THE WINGS OF REVELATION II

Janos Varga has added a full time bass player to the band(Peter Hary) who plays chapman stick on 3 tracks as well. Like their debut this one has a lot of variety, and the synth / keyboard work is on every track but one. The one difference from the debut is that the guitar has taken a bigger role. I have to hand it to Janos for offering up so many guitar styles and tones once again, and the synths really do make this and the previous record sound better.

"Freedom" has a great beat as the guitar breaks in and out throughout. There is a heaviness to this one that comes and goes. Janos really rips it up,especially after 5 1/2 minutes to the end of the song. "Shadows And Lights" is the longest track and it's title is significant. There are several different guitar styles used by Varga, from the beautiful, gentle guitar to open, to the almost soaring melodies that follow,to the fast paced intricate melodies after that, to raw sounding 4 minutes in, to pure shredding 7 1/2 minutes in. In between we are treated with some beautiful keyboard and synth work that joins it all together. Just an amzing track. "The Released Spirit" opens with an uptempo guitar and drum melody. Synths join in around 1 1/2 minutes. The guitar and synths trade solos 3 minutes in. Great sound 4 1/2 minutes in as atmospheric guitar soars while the odd-metered drumming is all over the place. "The Power Of Love" is a laid back,melancholic tune with piano and bass, while the guitar slowly grinds away. Synths and drums 1 1/2 minutes in as the guitar gets louder and soars. Nice song.

"With Heart And Soul" is a mid-paced tune with heavy guitar and drums. Synth melodies 2 minutes in replace guitar briefly. This song reminds me of Satriani until after 4 minutes when it becomes Floyd-like spacey with crying guitar. Nice. Back to original melody 6 minutes in. "Our Long Dance" opens with acoustic guitar with keys coming in. Light drums are added before synths take over 2 minutes in. Guitar then comes soaring in while drums pound. It ends with acoustic guitar like it began. "Islands" features percussion and synths that provide a mid-paced, catchy rhythm. Guitar 2 minutes in. "Momento(a)" is all about the solo, intricate guitar melodies. "Momento(b)" opens with some darkness and a haunting atmosphere as the guitar melodies have stopped. Some really good chapman stick lines are joined by drums then atmospheric guitar 2 minutes in. The song does brighten somewhat 5 minutes in. Very cool track. "Candles" opens with gentle guitar with background synths.The guitar starts to soar but it's restrained, almost sad.

Another solid 4 star record from these Hungarian masters. Tough to pick one over the other though. I'd just get them both and let the music carry you away.

Serious guitar slinging to be found here.

Firstly, don't let his long beard mislead you. He is not a ZZ TOP tribute artist, but he may ride a Harley. Well, I don't know really, but if he does, well, good on him!

Also, his surname is VARGA, Janos is Hungarian for John, therefore I'd expect to find him listed under "V", not "J" as currently is the case.

For those who are new to the game, VARGA was a founding member of the legendary Hungarian band EAST, who sadly, didn't get to record until they were compelled to compromise. They were inspired by SBB and practically Hungary's answer to that excellent Polish band. Still, a couple of their albums "Huseg" (translates as Loyalty) and "Sodom" contain elements of their better days in the '70s.

VARGA came back with his solo projects and the first one "Wings Of Revelation" is an absolute must have. This Part II of the same title is somewhat different. Probably due to a new and less adventurous keyboard player. This work has more to do with JOE SATRIANI than SBB influences.

Great guitar work throughout and I enjoy it very much from beginning to end, but whilst the album is definitely Prog, it's undoubtedly stretching the boundaries to excellent instrumental Rock.

This Part II deserves a solid 4 plus, but remains a poor cousin to Part I in comparison.

Interestingly, over the years VARGA has become a prominent leader whilst his former peer Anthymos Apostolis (guitar) of SBB has taken a back seat, mellowed out and fooling with keyboards and drums - something he should have kept private. Times are a changin'...