VIRTUAL SUN

Oh, my goodness! Isn't there any review of this album? Since Albert Letecheur has pat away that I had came to know from Machiavel's web site, I've been so depresed. As you guyys knows, they are no longer- so called progressive artist. But the music is still so brilliant as well.

"Virtual Sun" is somewhat sad and sentimetnal. I honestly felt this album should go next to "Machiavel" , in other words it had suppossed to go after the debut album "MACIAVEL", just in the order if you conider the concept. Wonderful music with fragile emotional feelings.

The contained music in this cd is so great an no one to argue. (At least I hope) Of course there will be disagreement. Personallly, I have thought of the album like 'Nirvirna" and "Led Zepplin". after listening two times of listening this album.

I hope this review will be a little and tinty information for whom loves "Maciavel". Their music is so great as you know.

If you like bands like Marillion for example then this might be something that you will find interesting. There is however a bit more to this music, I would personally describe it as progressive rock where the emphasis is clearly on the rock part, although the more "progressive" sound is never very far away and often clearly heard. The sound is at times quite dark and heavy, with slightly distorted vocals and guitars. Overall it is slightly reminiscent of some of todays rock-bands who emerged from the underground and indie scene. But even at its roughest it still maintains a clarity and delicacy to it. The musicians are all of the highest standard and capable of providing the instrumental variation needed to pull off an album like this, also the production is very good. In addition Mario Gucci's voice has to be one of the best around. He is certainly one of my favourite singers in this genre. If you want good and varied rock music with a progressive twist to it, then you should definitely give this one a try.

After a disastrous album which closed their first part of their career ("Break Out"), the band released a come back some six years later with another disastrous one "The Cry Of Pleasure" (1987).

This time, the line up has changed again. Marc Ysaye, a founding member joined his old "Machiavel" friends (Roland - another founding member - as well as Mario - who is doing the vocals since "Jester" in 77).

The band was keyboard less since the average "New Lines" and for this album, Hervé Borbé (ex- Now which was a good Belgian prog band of the late eighties/ early nineties) has joined. He is a very talented artist (painter and designer as well). He is still with the band today (2008).

"Machiavel" is somewhat similar to a chameleon, adapting itself according the mood of the moment. This time, the atmosphere is dramatically more on the hard edge (but this was already noticeable on "New Lines").

IMO, the best here are the vocals. Mario is doing an excellent work all the way through. Emotional during the good crescendo "Something" (one of my fave from this album).

On the soft side, the pleasant ballad "It's A Dream Again" features some interesting guitar work from Thierry (also the case in the previous song BTW). While Mario shows all his power during the heavy "Down On My Knees" (still played frequently during their live sets). Extremely far from "Mechanical Moonbeams" but interesting.

One understands why the band changed from vocalist after their first album. One can hear Marc Ysaye holding back the vocals during "Dirty Hands" and "Mary's Dream". Definitely not the best of this album. Nor the syrupy "All Around The World". Press nextT.

Actually, the best moments are the most rocking ones. In this respect, "The Rumour" is seriously wild and rhythmic. Thierry is displaying some excellent guitar again. I like the sharp riff very much, and for almost the first time one can finally Hervé in a good synth part. Another one of the good songs from this album.

Another interesting one is "Forget Your Hate". Excellent rhythm changes, groovy mood and pleasant melody. At the end of the day, this album has some very pleasant moments and is definitely the best "Machiavel" album since ages (1979).

The long and closing "Running in the Desert Again" being now a typical "Machiavel" number. Somewhat Led Zep (but is this a surprise?) oriented, with a great Mario doing really a superb job on this album.

Three stars (upgraded from a five out of ten).