Neo-Prog
Netherlands
Symphonic neo-prog featuring heavy melodic keyboards that compare favourably with ARENA, PENDRAGON and SHADOWLAND without actually aping them. Most of their material relies heavily on standard yet finely crafted pop structures. Formed in 1981, they have released five studio albums and one farewell live cd in 2000 before officially disbanding - it is said that at least four of their six members plus a new drummer continue making music under the name TYRO.
Their first album, "In the City" (87) contains short but powerful tunes reminiscent of IQ and PALLAS. The highly symphonic "The Killing Silence" (91), however, is 60 minutes of prime prog and is considered their masterpiece, somewhat akin to CAMEL's "Dust and Dreams"; it also features a new and outstanding vocalist in the person of Jens van der Stempel. "Nebula", a close runner-up, contains eight tracks of pure sympho and is perhaps their most mature, with particular care given to the production. As for "Live at Last", it is a fairly good piece of memorabilia showcasing songs (some of the old ones re-arranged) from all eras and previous line-ups. Its sound is crisp and the selection first rate.
"The Killing Silence" and "Nebula" will both appeal to fans of CASTANARC, GALAHAD, MAGELLAN, COLLAGE, and to a certain extent LANDBERK.
Lise (HIBOU), CANADA
ALBUMS:
1987 - IN THE CITY
- Aldo Adema / guitars
- Marcel Copini / bass, vocals
- Jaap Mulder / keyboards, vocals
- Wolf Rappard / synthesizers, vocals
- Valere Wittevrongel / drums
1. Pyromania
2. Echoes of Celandine
3. Secret fence
4. Coming out of the mist
5. When all is said
6. Run for life
7. Losing a friend
8. In the city
Look!!
1991 - THE KILLING SILENCE
Musicians
- Jaap Mulder / piano, keyboards, backing vocals
- Wolf Rappard / keyboards & backing vocals
- Aldo Adema / guitar
- Marcel Copini / basses & acoustic guitar
- Jens van der Stempel / lead vocals
- Elly May / guest vocals
1. No Second Faust (8:40)
2. Tell Me (8:05)
3. T.T.C. (5:18)
4. Waiting For The Outburst (8:01)
5. The Killing Silence (16:12)
6. Message (5:40)
7. Stand Straight (8:00)
8. The Tide Is Out (2:51)
Total Time: 62:07
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1993 - HIM,THE SNAKE AND I
Musicians
- Maurits Kalsbeek / vocals
- Jaap Mulder / piano, keyboards, backing vocals
- Wolf Rappard / keyboards
- Aldo Adema / guitars
- Marcel Copini / bass, backing vocals
Tracks Listing
1. Jinc (Instrumental) (4:29)
2. Gringo (6:44)
3. On A Bench (1:42)
4. Witness (6:12)
5. Mother's Dream (5:00)
6. Slightly In Despair (6:42)
7. Satellite (7:10)
8. Thousand Stories (8:57)
Total Time: 46:56
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1996 - NEBULA
Musicians
- Maurits Kalsbeek / lead vocals, guitars, backing vocals
- Jaap Mulder / piano, keyboards, backing vocals
- Wolf Rappard / keyboards
- Aldo Adema / electric & acoustic guitars
- Marcel Copini / bass, backing vocals, acoustic guitar
- Valère Wittevrongel / drums, percussion
1. Hail To Your Heart (8:04)
2. Head In The Sand (5:20)
3. Peace Of The Brave (7:00)
4. Telepathic (5:39)
5. Buried Alive (8:20)
6. Little Human (5:51)
7. As Ripley Would Say... (12:30)
8. Dead Meat (7:23)
Total Time: 59:27
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