EARTHLY PARADISE

The first time I heard this record I have to admit I was taken aback by the high pitched female vocals, they really caught me off guard. After a few listens though they actually grew on me to the point I feel they fit the music perfectly.This is mostly instrumental anyway. EPIDAURUS were a German band who came on the Prog scene a little late, releasing this album in 1977. Regardless of their timing they recall the great symphonic bands of the early seventies. Those vintage keyboards (especially the mellotron) make this a joy to listen to.This release is a mellotron monster, with two keyboardists and both of them playing mellotron and Hammond organ. And hey they're on the "Garden Of Delights" label, what more could you want ?

I really like the first song "Action And Reaction" a mellotron laden, keyboard led beauty. The drumming is very prominant as well. Mellotron, drums and synths lead early. You can hear Christiane come in with vocal melodies before 2 1/2 minutes then Hammond follows before she starts to sing after 3 minutes. Nice. Gorgeous track. "Silas Marner" opens with spacey winds before the 12 string acoustic guitar joins in then flute-like sounds. Synths and drums before 2 minutes, mellotron follows.The song does speed up as vocals and drums arrive 3 minutes in. It settles again after 5 minutes as the 12 string returns with mellotron and spacey winds.There's that flute again. Beautiful.

"Wings Of The Dove" is another favourite of mine.There is some good keyboard and drum interplay in this uptempo intro.This is an instrumental that will also boast mellotron, synths and electric piano before it's over. "Andas" opens with piano before it kicks into a higher gear. An uptempo instrumental with some nice bass and better mellotron floods. And the final song "Mitternachtstraum" is a page right out of TANGERINE DREAM. Check out the moog ! If I didn't know better i'd think it was them.

I really feel this album is a unique piece of work, with the vocals (on two tracks) and the beautiful waves of mellotron standing out. It is essential for all progheads to experience EPIDAURUS. An absolutely gorgeous album.