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Review:
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In 2007 the rhythm-section of the legendary Hungarian
progrock band Solaris founded Solaris Fusion and released
the mini-CD Mystica (2 compositions). In 2008 this Hungarian
formation changed their name into Nostradamus with almost
the same line-up (only a new fluteplayer) but another musical
direction, I would like to describe it as a Heavy Prog version
of Solaris.
On this album it’s obvious that most musicians are classically
trained, the interplay is awesome and especially the compositorial
skills of keyboardplayer Valeria Barcsik are great, this
turns listening to Testament into a captivating musical
experience. I am excited about the tension between on one
hand the heavy rhythm-section, propulsive guitar riffs and
powerful guitar and on the other hand the sparkling flute
and sumptuous keyboards, it sounds like “classical meets
progmetal”, great! My favorite moments on this CD are Solarissimo
(bombastic and dynamic with swirling flute, fat synthesizer
flights and sensitive electric guitar runs, the Spanish
undertones are strong), Divine Comedy (between Heavy Prog
and progmetal with fiery guitar, sparkling flute and orchestral
keyboards), the enervating and dynamic titletrack (omnipresent
flutework, warm Grand piano, propulsive guitar riffs, a
strong organ solo and excellent interplay), a beautiful
build-up in Emotion (from dreamy with twanging guitar to
a compelling grand finale with howling guitar) and warm
interplay between classical flute and acoustic guitar in
Secret In Hand. A bit of a maverick is the short song African
Cotton Typesetters In Ireland that blends African singing
and Irish folk instruments, very special! The bonustrack
My Emotion is a strong conclusion, it starts mellow with
dreamy vocals and soaring keyboards and ends bombastic with
howling electric guitar. - What a stunning debut CD this
Hungarian formation has delivered, it deserves worldwide
attention, progheads alert!
www.progwalhalla.com
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