AWAKENING

MAGENTA bass player Matthew Cohen put this band together gradually adding the pieces until the lineup was complete. The most significant piece would seem to be Rachel Jones formerly of KARNATAKA, but she's one of three lead vocalists that share the duties.

"Awakening" is the best song on here. I like when it gets heavier. Male vocals before 1 1/2 minutes. A nice heavy undercurrent here. Rachel leads for a while too. The guitar lights it up before 5 minutes. "Chasing Rainbows" opens like a FLOYD track. Spoken words after a minute then it kicks in as vocals follow. It's a pretty good tune. "Playing The Game" is piano and vocal led and it's kind of poppy. "Aching Hunger" opens with the guitar crying out until it kicks in with female vocals after a minute. It's fairly heavy.

"Sacred Shape" has these female vocal melodies as acoustic guitar comes in. Male vocals too. It gets fuller with some good guitar. "Fallen Angels" opens with atmosphere then it kicks in with female and male vocals. It's okay. "Shadows Of The Mind" has an almost jazzy vibe to start then vocals come in and a heavier sound. It settles 3 minutes in with female vocals then picks back up. "Within Cold Glass" has some guest violin in it as sounds come and go. Piano leads 2 minutes in followed by female vocals. Some nice soaring guest guitar from Steve Rothery (MARILLION) too 3 1/2 minutes in. The second best song in my opinion.

Good album but the next one "Dark Angel" is better.