FABLE ON THE SEVEN PILLOWS

The fourth album by this Japanese group and often also seems to be considered their best one. Their music has some clear neo-progressive nuances but for the most part this band can be regarded highly symphonic. Often it is very classical as well due to the keyboard arrangements. The music is at times very bombastic and at times atmospheric with layered keyboards. The band has a female singer Megumi Tokuhisa. She is one of the most extraordinary of the many female singers in Japanese progressive groups. Her vocals sound even a bit childish to me at times but I guess this is even typical sometimes for the Japanese singers. I have no problem with it but her vocals are definitely an acquired taste. The leader of the group is Terutsugu Hirayama who is both the keyboardist and the guitarist in the band. It can be said that this group is his brainchild. He surely has composing talents and the arrangements are often excellent. I believe this group is sometimes referred as the Japanese Renaissance.

The best tracks from this album are "The Princess is Gone", "Goblin Hunt" and "Big Tree" in my opinion. It's hard to pick any weak tracks and probably because there isn't any. Maybe not quite as good as the likes of Pageant and Bellaphon from the same era but still excellent nonetheless.

Conclusion: Excellent symphonic!