GALLERY

Unknown US band from Central Illinois, but definitely among the pioneers of the Prog revival in the USA, performing a more demanding style of music in a still dark period.The live performances indicate that Animator, aka Tim Brooks on lead vocals, Rik Ruzga on guitar, Jay Hawkins on bass, John Hawkins on drums and Stacey Kreici on keyboards, were active since the early-80's and their only effort was the obscure ''Gallery'' album from 1990, released on the unknown Rotamina Records.

Animator delivered a very ENCHANT-like Neo Prog with also references to compatriots NEPENTHE and CATHEDRAL, before these bands even existed or released anything.The sound remains grounded on the lighter side of Progressive Rock with strong RUSH influences throughout, based on the warm, sensitive and clear voice of vocalist Tim Brooks and the use of more spiritual lyrics.The music is melodic, mostly guitar-driven Progressive Rock with an epic atmosphere at moments produced by the clever use of synthesizers and the less used but elegant piano parts of Kreici .Rik Ruzga offers non-stop series of catchy guitar moves, the rhythm section is also very tight and the songs, though not particularly complicated, contain a fair amount of breaks.What does not sound quite good are the sometimes high-pitched vocals of Brooks and a certain similarity between the tracks' structure.

The band seems to have been alive since the early-90's.After Animator one or more members reputedly participated in a full-blown Prog concept of Starcastle's Gary Strater named Lush, which never officially released an album.

Good ENCHANT-like Melodic Prog with nice vocal harmonies and a very epic atmosphere at moments.Warmly recommended to all fans of the light side of Prog.