LEPIDOPTERA

RAK are a Swiss band who are listed here as Symphonic but there is also a Neo-Prog flavour to their music that can't be ignored. I must admit as a reviewer who does so track by track it's always disappointing to see albums with 20 songs on it like this one (haha). At least many of them blend into one another.Themes are repeated as well throughout this 2004 release. And no I didn't know that girls grew on trees.

"To The Refuge" is led by keyboards and drums early and it's fairly heavy until 2 minutes in when the vocals arrive and it settles down.The tempo will continue to shift on this one. A good start. "Metamorphosis:One" is not nearly as good as the opener but it's okay. "Metamorphosis:Two" features almost spoken vocals as synths,organ and drums help out. "Coming To Terms" picks up as the organ joins in followed by vocals then guitar part way through. "Lepidoptera:Freefall" is a short piece that picks up speed as it goes. "Lepidoptera:Beast" is fairly heavy while "Lepidoptera:Savage" opens with keys before a heavy sound including drums kicks in.

"Dreams Like These" opens with piano then synths and violin come in before a minute.Vocals before 2 1/2 minutes. "The Consequences" opens with the synths swirling as heavy drums join in.Vocals after a minute. "Metamorphosis:Three" opens with piano and cymbals then guitar joins in. "Those Bright Wings" opens with piano before vocals and a beat join in. "Last Words" is fairly laid back with vocals then tasteful guitar and floating organ comes in. "Requiem" continues with the floating organ while female vocal melodies join in.This is good. Piano, vocals and drums before a minute. "Flashback" has some energy with organ and vocals. "Bumblebee Chase" is mellow with piano. "Play Possum" continues with the piano melodies. "Preperation" continues with piano still. "Departure" has these drums, piano and synths that standout. Organ too then vocals arrive after a minute as it settles down. "Migration" opens with piano then vocals. It gets fuller and more passionate. Some nice guitar too. "Release" features piano, organ, vocals and a beat. A calm before 2 1/2 minutes as piano only plays to the end.

A pretty good album overall but it fails to capture my imagination. If your into concept albums and melodic music you might want to check this out.