high-class instrumental, some times adding a Hard Rock blends, we can hear variable styles and influences, better comparing with bands as Genesis, Pendragon, Marillion and Pallas, but I prefer to say that the band has a proper and innovative style. Star-Crossed is a very strong work, more professional than the previous ones, the material on the album is really very good. The CD has eight tracks and I have my special and particular attention to the songs: "As The Brakes Fail", "Fallen" (one of the Best), "New Age Tyranny", "Truth" and "Crossfire". Today Grey Lady Down are: Mark Westworth - Keyboards, Julian Hunt - Guitars, Sean Spear - Bass, Martin Wilson - Vocals, Phill Millichamp - Drums. Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable...

07/01/2001.......................................................Would you like to know more? Go to GREY LADY DOWN HOME PAGE...

SYRENS CALL - "Fantasea"
Syrens Call, bewitched by the progressive wave, sailed from its birth in 97 toward a melodic Heavy-Metal tinted by emotions. Its music waves between the calm and the storm in an alliance of charm and power. A few weeks after the band's birth, "Strange Reality" was recorded with Stéphane Buriez in the LB Studio. The vocal parts and the final mix have been done in the Studio Amadeus by David Beckandt. The song received good reviews in underground and European national press and was included in 3 CD compilations between 1997 and 1998. This welcome added to tons of aficionados letters strengthened Syrens Call determination and encouraged the band to carry on in its process of creation. For nearly two years the band focused all its energy on composing and arranging the songs that composed today its first CD. Syrens Call a new name in the Melodic Progressive Metal scene, the band has their own sound with impressive songwriting and vocals with a solid melody. The vocals are complemented by many melodic guitars sound and also some heavy guitar works, with a heavy and strong drums. Better comparing, they have a positive influence from some tradicional Progressive Metal bands as "The Gathering", Greyhavem and Threshold. Nothing very heavy and nothing very soft, everything in the correct measure. "Fantasea" is the debut albun and it has ten powerful and melodic songs with 60min to show us a lot of energy, (including the "Kiss" standard "I Still Love You") that are reflections of each member of Syrens Call sensibility. Result of an intense work but also fruit of the collaboration of a team of friends. The cover and all artworks are great and reflect the positive energy of the band. I have my special and particular attention to the songs: "Brave Hearts", "Storm" , "Aquatic Coma", "Fantasea", "Shame (Words to Virginia)" and "Far Away" (one of the Best). Syrens Call are: Valérie Paul - Vocals, Stéphane Thuriot - Rhythm Guitar, Thibaut Coisne - Lead Guitar, Eric Serre - Bass and Sébastien Pauls - Drums, all Keyboards arrangements by Syrens Call, guest musician Florence Genser - Alto and Violin. Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable...

07/08/2001......................................Would you like to know more about the band? Go to SYRENS CALL HOME PAGE...

SONIQ THEATER - "Same"
Soniq Theater is the solo project from Alfred Müller a talented Keyboarder player and also a multiinstrumentalist. From 1980 to 1990 he played in several bands with different styles, in 1991 the band Rachel's Birthday was founded and Alfred Müller became a part of this band, in 1992 Rachel's Birthday won the rockcontest "Headliner" in Germany and became the first of 38 Bands. In that time at 1998 Alfred Müller received an award 1st class of the "Preston University" for his compositions of Progressive Rock. Two years ago Alfred Müller started his solo project called Soniq Theater. Is very dificult to define his music influences, but you can hear snippets of various styles, best describe a mix between "Mike Oldfield", "Rick Wakeman", "Tangerine Dream", "Yes", "King Crinson" and others. The music is very diverse and all the time evolving dominate keyboards with many songs effects, a instrumental that fuses Progressive Rock, Electronic Rock Music with some Ambient touchs. As Alfred sad: "The style of the project can be defined as keyboardbased, melodic and Symphonic Progressive Rock". Soniq Theater is a debut CD and a selfproducing, a nice and original collection of 16 tracks, composed and performed during last 2000 by Alfred Müller. The Covers, logos and Designs by Thierry Guilleminot. I have my special and particular attention to the songs: "Pandora's Box", "Minka e Rano", "Excalibur", "The Power and the Glory", "Hydra", "Crying Sky", "The Riders of Rohan" (One of the Best), "Cinemagic" (another great song) and "Dans Les Nuages". On the Soniq Theater, Alfred Müller played a lot of the instruments himself, they are: Keyboards, Soundmodules, Electronic Drums, Sampled Guitars, Sampled Vocals and Special Effects. Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable...

07/29/2001...............................................................Do you want to know more? Go to SONIQ THEATER HOME PAGE...

SCAPELAND WISH - "Reason"
ScapeLand Wish was formed in 1997, they are a three-piece powerhouse trio from the state of Connecticut, USA. Comprised of Joshua Ramirez, he has been performing in various bands, covering many styles of music for most of his life, Mike Stiskal that was pushed somewhat unwillingly into piano lessons at an early age, and Kevin Forsberg, he has been involved with music from his early years, starting with the formal study of drums and percussion, this clever band has created some of the most inventive rock music since bands such as Yes, Rush, Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, to name a few, were in their prime. ScapeLand Wish have successfully combined the Progressive Rock eloquence with the Adult-Oriented Rock format to create music that has been hailed as "Brilliant" and "Superb" by their musical peers. The music from these three-piece is incredibly inspired into influences from the old english bands like "Yes" and "Ambrosia", adding some influences from the modern Neo Progressive "Marillion" and also with some South America rhithms, you can listen a variety of melodical arrangements, not very technical but very soft, superb and diverse in the guitar sounds. "Reason" is a Independent release from 2000, with fourteen tracks and 57:41min of nice songs. I have my special and particular attention to: "As A Child" (One of the Best), "Snow In Santa Fe", "The Heart of the Andes", "A Brave New World" and "Take the Lead". ScapeLand Wish are: Josh Ramirez - Vocals, Drums, Percussion, Mike Stiskal - Bass, Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Background Vocals and Kevin Forsberg - Electric and Acoustic Guitars. Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable...

08/12/2001.......................................................Would you like to know more? Go to SCAPELAND WISH HOME PAGE...

ROMISLOKUS - "Between Two Mirrors"
The project Romislokus was started shortly before the beginning of the XXI century. At present, due to the switch over to the computer technologies, the electronic- acoustic music has become more preferable. They used linear and plane vision of sounding objects. The basic musical blocks have been arranged, the signal row of each of them has been put in order. The tasks of musical dramatic composition are solved according to software. That is, the starting-point of the listener will be shifted relatively to the music, and vice versa, the musical objects aren’t static either, some of them are able to shift relatively to the basic structure. By means of musical dramatic composition they try to construct the world in its diversity, to reflect the reality by means of interaction of 3 aggressive mediums constructed by us: organic, in-organic and intermediate medium, which can’t be defined, and is associated with the magnetic and other fields. If They’ll judge it from the point of view of mechanics, the human voice and the cells are in charge of organics, the computer and the synthesizer are in charge of the in-organics and the electronic guitars and the processor is the link between them. This is the Internet project, in which the specialists of different spheres of knowledge are busy working out projects in the field of new electroacoustic music. You never know what is waiting for you at the end of the way. When creating a musical composition, one is guided by the listener inside oneself, evaluates oneself, passes a sentence upon oneself, and only having finished the work, submits a ready composition on court of the audience. ("By Romislokus"). Well, It´s very hard to describe the music of this Russian project, let´s go back to years 70 and make a blend with the bands "Embryo", "Kraftwerk", "Can", "Vangelis" and others in the same musical line, now let´s go to the future and including new electronic technologies, you will have a amazing Ambient and Experimental sounds with travelling space rhythmics, all vocals are in Russian with great instrumental variation. "Between Two Mirros" is a self production with ten tracks. I have my special and particular attention to: "Cold" (One of the Best), "The Wood Cutter", "The Thunderstorm Is Coming", "The Mist", "Termites" and "Three Colors". Romislokus are: Evgeniy Gorelov - Keyboards, Vocal, Attorney, Irina Unakovskaya - Viola, Mihail Voronov - Lead Guitar, Mihail Brovarnik - Bass, Uriy Smolnikov - Rhythm Guitar, Vocal and Drums and bass programming – Romislokus. Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable...

08/12/2001.........................Would you like to know more about this great project? Go to ROMISLOKUS HOME PAGE...

CONTRAPPUNTO - "Lilith"
Contrappunto is a Progressive Rock Italian Band from Torino, the band was born in 1995 with another guitarist and Andrea Cavallo a great keybordist composer who was the singer too. After a concert which was at the same time on the radio, Contrappunto change the guitarist and Sebastiano becames the new one (He still do it!); in few months they get a female singer, Sara, that you can hear on the first album. At the end of 1995 Contrappunto released the first demo. In 1996 Contrappunto do many gigs and get a prize for the most original compositions between 120 bands. In 1997 the band released the second demo, "Mini-Mood", with other 4 songs but this is also unavailable now; at the end of the year they sign the contract for the Brazilian indipendent label. In 1999 Contrappunto change the drummer and write new material for the second album. I consider that Italy is a land of the Progressive Rock bands, and without a question I have to admit that I´m a big fan of Italian Progressive Rock and Contrappunto is among the best bands from the golden age of Italian Progressive Rock, the style could be described as somewhere between Hard Progressive Symphonic with classical music influences. The musical estructure has a great keyboard work with amazing and dynamic guitar sounds, the female vocals are very angelical and adding a strong power to the band. "Lilith" is the second work and was recorded on december 2000, with eight tracks and 50:55min of pure delight. I have my special and particular attention to the songs: "Moon", "Don´t Wake Me Up", "Fantasia Pour Le Piano" and "Dive In Yourself" (Is the Best). Contrappunto are: Andrea Cavallo - Piano, Keyboards and Synthetizers, Sebastiano Di Paola - Electric and Acustic Guitar, Adelaide Loru - Vocals, Guido Fiori - Bass and Denis Militello - Drums. Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable...

08/12/2001........................................................................For more information, go to CONTRAPPUNTO HOME PAGE...

RECORDANDO O VALE DAS MAÇÃS - "As crianças da nova floresta"
Recordando o Vale das Maçãs came out in Santos - São Paulo, Brazil in 1973, with three young musicians, Fernando Pacheco, Fernando Motta and Domingos Marioti. The Musical environment was inspired in experiences with the nature contact. At the same time other musicians showed interest in the job and joined the band. And with this formation the songs of the band were consisted of a harmonius and rhythmic variations turned to melodies of that time, making their proposal concrete. The compositions had some influences of different styles like: Impressionism and Rock in a progressive fusion, resulting in one of the well know classic of the 70s- Progressive Rock. Acoustic and eletronic equipments were increased their values, between Classical and Popular scene. During 1974 up to 1982, "RVM", (the short for "Recordando o Vale Das Maçãs" in portuguese), performed some shows in some states in Brazil. In 1980, the drummer Milton Bernardes was replaced by Lourenço Gotti. From 1983 to 1992 its work was restricted to the recording studio sessions. And the return of the group to the shows finally happened in November of 1992 at the "Teatro Municipal de Santos, São Paulo, Brazil" with the show "Remembering the Valley of Apples 10 years after". In June, 21, 1997. Recordando o Vale das Maçãs represented the Brazil in the traditional "Fête de la Music", in Paris, invited by Brazilian Embassy in French. Recordando o Vale das Maçãs is one of the most famous and also one of the oldest bands of Progressive Rock of the brazilian scene. The musical influences are very on to years 70, better saying that the members had followed well the age of "Power and Flower", then it can say that the base of the sound of this band is in the original Progressive Rock. As Crianças da Nova Floresta is the first and original work from 1977, it was remastered and including two bonus track from the single "Sorriso de Verão"/"Flores na Estrada". In this CD the musicians are: Fernando Pacheco - Electric Guitars and Acoustic Guitar, Fernando Motta - Acoustic Guitar, Eliseu de Oliveira - Keyboards and Vocal, Ronaldo de Mesquita - Bass, Milton Bernardes - Drums, Percussion and Vocal, Moacir Amaral - Flute and Vocal, Luiz Aranha - Violin and Lourenço Gotti - Drums. Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable...

08/19/2001............................Would you like to know more? Go to RECORDANDO O VALE DAS MAÇÃS HOME PAGE...

DFA - "Work in Progress Live"
Duty Free Area, the first idea was born in 1991, Verona, Italy by three guys: Alberto De Grandis, Luca Baldassari and Roberto Tommasini they have decide to put together a band. In 1992 the newly born band writes the first songs mainly based on De Grandis ideas. The sound evolves and they pursue more ambitious goals. The band strives to more complex compositions and feels the urge of presenting them live. Encouraged by good reviews they decide to record a demotape. "Trip On Metrò" is recorded between April and May. Alberto Piras of "Deus Ex Machina" hears it and contacts the band to produce their first CD. At the same time Tommasini leaves the group and in his place came Alberto Bonomi. The new line up rewrites the demo tracks. The songs are completed with new inserts and their structures changes. Some vocal parts are introduced and vocal duties are shared between De Grandis and Bonomi. In January the band stars to play alive for the first time with the new line-up. In the meantime they define the last details with Piras to realize the album. "La Via" is written in February and in April they start recording "Lavori In Corso". "La sua Anima" is written during summer, and also most ideas of "Ragno" that will appear in the second work. In september the band completes the recording sessions of "Lavori in corso" and by October the album is ready. The second work was presented live in a concert held in Verona on February 7, it was a surprise of the year because of the high quality level. The band plays many gigs. To be mentioned the one in Bologna supporting "Banco del Mutuo Soccorso". In 1998 the band played live with "Le Orme" and reaches the final stage of "Concorso Omaggio a Demetrio Stratos". 2001 As a closing mark on such an important period in the band's life, DFA decide to release a live album from the recordings of their NEARFest performance. DFA is not a simple italian band, the band´s sound is a mix of Progressive Rock with touchs of Jazz Symphonic Fusion, there is a musical balance between the old italians bands with blends of the best England Progressive Rock including modern musical elements of years 90. The musical line is very nice and the guitars sounds are incredible it´s one of the best moments of the band and define the spirit alive of Duty Free Area. "Work In Progress Live" has six tracks with 66:32min of the best in the band alive, it was recorded live on june, 2000 at Lehigh University´s Zoelliner Arts Center, during NEARFest 2000. Producedy by DFA with executive production of Leonardo Pavkovic and MoonJune Records. All the songs are great but I have my special and particular attention to: "Escher" and "La Via" they are the best in best. DFA Palyed at NEARFest with: Silvio Minella - Guitars, Luca Baldassari - Electric Bass, Alberto De Grandis - Drums and Vocals and Alberto Bonomi - Keyboards and Vocals. Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable...

09/02/2001..............................................................If you want to know more about the band, go to DFA HOME PAGE...

LE ORME - "Elementi"
Le Orme are the most enigmatic Group on the Italian scene, Their career began in 1967 with the 45 rpm 'Fiori e Colori'. Just with the first record it was clear that Le Orme were unique. In 1970 the band left behind the Beat mode and began their musical research in new directions, struggling against prehistoric Record Companies who didn't believe in new ideas. In 1971, after the Italian success of E.L.&P, producers were finally convinced and Le Orme were able to realise an Album according to their ideas: 'Collage''. This 33 r.p.m. changed Italian Musical History. This Milestone gave birth to all Italian Progressive Groups: P.F.M., Banco, Delirium, etc. From this brief story we can comprehend why we consider Le Orme an enigma, every LP is completely different from the other, and their Live Performances were authentic theatrical shows; the covers of several of their Albums have attained World fame, like Felona e Sorona that won a Golden Disc. This 33 r.p.m. was the first Italian Concept Album. The success was so sensational that Tony Stratton Smith (Boss of Charisma ) 'obligated' Le Orme to record the same Album in English. Peter Hammill (Ex Van Der Graaf Generator) fell in love with Felona e Sorona and in translating conveyed his great visionary, apocalitical, and feverish force. He transmitted his personal poetical touch in the same style as the beautiful and famous brans for which he is renowned, as in the Italian record, the English version contained a brief story on the two imaginary Planets: Felona and Sorona imagined Planets millions of light years apart. Now after some years Le Orme is back with the same power and energy, it is not necessary to make matchings or to say which the style of the band is, Le Orme is totaly amazing they are one of the best and do not need references. "Elementi" is the return of the giant Le Orme in 2001. The CD is dedicated to the four natural elements, with fourteen tracks and 42:27min of great songs, in the same line from the albuns "Felona e Sorona", "Collage", "Smogmagica", "Contrappunti" and "Florian" but with more powerfull. Today Le Orme are: Aldo Tagliapietra - Vocals, Bass, Bass Pedal, Guitar and Sitar, Michi Dei Rossi - Drums, Percussion Glockenspiel, Michele Bon - Hammond Organ, C3, Keyboards, "Alien" (Guitar simulator) and Vocals and Andrea Bassato - Keyboards, Violin and vocal. Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable...

09/16/2001..................................Would you like to know more about this great Band? Go to LE ORME HOME PAGE...

ARION - "Same"
The band Arion, at first, was born with the name of Magma, appeared in 1993 in the university of Viçosa City, Minas Gerais - Brazil, where it carried through diverse shows, the band has participated of special for the television and started to have a bigger together endorsement to the public, having if also presented in Belo Horizonte. Already counting on a fine instrument, the band acquired current identity with the singer "Tânia Braz", musician formed in composition by the School of Music of the UFMG. The goal of the group in the last years has been to keep the commitment to consolidate a work of Progressive Rock of quality and thus if to integrate the Brazilian Progressive Rock scene. The common interest for the known style as Progressive Rock matched these artists in a musical solid design, characterized by elaborated with an instrumental energy, that resulted in the first Compact Disc of the Band. Mainly come back to the external progressive rock scene, where it concentrates most of the fans of Progressive Rock, the CD already it´s being commercialized in the Europe, United States and Japan, where it comes being received for the critical one well specialized. Arion combines a diverse experience of the members in a dynamic blend of musical styles, the band has an instrumental section that is really enjoyable to listen to. In some songs parts you can hear a soft touch of the "Renaissance", including echoes from the German Progressive Rock style, with a lot of guitars and keyboards with grandiose musical passages. The vocals deserve a special mentioning, the female lead singer "Tania Braz" has a beautiful voice, some times soft and some times strong, especially in the many reflective moments. Arion was recorded, mixed and mastered in Belo Horizonte - Brasil, the CD has seven tracks, all the songs arranged by Arion, with 63:31 min of pure delight. All the songs are great but I have my special and particular attention to: "Eyes Of Time" (is the Best), "Daybreak Child", "Land Of Dreams" and "Every Way". Arion are: Tania Braz - Vocals and Acoustic Guitar, Luciano Soares - Guitars, Sergio Paolucci - Keydoards, Carlos Linhares - Bass and Acoustic Guitar and Nelson Rosa - Drums, special guest musicians: Thiaga - Voices in Natureza Mística and Alexandre Reis - Percussion. Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable...

09/30/2001........................Would you like to know more about this great Brazilian Band? Go to ARION HOME PAGE...

PLACKBAND - "The Lost Tapes"
Plackband was formed in the mid-seventies in Holland by musicians who come from different musical styles, which has changed this band into one of the most creative bands in the world. They have been very much known in their homeland, where a legion of fans are often present on their live performances. ‘’The Lost Tapes’’ is their debut, which features a gig at Xmas eve in December of 1981. The album consists of 6 songs of the highest level, musically speaking, where all of them are entirely able to please everyone who is always in search of quality music. All the songs consist of a considerable length, where the shortest song is 6:00 minutes and the most extensive one is 16:35 minutes. For some people Plackband should be such as a Dutch Genesis, I would dare to disagree of it and eve to go farther by saying they really form a self-styled band. Yes they do. However it’s obvious on listening to a band we will always remind of another one, which will make us have it as a reference; in this case in my view I would say the music of Plackband reminds me at times of bands as "Jane" for the spontaneity in performing live, mainly towards the vocalist "Kees Bik", who sings so beautifully. "Focus" in some guitar riffs, "Twelft Night" for the musical energy and beauty and also a little bit of "Fermata" for some slight Jazzy passages. For quite a few people ‘’The Lost Tapes’’ have been taken as the Cd of the year, you see this work was within an ace of not reaching our ears because this material was long forgotten or lost in the attic of some band member’s house, only found 18 years later. Plackband are: Kees Bik - Lead Vocal and Keyboards, Ronald Brautigam - Guitars and Backing Vocal, Michel van Wassem - Keyboards and Backing Vocals, Tom van der Meulen - Drums and Percussions and Albert de Keijzer - Bass and Bass Pedals. Lucky people we are!!! This work is somewhat indispensable in any Cd collection, highly recommendable... (BySergio Motta)

10/06/2001................................................................Would you like to know more? Go to PLACKBAND HOME PAGE...

COLOURBLIND - "Forever Lost"
Colourblind started out around three years and was founded by the brothers Shaun and Alistair Galea who after various line up changes found the right elements to form Colourblind and explore the infinite realms of progressive rock. The band´s lineup is Paul Cassar on Vocals and violin, Alistair Galea on guitars, Etienne Scicluna on keyboards and backing vocals, Adriano Azzopardi on Bass and Shaun Galeas on drums. The band find their inspirations from various bands from the seventies and eighties like Kansas, Queen, Rush and Jethro Tull to the progressive bands of today like Dream Theater and Cairo. The band´s name reflects their attitude towards life and of course music, you can not prejudice against any kind of rock music if you want to play true progressive rock and you can not prejudice against any religion or racial colour to be part of a true free world. If you want to hear some seriously talented musicians to play some seriously and excellent Progressive Hard Rock music, then you need hear Colourblind, the sound quality is so good, especially the keyboards, violin and the guitars, the music and melodies are magnificent. They have a mix from "Rush" with "Kansas", but the violin give us a wonderfull special touch in some songs parts, the results in a beautiful atmospheric among the Guitars and the Keyboards. "Forever Lost" is the first release of the band with four tracks, the music and lyrics by Colourblind, produced and engineered at Farmhouse Recording Studio. All the songs are great but I have my special and particular attention to: "Forever Lost" and "Devil Dance" (is the best in best). Colourblind are: Paul Cassar - Vocals and Violin, Alistair Galea - Electric and Acooustic Guitar, Etienne Scicluna - Keyboards and Backing Vocals, Shaun Galea - Drums and Percussions and Adriano Azzopardi - Bass. "Living, too many colours in this saddened ride striving, where do we belong in this life? Praying, Oh God make us all be Colour Blind" by Colourblind. Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable...

11/18/2001...................................................................Do you want to know more? Go to CLOURBLIND HOME PAGE...

TRIPOD - "Same"
Tripod was born in New York City. What you think about a band the Progressive Rock without Guitars and Keyboards? You can believe that one exists and with impressive musical quality, the name of this band is Tripod. The group is a three-man band whose instrumentation is made up of drums, wind instruments such as flute, clarinet and mainly sax including bass including nice vocals. It is impressive, they do not need guitars and keyboards to make a good Progressive Hard Rock or other kind of music style. The objective of the group is to show that to become good music it is not necessary many musical instruments, most important is to have talent to be able to express feelings without conventional istrumentos for certain musical styles where the keyboards and guitars are very impotant. I think is important to use as reference bands like "King Crimson", "Van Der Graaf Generator", "Gong", "Embryo", "Can" and also "Robert Fripp" where they have explored mainly wind instruments without change the conceit and mainly proving that they're versatile and innovator. Tripod is a unique rock trio that knows to make rock without guitars and keyboards. "Tripod" is the band debut CD including nine tracks, Recorded at Spa Recording Studios - New York, NY, mixed at Paramount Sudios - Los Angeles, CA. I have my special and particular attention to the songs: "Trip The Light", "As The Sun", "Incident (Suite) (a) Retro-Glide, (b) Danger Isn't Safe, "Four Winds", "Jerome's Spotlight" and "A Most Logical Position". Tripod are: Clint Bahr - Musicvox 12-String Bass (Ltd. Ed.), Musicvox 12-String Bass, Chapman Stick 10-String, Fernandes 8-String Bass, Ibanez 8-String Bass, Fender Jazz 4-String Bass, Moog Taurus Pedals (2 sets), FX Pedalboard: Morley PWF - Morley DWV - Morley ABY - Electroharmonix Bass Synth - MXR 10 Band EQ - Digitech Bass Whammy - Korg PME - (chorus, analog delay, phaser, compressor) - Boss Overdrive - Boss Analog Delay, 4 HiWatt 100 Watt Amps, 3 HiWatt 4 x 12 Cabs, 1 Acoustic 18" Reflex Cab, Rotosound Strings, E-Bow, Glass Slide, Shure Mics. Keith Gurland - Selmer Mark VII Tenor Sax, Selmer Super Balanced Alto Sax, Buffet Clarinet, Yamaha Flute, Panpipes, DOD - Vo Tec FX Pedal, Morley DWV Pedal, Morley ABY Pedal, Roland PK-5 Pedals, Shure Mics. Steve Tobin - Drums Cymbals and Percussions. Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable...

11/18/2001.........................................................If you want to know more about the band, go to TRIPOD HOME PAGE...

BETO VÁZQUEZ - "Infinity"
For some time, the bass player and Argentinean songwriter Beto Vázquez (leader and founder of the extinct band Nepal), continued enlarging his musical horizons, always accumulating new ideas, and with the hope of finally making a group of musicians that could fulfill and understand what he really wanted to transmit. This new creative stage in Beto's careeer uses very varied compositions in what refers to styles, leaving behind the songwriting parameters that he surrendered in the last years next to his former band (Nepal). In September of 1999, he finished to compose what would be a demo, which was listened by the record label Nems Enterprises, who immediately offered him a record deal. The election of the different voices was also a hard task, since diverse candidates were shuffled, being finally chosen Fabio Lione (Rhapsody, Vision Divine, Athena), Candice Night (Blackmore's Night), Tarja Turunen (Nightwish) and Sabine Edelsbacher (Edenbridge). By middle year of 2000, the band played live for the first time as opening act for Nightwish, in Buenos Aires, achieving the public's massive acceptance (a crowd also surprised with the interpretation of the "Pink Floyd" cover "High hopes"). In January of 2001, Max returned to his original band and Beto decided that it was time to incorporate more vocals to the project, applying choruses and looking for complementary vocal works. After many tests, the chosen ones were David Lazar, Diego Leone and Ailin Álybel, becoming stable members in charge of lead vocals and choruses. These new members, next to Marcelo Ponce, Lilah Bertolini, Gonzalo Iglesias, Danilo Moschen and Beto Vázquez himself, are doing their best for this band, and they are already working in the next musical adventure. The first idea is that, who thinks that it will go to hear Power Metal goes to be very disappointed, but if you want listen a diferent work with blends of many styles as Progressive Rock, Folk, Hard Rock and some touchs of Progressive Metal, then you are all right, Beto Vázquez and his project could be described as a Progressive Rock work made by Prog Metal musicians, the songs are some thing very influenced with a medieval music structures and the result is a beautiful melodical atmospheric among guitars, keyboards, drums and fluts completing with nice angelical female vocals. One thing very interesting, you can believe, some members on this project have many influences from "Pink Floyd". Infinity is the new Beto Vazquez project, where he shows all his experience and his musical ideas and influences, the total result is a great album, eleven tracks with pure delight. I have my special and particular attention to the songs: "Wizard", "Sadness In The Night", "Voyagers Of Time" (this suit has five parts and it´s the best) and "Promises Under The Rain". The Project are: Beto Vázquez - All music and arrangements Acoustic and Electric Bass Guitar, Danilo Moschen - Keyboards, Lilah Bertolini - Tin Whistle Flute in tracks 6, 7 and 9, Gonzalo Iglesias - Guitars in tracks 1, 4, 6, 10 and 11, Marcelo Ponce - Drums. Guest Musicians: Javier Bagalá - Guitars in tracks 2, 3, 7 and 9, Pablo Soler - Electric guitar in track 8, Jörg Michael - Drums,Tarja Turunen - Lead and backing vocals in tracks 1, 2, 4, 10 and 11, Sabine Edelsbacher - Lead and backing vocals in tracks 2, 10 and 11, Candice Night - Lead and backing vocals in tracks 6, 7, 9 and 11, Fabio Lione - Lead vocals in track 3, Javier Barrozo, Max Ditamo, Diego Valdez - Backing vocals in track 3 and Jussi Kannaste - Sax in track 9. This work is somewhat indispensable in any Cd collection, highly recommendable...

11/25/2001.................................................................Do you want to know more? Go to BETO VÁZQUEZ HOME PAGE...

ODYSSICE - "Impression"
Odyssice (a fantasy name associated with Greek mythelogy) was founded in 1986 by Bastiaan Peeters (Guitar), André Hubbeling (Keyboards) and Alan Natele (Drums). The group had an enormous start when 'Track One' was played on the dutch radioshow Countdown Café in 1987. Well known bands like "IQ", "Pendragon", "Oblique" and other symphobands were played in this radioshow. The phone never stop ringing. Kees Baars host of 'Countdown Café' had never seen such a reaction. The music of Odyssice is quite unique and can be decribed as dark clouds of string-ensembles and beautiful long guitarsolos. The guitarsolos add a vocal quality to this impressive instrumental music. All these ingredients make the music colourful and illustrative. For long Holland has given wonderful contributions to Progressive Rock scene, and again it happens now through one of the most important bands from current days, the band Odyssice. Their latest album is called "Impression". An album for you to set it into the CD player, to close your eyes and to let your mind go beyond the greenest fields and the bluest seas. "Impression" is in fact an album to put your sensibilities to the test. The album consists of twelve fine songs, which are all richly performed by highly gifted musicians. ‘’Impression’’ might well be taken as one of the best albums of the year for such an exuberant beauty. All those who have a soft spot in their hearts for bands like "Camel", "Pendragon" and "Finch" will surely be captivated by the sonority of this masterpiece. Moreover, for those who once enjoyed listening to "Moon Drive", Bastiaan Peeters’ skillfulness keeps on hand; his majestic way of playing the guitar again enchants the ears, at times giving us the sensation that everything works out like magic upon the strings of his instrument. Odyssice consist of the following musicians: Bas Peeters - Guitar, Jeroen van der Wiel - Keyboards and Bellyclap, Menno Boomsma - Drums and Flute and Pascal van de Pol - Bass and Mandoline. Hey boys, do not fail to purchase this stunning release, or you will often feel the strange sensation that there’s something special missing in your CD collection! Excellent and indispensable work, highly recommendable... (By Sergio Motta)

12/09/2001.....................................................If you want to know more about the band, go to ODYSSICE HOME PAGE...

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