NOSTRADAMUS BOOK OF PROPHECIES

This concept album came about after the band reformed to play a one off show at Progfest. It was so successful that they decided to record another album together, and this is the result. To many fans this last studio record of SOLARIS is their best. Unfortunately their original guitarist passed away before this recording, and in the liner notes the band says: "We all feel that old Czigi should be here. Among us." The music itself is mostly flute led with a fair amount of guitar, and the choirs are a nice touch.

The first song "Book Of Prophesies" is really broken down into a seamless three song epic lasting for 20 minutes. This one is my favourite. It opens with some brief dramatics before some gentle flute and light drums take over. Lots of atmosphere ends the first section. It continues into section two a 13 minute long piece. A male choir comes in a minute in and it's quite powerful. Guitar arrives before a great female vocal melody passage. This part is catchy, and the male choir is back. This is fantastic ! We get male and female vocals with some excellent guitar coming and going. The highlight of the third section is the guitar soloing so beautifully as the male choir sings. Nice. "The Duel" is ok but didn't impress me alot. I like the organ and flute. Some good bass lines 2 1/2 minutes in. Guitar and vocals to end it.

"The Lion's Empire" has some heaviness a minute in. Some good bass a minute later followed by a nice lazy guitar melody. Uptempo section 6 minutes in as flute ends it. "Wings Of The Phoenix" is led by the guitar and flute. Some tempo changes as well. "Ship Of Darkness" features some great sounding drums that are relentless. Guitar and flute trade off as some heaviness arrives before 4 minutes. A bass, drum and flute melody is good 5 minutes in. "Wargames" is probably their weakest track on this album as Franmuzak mentions in his review. I felt that there was an eighties feel to it at times. I like the female vocal melodies later on. "The Moment Of Truth" is made up of two songs. Sax opens the proceedings as a nice solid sound follows. The guitar is outstanding. An uplifting passage before 3 minutes. The male choir comes in as the first section ends with some beautiful guitar. The second section is quite pastoral with piano, gentle guitar and strings.

It's difficult not to give this symphonic album anything less than 4 stars. It's a beautiful album.