LE MASQUE D'ARLEQUIN

Whitechapel from France didn't get a very much attention when the debut album Le masque D' arlequin was released almost 10 years ago in 2006, sadly because this album kick ass from start to finish. Sung in french , this heavy prog album has everything to be a solid, tight and intresting release in this subgenre. The music is as on many french prog bands, quite theatrical with hints of Ange (glorious years) and heavy prog most of the time. There are some truly great duels between guitars and keyboards like on Au Nom Du Pèr or Le Masque D'Arlequin, the rest are also intresting at best. Unfairly unnoticed album , even in french scene, this Whitechapel demosnstrated with this album that they mean bussines. Heavy prog as must sound this style. Similar with italians from Graal, Votchi from Czech republic, Nemo from France and few more. 4 stars easy and recommended, quirky and well composed heavy prog. Available at Musea records.

Neo-prog? No, I agree with the other reviewer that White Chapel their music belongs in the Heavy Prog category. So when Heavy Progheads are scrutinizing PA for their favourite music at this moment, they will miss White Chapel, and Neo-Progheads will feel disappointed.

The sound from this French five piece on their debut CD (from 2006) entitled Le Masque D'Arlequin reminds me of the 'Vikings' of Swedish rockband Europe: fluent rhythms featuring propulsive guitar riffs, a heavy rhythm-section and sumptuous keyboard layers, with lots of room for biting guitar runs and flashy synthesizer flights. But White Chapel has a less polished and more adventurous approach than Europe. The vocals are in French, I am not surprised that the booklet mentions Christian Dechamps, singer of the legendary French progrock band Ange. Between the mainly fluent, heavy and bombastic inspired tracks, we can also trace some mellow songs: the dreamy Elixer and the compelling Sarajevo (about the former Yugoslavia), you can feel the emotion about the sad history in the howling runs!

To me White Chapel sounds very pleasant, it was a good start but unfortunately still no signs of life from this promising French band.

My rating: 3 stars.