SNOWTORCH

Phideaux hasn't lost his sense of mystery throughout Snowtorch, and he hasn't lost his sense of melody. Boy oh boy, are we for a treat this time! I was one of the few lucky to receive a demo by Phideaux himself, and I tooked my time before writing a review, give it the attention it deserves.

After the End of the World, now the Birth of Life, the Source of all Reason. A fun concept, full of the quirky lines by Xavier's pen ( ''...Let's meet at the grave of the wax figurines...'') and with the same quality of the other records. Even better? Perhaps. It's a short album, the band has chose quality over quantity this time. With longer albums, the chance of baloney get higher and God knows how many albums are way too long (everything by Beardfish or Astra's album for instance). A modest 45 minutes (which is almost an EP in the modern prog world) with no filling, never a dull moment, not a weak track.

Snowtorch is more piano/ vintage keys oriented, with less guitars but more flute and cello. It's the HUGE palette of keyboards that had me: colorful variety that reminded me the great years of Kerry Minnear (Gentle Giant), ELP and many acts of the 70's Italian scene( like Balletto di Bronzo). I love the fact that the band is not bending over by being du jour with a Riverside ,or Marillion approach, we have way too much of those these days. No, I almost felt the ghost of Solaris' Martian Chronicles at times! Yes, it's a rare thing these days, and it's a new hope for the ones who are not into Post Metal (ouch my ears) and who longs for an album without growling.

What to say? Phideaux and his band delivered a masterpiece; (again! can you believe it?!)this band has more epic records in 5 years than many bands over their career. He's spoiling us again: long, lushious instrumental parts with countless hooks that makes you think: ''Is this guy's gonna run out of ideas one day?''

Phideaux at the top of his art, not a black cloud in sight.

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