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Review:
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This is a Brasilian six piece band rooted
in 2000, they have released two studio albums: A Gaze Between
The Past And The Future (2002) and Mundus Novus (2006).
In December 2006 Tarkus also released the live CD entitled
Ao Vivo Em Niteron (2005, Brazil). This DVD contains 12
composition (including the ten CD tracks and two extra songs),
the running time is at about 1,5 hour. We can enjoy many
camera positions and lots of solo shots, the lightshow is
no more or less than tasteful with wonderful red, blue and
green colours, the excellent musicians play very enthousiastic
and the female singer sounds warm and passionated.
From the first moment I listened to Tarkus
I was carried away by their wonderful symphonic prog compositions
featuring a lush keyboard sound (two members are keyboardist),
strong and warm female Brasilian vocals (at some moments
similar to Bacamarte), a dynamic and fluent rhythm-section
and a crafted guitar player (from acoustic rhythm guitar
to propulsive riffs and sensitive soli). The most remarkable
element is the sound of the Minimoog, the music contains
lots of spectacular soli with strong hints from Seventies
Rick Wakeman. The climates on the ten compositions shift
very flowing from dreamy to often bombastic and some songs
deliver solo pieces on classical piano (very sparkling)
and classic guitar (with flageolets that remind me of Steve
Hackett). My highlights on this very compelling CD are O
Portal (pleasant changing climates and a great build-up
that culminates into an exciting ‘grand finale’’ with Minimoog
flights in the vein of the final part of Starship Trooper
by Yes), Vida Nova (warm intro with classical guitar and
piano, then lots of shifting moods and again exciting Minimoog
runs and sensitive electric guitar) and A Danca Escolhida
(wonderful twanging guitar, than first a dreamy atmosphere
and then a strong build-up to a bombastic final part with
powerful organ waves and propulsive guitar riffs). The final
track Ensaio Dos Ventos delivers a pleasant atmosphere with
a rock element (swinging piano, R&R guitar and powerful
vocals) but it ends with a symphonic prog finale that delivers
sparkling piano and sensational Minimoog flights, goose
bumps! The two extra songs are also worth listening, “no
fillers, all killers”! First No Campo, a solo piece on the
Takamine acoustic guitar, the atmosphere reminds me of Steve
Hackett his composition Horizons, emphasized by the use
of flageolets in the end. Then the wonderful and very compelling
Vale Magico, it starts with a majestic church organ sound,
then a slow rhythm with a captivating electric guitar/sitar
(on keyboards) duel and a grand finale featuring lush keyboards,
this is Progheaven!
I can only conclude with “highly recommended”,
in my opinion Tarkus deserves worldwide attention, what
a performance!
www.progwalhalla.com
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