Symphonic Prog
Japan
This Japanese progrock trio consisted of Nobuo 'Kodomo' Endoh (keyboards), Masahiko Ota (bass) and Suguru 'Yataro' Iwasaki (drums). They released two albums: "MacBethia" in '89 and "It Reminds Me of Those Days" from '90. In 2000 Made In Japans Records/Musea released the compilation CD "It Reminds Me of MacBethia" containing their best work from the two studio-albums. SOCIAL TENSION is the Japanese answer to early EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER.
Their first CD "MacBethia" is nothing less than "an ELP fan's wet dream", keyboard player Endoh sounds like the second coming of Keith EMERSON with his play on the Hammond and Minimoog. But he's not an ordinary clone and has more to offer: lots of fine orchestrations, many modern sounds from his Yamaha -, Korg - and Roland keyboards and the Mellotron (Keith EMERSON refuses to use this instrument). The compositions (mainly instrumental) have many exciting moments because of the spectacular Hammond runs and Minimoog flights and swirling pianoplay, supported by a powerful rhythm-section. The highlight is the epic titletrack, it sounds like "The best of early ELP"!. The second album "It Reminds Me of Those Days" has a compelling titletrack (some beautiful Mellotron eruptions) but most of the other tracks fail to generate the same excitement as on the debut-CD. In fact it's a rather disappointing second attempt (that's why most of the tracks are deleted on the compilation-CD).
Erik Neuteboom, The NETHERLANDS
ALBUMS:
1989 - MACBETHIA
Musicians
- Nobuo Endoh / keyboards
- Suguru Iwasaki / drums
- Masahiko Õta / bass
1. Go on my way (12:55)
2. Bolero (3:26)
3. Inner vision (5:35)
4. Wish for the time (5:43)
5. MacBethia: (19:37)
a) overture 6:00
b) on the lake side 2:53
c) MacBethia 10:44
Total Time: 47:16
Look!!
