MACBETHIA

Undoubtfully the 80's was the most prolific period of Japanese Prog and one of the band's participating in the movement were Social Tension.Formed in the second half of the decade this power trio was led by keyboardist Nobuo Endoh and featured also bassist Masahiko Ota and drummer Suguru Iwasaki.Their debut LP ''Macbethia'' was released in 1989 on Made in Japan Records.

Drawing obvious influences from the ELP and RICK WAKEMAN style of playing, Social Tension delivered grandiose Symphonic Rock based on Classical interludes, keyboard solos and romantic themes.Being the strongest opponent against Italians NUOVA ERA, a band more or less playing in the same style around the time, Social Tension were at least equal talented.''Macbethia'' is an album full of driving organ sounds, dreamy minimoog passages but also plenty of technical sensibilities, all performed by the magic fingers of Endoh, who is strongly supported by the powerful performance of the rhythm section.The vocals are delivered both in Japanese and English and, at least to my ears, the lyrical arrangements sound rather decent compared to the hillarious voices met around the Japanese Prog scene.Next to the complicated themes and virtuosic parts Social Tension were clever enough to throw a few good melodies to soften things a bit.But the hottest point of the album is definitely the symphonic, bombastic and majestic passages full of Endoh's multiple keyboard work.

A very good album of Japanese Symphonic Rock in the vein of ARS NOVA and GERARD with tons of breaks and solos.Strongly recommended to fans of keyboard-based Progressive Rock...3.5 stars.