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This is one mammoth release! 3 cds full of massive epic
tracks from 9 different bands. The songs range in length from
21:31 at the shortest to 28:15. No way to take this in with
one sitting unless you have over 3 hours to spare. The whole
project was put together with the intent of telling the age
old tale of Homer's "Odyssey", though with several different
languages it is somewhat difficult to follow. The entire package
comes in a great layout with a large and colorful booklet
to read as you listen if you feel so inclined. This is much
in the same vein as the previous Colossus of Rhodes and Kalevala
projects if you have heard those.
It is very difficult to review a release like this, so
I will break my own convention and do a song-by-song review
as each song is a different band.
Nathan Mahl: I had never gotten into these guys before,
and now think I might. This is instrumental, complex keyboard
driven prog rock that sounds similar to Finch or Focus without
the flute but more emphasis on organ and moog. Obviously,
these guys are extremely good at their respective instruments
(especially keys). One problem with this band for me is that
despite the obvious talent - they don't really give you good,
memorable melodies - just intense jamming for the most part.
Still - a very good track. Rating: 3.5 stars
Nexus: This track gets better. Nexus has always been
fronted by female vocals until now - and this is their first
product that I am aware of without them. Pleasant but not
fantastic male vocals are now brought out on occasion, though
most of the track is instrumental. Here we have awesome moog
lines and CRAZY organ driven prog with ELP influence from
time to time. It is very symphonic, however, and there are
some great melodies that surface repeatedly in the track.
I was worried this band might fold when their singer departed
- but don't fear - they still rock. I like. Rating: 4 stars
Glass Hammer: If you don't know who these guys are then
you have been sitting under a rock for the last 5 years or
so. One of the best symphonic prog bands going, and right
off the heels of an enormous epic, "The Inconsolable Secret".
This is everything you want: moog, mellotron, organ all over
the place - great bass and guitar lines (acoustic and electric),
tons of piano. Many different parts that vary from slow and
heartfelt to dark and brooding. The female vocals these guys
have added recently are great - but I have always had a problem
with their male vocalist. I think he songs out of tune and
doesn't really have that great of a voice. Maybe I'm in the
minority on this - but I actually liked the vocalist on their
album "Chronometree" WAY better. Male vocals aside, though
- this track is killer as usual from these guys. Rating: 4
stars
XII Alfonso: I had never heard these guys prior to this
release. This track is the first surprise as it varies from
the usually symphonic theme for the start of the second disc.
This is instrumental (aside from chanting), spacey, Ozric
Tentacles/Enigma/Solaris inspired stuff. I hear ambience,
Arabic influence, and very dark, almost Magma-like chanting
on occasion. At first I was put off by this track - but when
listened to in the right mindset - I actually really like
it now. If you like Solaris' stuff - chances are you might
dig this. Different! Rating: 3.5 stars
Simon Says: Another new one for me. Back to symphonic
prog with this Genesis-inspired band. Great moog work and
organ and some very cool guitar melodies that re-surface.
I should like this as I am a Genesis freak, and I was very
excited to hear the band. However... a big problem with this
band is the vocalist. I just can't get past him for the most
part. The song did grow on me somewhat, but I don't see myself
seeking out other release from these guys. Rating: 3 stars
C.A.P.: Disc 2 ends with the best track on the whole
compilation from one of the masters of Italian prog. These
guys are money in the bank - they release nothing bad. Wonderful
romantic Italian music that won't disappoint if you like the
traditional Italian style. No dissonance - so it is like the
better, majestic parts of Banco. Piano rules the day with
some organ and moog. The male vocalist is incredible, and
they add some female vocals as well that remind me of the
Italian band Apoteosi (I am random). One of the best themes
ever is in this song and is repeated for your enjoyment. Prog
doesn't get much better. Buy all their albums and you will
love them. Rating: 4.5 stars
Tempano: Uggh. Not a good start to Disc 3. I don't like
these guys at all, and believe me, I have tried. No melody,
dissonance, noise, and filler with repeated boring interludes.
Nothing that stands out except for very brief moments towards
the beginning and end - but otherwise this is .... not good.
The only track I skip. Rating: 2 stars
Minimum Vital: My first exposure to these guys. I am
impressed, but not blown away. Very good moog work in this
symphonic track. Odd vocals that never really come to the
forefront for some reason. They aren't bad necessarily, but
are often layered or subdued. An excellent theme in this song
that is repeated on the electric guitar (reminds me of the
way Flower Kings end a track with a majestic riff). Good mood
shifts in this track and some nice, melodic interludes. Rating:
3.5 stars
Aether: Another first for me - I had never even heard
of these guys. This is probably the most accessible track
- though it is by no means "radio-friendly". Floyd-inspired,
guitar driven symphonic prog. Vocals that are pleasant - though
not stellar. Typical string-like background keys and some
Gilmour-ish guitar solos propel you through this one. Nothing
really bad to say about this song - though nothing fantastic
to say either. Rating: 3 stars
Conclusion: This is worth getting for 3 amazing tracks:
Nexus, Glass Hammer, C.A.P. (over 70 minutes right there!);
3 very good tracks: Nathan Mahl, Nexus, Minimum Vital; and
2 pretty good ones: Aether and Simon Says. Any fan of epic,
symphonic prog should pick this up. You can get it From Greg
Walker or Kinesis for a fair price. You can't get any of these
tracks on any other release!
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