ECHOES

I remember in my young music days, I use to pick up a new band to me in the music store just by reading the instruments they played,specially what kind of Keyboards they played, (somehow it work for me in the beggining) well I have growned from that, I think, I have my chared of disapoitments,you know, but I should say that Orpheo was not one of them, nice suprise, I got Echoes, the second album from them, a very freash one indeed, you can find anything that you look for in an album, nice Progrock, some classical sections, nice guitar rifs by Mr. Scholtz, super backing vocals over all a complete album I should say, I cant say that they play like this band or that one, One has to respect the effort and the fine quality on craftsmanship in creating a fine atmosphere,what I can say you will enjoy the ride, and one find ride you will get.

the first song "Ease Is Nowhere Near" is an excellent song to start an album, right away you'll find yourself in a Rock & Roll a Boogie type of song, but soon changes to a higher platform, one with nice classical arrangements, nice to start it with...sets the mood in fast land.....from then you'll see the sun up close, and travel accross the galaxie with the nice sections on "Remorse" a 14 minutes plus ride, the longest in Echoes, dont be suprise if you find your self moving youre head back and foward with this one......"Phoenix Down (Release Me)" will put you back to Earth wiith a soft melody that turn to the sun with its brief furious Rock scenes...... In "Night Time (Part 1 & 2)" you can apreciate the fine voice of Mr. Wendelin Wisser ...will in "Smoking with Sylvester" a nice rain sets the pace for a nice melody tha will soon explode like a Volcano...then came "Shame Culture" a nice starting acoustic section, with again nice arrengements....but its not over..then when you tought was al over came..."Outside In" this one will have you keep coming back for more...enjoy..I recommended!

Orpheo from Holland is a little known band in prog circles with one full length released so far named Echoes in 2005. Well, I like the album, this is like a metalized neo prog in sound, a combination of progressive metal with neo prog with slightly symphonic touches. Pieces are lenghty from the all 7, two are over 15 min, the rest are around 8 min. The song writting is quite mature for a debut album, the arrangements are tight and the keyboards and guitars are nice composed and quite intelligent. Pieces like Night Time or ending Outside in are good at best, like the rest. So, if you like bands like Splinter also from Holland, Ayreon at some point, even Dream Theater or those neo prog bands with prog metal infused passages. 3.5 stars for sure, a nice forgotten album, that desearves a far better view.