CHESSBOARD

What a fruitful, dramatic creation. "Chessboard" was released as the third album by a Brazilian symphonic progressive act TEMPUS FUGIT. It would have been natural that they shifted their soundscape toward kind of IQ / Marillion-y neo- progressive trend in this opus (especially the first shot "Pontos de Fuga") but at the same time we are glad to find they strongly kept their personal symphonic activity in the depth of every single song.

"Pontos de Fuga Part 2", one of my favourite songs, involves fascinating melody lines flavoured with excessive great guitar cryings and sharp-edged keyboard performances. Based upon their superb strict rhythmic turf, complicated sound collective can be digested smoothly. Feel their power in the whole world. "Unfair World" is another calmness. We can listen to this song safe and sound due to their instrumental technique and precision, accuracy (maybe plus melodic popness and catchiness). Regardless of the song's development, their sound totality cannot be twisted nor frayed. It's fantastic.

Also in the following track "Only To Be With You", the keyboard playings tighten and colour the song. Beautiful keyboard solos definitely ring our inner bells. Another mystery is that their tight sounds can be neither depressive nor negative but delightful and passionate. After a dreamy fantasy "The Princess", the masterpiece eponymously titled gets started with impressive keyboard works and enthusiastic rhythmic constructions. Guitar sounds are also solid and unwavering. Colourful sound images by all instruments are deployed, without any awkwardness. The last run "The Leaving" sounds slightly simpler and flatter than other ones but hey, it would be kind of a strategy to relieve us I imagine?

Entirely encouraging! They've released some singles via their YouTube channel. Looking forward to their upcoming album.