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Martigan - Vision CD (album) cover

VISION

Martigan

 

Neo-Prog

3.86 | 145 ratings

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Tarcisio Moura
Prog Reviewer
5 stars Martigan is one of those new bands that make keep the faith in this kind of music. Vision is their latest release and is surely a masterpiece of prog music. Iīve always thought that a good, original and powerful symphonic prog could be done without losing sight for the simple, sing a long tune and the great hook (think of classic Yes, Genesis and Renaissance). And Martigan does just that. Their music is intricated, the musicians are skillful and the arrangements are very elaborated. And still, Vision is melodic, accessible and catchy. What a feat!

The CD impressed me quite a bit. If their previous efford (Man Of The Moment) was already excellent, this one is simply brilliant. Vision sounds like a long, well crafted suite, every song merging with the other in a seemless tapestry of sounds. And yet, at almost 80 minutes, the album does not have a single boring moment. Their songwriting abilities are as good as their talent to play their instruments. Their inspiration seems to be endless. And itīs been such a long time Iīve seen such bunch of fine artists play for the band, with no apparent ego battles. Bass and drums swirl like they were born playing together, the keyboards are varied and tasteful, guitar plays short, but inspired, emotional solos and vocalist Kai Markwordt has a pleasant, dramatic, voice to match (a bit like Peter Gabrielīs, but not much).

Itīs hard to describe their sound: itīs all their own, yet familar. There are echoes of early Genesis, Pink Floyd, Yes, Saga, Moody Blues, Beatles and many others great ones, but so well developed into the Martigan way I canīt really pinpoint them. Itīs just great music. There are no highlights in this CD, since the music flows evenly, without a single bad moment or even a small filler. As I said before, you dontīt really notice when a song starts and the other finishes. For such a long record it always sound to me quite short in the end. The production also helps, top notch.

Vision needs some good few spins to fully appreciate their sound, but once you do, youīre hooked. Martigan is surely a band to keep na eye on. They succeed in something most groups try and fail: to make a kind of music that is appealling to many different audiences and still produce something unique. Warning: highly addictive!.

Tarcisio Moura | 5/5 |

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