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Review:
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ASTURIAS – In Search Of The Soul Trees - This Japanese
progrock band was founded in 1987 and made 3 studio albums:
Circle In The Forest (1988), Brilliant Streams (1990) and
Cryptogram Illusion (1993). Then Asturias disbanded but
25 years after their latest effort, here is a surprising
return in de original line-up, including members of the
other known Japanese progrock formation Shingetsu.
This new album contains two epic tracks (at about 23
and 27 minutes), both are divided into five parts. The music
is, like on their previous albums, strongly influenced by
Mike Oldfield but I also notice elements from folk, classical
music, jazz and symphonic rock, very well blended and tastefully
arranged: the one moment you hear instruments like a twanging
acoustic guitar, Grand piano, cello or flute, the other
moment bombastic keyboards and howling electric guitar runs.
To me this album sounds as a very pleasant and varied musical
journey with many interesting ideas and lots of surprising
shifting moods. My highlights are the two most progressive
rock oriented compositions: the alternating, often very
exciting Woods Storm (lush mellotron waves, fiery guitar,
a powerful Chris Squire-like bass, an acoustic guitar solo
with swinging piano and a swirling Hammond organ solo) and
the long Soul Trees (wonderful violin solo, great bombastic
eruptions and a beautiful final part with soaring keyboards
and warm classical guitar). I also like the final track
Dawn featuring sensitive work on Grand piano and electric
guitar, a very warm end of a strong and varied album. -
What a convincing return after 25 years for Asturias!
www.progwalhalla.com
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