ENTERTAINING THANATOS

Less than three months had passed since Metaphor's ''Starfooted'' and Jim Post decided to call it quits, soon to be replaced by Jim Anderson.In 2001 the group started writing down material for a second work.Two tracks were ready, before Bob Koehler also decided to leave the group and the following year Metaphor recruited Jeff Baker as a guest drummer for the recordings of the remaining songs.Meanwhile the group established its own indendent label Trope Audio and their second album ''Entertaining Thanatos'' was eventually released in 2004.

Metaphor proove with this album to be among the finest modern US Prog bands, borrowing the inspiration of 70's legends and coming up with another nice work full of interesting tunes, refreshing melodies and lovely arrangements, offered mostly through long and elaborate compositions.Cross references with compatriots CRUCIBLE, ECHOLYN and ILUVATAR are reasonable, as Metaphor's music has a strong GENESIS and MARILLION feeling throughout, always delivered with a personal touch.The pieces evolve from smooth, lyrical textures to emphatic, symphonic passages, characterized by excellent keyboard parts and great guitar work.The lush orchestrations are definitely satysfying, the vocal parts are pretty sensitive and the changing themes on organs, Mellotrons and synthesizers keep the listener's interest in a certain deegree.Their songs contain some light, poppy sensibilities akin to SPOCK'S BEARD, but the musicianship is absolutely great, highlighted by the very good 17-min. long ''Yes and No'', a fine example of melodic, emotional yet intricate and serious Progressive Rock with tons of shifting moods, dramatic lyrical moves and technical performances.

A trully consistent group with nice instrumental ideas and a decent level of songwriting.''Entertaining Thanatos'' is a very good effort of tight Progressive Rock along the lines of the classic 70's groups, offered through a modern and fresh sound.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.