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TALES FROM A FORGOTTEN WORLD

Tempus Fugit

Symphonic Prog


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Tempus Fugit Tales from a Forgotten World album cover
3.77 | 86 ratings | 15 reviews | 33% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
prog rock music collection

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Studio Album, released in 1997

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Prologue (4:38)
2. The City and the Crystal (7:05)
3. The Goblin's Trail (7:18)
4. War God (6:12)
5. Bornera (10:37)
6. A Song for a Distant Land (7:02)
7. Princesa Vanessa (6:07)
8. The Lord of a Thousand Tales (11:43)

Total Time 60:42

Bonus tracks on 2007 remaster:
9. Princesa Vanessa (demo version '93) (6:26)
10. The Goblins' Trail (demo version '93) (6:29)

Line-up / Musicians

- André Mello / lead & backing vocals, keyboards
- Henrique Simões / electric & acoustic guitars, ukulele, mandolin, backing vocals
- Bernard / bass, narration, backing vocals
- Ary Moura / drums, electronic percussion

With:
- Ronaldo Cruz / bass, ukulele & mandolin (9,10)
- Márcio De Almeida / drums (9,10)

Releases information

Artwork: Bernard

CD PC Melody Records ‎- 199.002.548 (1997, Brazil)
CD Masque Records - MRCD0406 (2007, Brazil) Remastered by Luiz Tornaghi with 2 bonus tracks

Thanks to ProgLucky for the addition
and to projeKct for the last updates
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TEMPUS FUGIT Tales from a Forgotten World ratings distribution


3.77
(86 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(33%)
33%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(45%)
45%
Good, but non-essential (15%)
15%
Collectors/fans only (6%)
6%
Poor. Only for completionists (1%)
1%

TEMPUS FUGIT Tales from a Forgotten World reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Greger
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars TEMPUS FUGIT's now two years old concept album has many strong moments. Their compositions are very strong. The album is very keyboard dominated with many instrumental passages and nice guitar playing. The only thing that keeps this album from getting the highest rating is the lack of originality, but after all there aren't that many symphonic and progressive bands today that has their own sound and trademarks. It's easy to find reminiscences to other bands on this album, there are bits and pieces that reminds of CAMEL, CAST, GENESIS, GLASS HAMMER, IQ, MARILLION, PENDRAGON and YES. The album cover is very nice and it looks quite expensive with a foldout booklet with the lyrics and very beautiful illustrations made by the bass player Bernard. All in all this is a very strong debut from this Brazilian band, and I hope they'll get the chance to release many albums in the future. Very Good.
Review by hdfisch
PROG REVIEWER
2 stars Well, the typical synths-dominated music in the vein of OLDFIELD,KITARO,GANDALF and the alikes. Really nothing special unless you love plastic sounding digital keyboards and awful drum machine. It's the only record from this band I've listened to so far, but I'm quite sure there are much better brazilian bands in this sub-genre, which I'm adoring normally, but not if the music sounds like this. It's more or less quite nice ambient music, but nothing I can't get fascinated about.Not worth more than 2 stars!
Review by Gatot
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
3 stars Judging from the band's name, I thought the band would play a music in the vein of YES as one song under "Drama" album is titled as "Tempus Fugit". It's not really the case when I listened to the CD sometime dated back 1998. I think the band music is a blend of CAMEL, OZRIC TENTACLES, and neo prog styles like MARILLION or ARENA with a much ambient and spacey in styles. I enjoy listening to this album as it has many musical passages that explores either keyboard and guitar.

Enjoying this album is like having a journey of self contemplation. Yes, this kind of music is probably best suited for those who want to contemplate or self reflection. I imagine that it can be used as background during motivational workshops or the kind of that. Musically, the tracks are composed in a good arrangement and songwriting. It begins with Prologue (4:38) that contains some male narration at the opening part and heavy use of keyboard sound with spacey nuance. The music is floating with some inventive keyboard work in relatively slow tempo. The guitar solo inserts nicely and brings the song melody.

It flows naturally and smoothly to next track The City and The Crystal (7:05) where some classical piano touch is combined nicely with good guitar fills and guitar solo. The middle part explores the space nature of the music combined with piano touch at background augmented with smooth guitar play. It continues with almost the same style of music to The Goblin's Trail (7:18) but there is some touch of symphonic nuance presented here. This track has a touchy melody during opening part with some classical outfit. André Mello's keyboard style is somewhat similar to Clive Nolan of Arena / Pendragon.

War God (6:12) starts off with exploration of guitar work with symphonic nuance produced by keyboard sounds. Guitar fills that follow remind me to Marillion style. Bornera (10:37) brings the music into more uplifting mode with a combination of keyboard and guitar work maintaining the floating style. A Song For a Distant Land (7:02) has some flavor of jazz influence as well as classical music. While most tracks of this album are instrumental music, this one offers vocal line in mellow style reminiscent of CAMEL or PENDRAGOn or PALLAS. Princesa Vanessa (6:07) explores some acoustic guitar work combined with keyboard and piano with jazzy nuance followed with spacey style. The concluding track The Lord of a Thousand Tales (11:43) features vocal line of Andre Mello in a mellow style and spacey nuance.

Overall, it's a good album with good composition: arrangement and songwriting. If we listen to the album for three to four tracks it's a kind of joy. But more than four tracks is gonna be boring as there are not much variations in terms of styles and tempo. All tracks seem like the same, even though they are different. For those who love space music combined with neo prog, this album might be rewarding. Keep on proggin' ..!

Progressively yours,

GW

Review by ZowieZiggy
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars This is a very much underrated band. Of course, coming out from Brazil, they have very little exposure in the rock industry and they are rather confidential on PA. And it is a damned shame.

This is probably one of the most symphonic band featured on this site. This album is full of gorgeous synthetizers (get an ear to the fabulous "Prologue"). The music played often reaches the sublime like during "The City And The Crystal". So sweet a combination of soft electric guitar, gentle keyboards and good off-beat rhythms. Vocals are really peaceful. They remind me "Ramses" of the early days. I am transported into such a peaceful state of mind while I listen to this band (not only this album).

Of course, some might argue that it is maybe too much an accumulation of the same type of music but I believe that at times, it is rather pleasant to make a symphonic and beautiful break. Without looking too much into absolute creativity, intricate lyrics, lots of rhythm changes. Because you won't get it here. Still the finale of "The Goblin's Trail" is truely phenomenal. Yes Sir.

If, like me, you like beautiful and mostly instrumental music, you can only fall in love with "War God". Nothing to do with a warrior type of track. It features emotional guitar work and powerful synths again. The next songs absolutely holds the same characteristics. The longest track of this very good album "Bornera" is another prog jewel. A special for the guitar break but those keys are just outstanding. It will of course remind you of "Genesis". But who would complain ? This band has nothing to do with neo-prog (which genre I like pretty much by the way).

"Princesa Vanessa" features such a great acoustic guitar acompanied with aerial keys. A bit repetitive maybe. It is an almost classic track. But it flows so sweetly...

The epic of this album is their closing "The Lord Of A Thousand Tales". These peaceful vocals might sound a bit uniform but they are fully in-line with the music. It is also a more complex song with a more up-beat flavour. Another symphonic jewel. What else can I say ?

As each of their album (only three in total unfortunately of which a live one), it is such a pleasant symphonic moment. At times, it might sound as "ELP" (over-invading keys for some people). But this band surely deserves more attention. You might need to be in the mood for not too complex and accessible music. Because this is exactly what you will get. For me, it was love at first sight. But I am found of melodies, passion, beauty and probably of the Latin character.

Keyboards lovers, watch out ! This album should pleases you a lot. If, incidentally "Yes" and "Genesis" belong to your favourites the recommendation is even higher. At least I feel so. Four stars.

Review by apps79
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Belonging to a late-80's/early-90's Brazilian movement of soft symphonic rock bands,TEMPUS FUGIT are on the road in a way or another since 1989.However,it was severe line-up changes,which didn't help the band to release a full-length album,until in 1996 ''Tales from a forgotten world'' sees the light.A rather long album for the time,''Tales...'' is a concept fantasy work dominated by the superb melodies and the beautiful ''synth-scapes''.Although influences are many,a modern instrumental GENESIS version and a melodic side of CAMEL would be an appropriate description.Add to this rock sound-version heavy doses of synths,but not in a bombastic way,rather synthesizers are used as a background electronic-like instrument to create unique atmospheres and emotions...and TEMPUS FUGIT have done it very well,I must admit.Overall,''Tales...'' is a relaxing release with only sporadic,almost spoken vocals and tons of inspired instrumental symphonic-like music for the salvation of every ''angry'' soul out there.Strongly recommended!
Review by Tarcisio Moura
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars Awesome debut release from this obscure prog band from Brazil. So obscure that I had to read about them in PA to find they´re from my country. But it was all worth it. The music is BEAUTIFUL! Great instrumental passages that reminds of early Camel, Genesis and Yes. Fine keyboards and guitar works (both on the acoustic and the electric instruments). Bass player is also very good and the drummer is not very far behind. Those guys do have the chops but they´re really playing for the music intead of competing for the sportlight. A truly prog grup in which the the final work is bigger than the sum of its parts.

Sometimes the music reaches the divine, like in Goblin´s Trail. The only weak spot I found are the vocals. Not that Andre Mello´s voice is bad, it is only not par to the fantastic music they deliver. Either they decide to become a full instrumental band (for which they are talented enough) or get a real singer to enhance their sound once and for all (even if it´s a guest vocal). Fortunatly for this CD few songs have lyrics. Production is also very good.

Tales From a Fogotten World is a stunning debut that deserved better atention than it was given at the time. If you´re into melodic progressive music (mostly instrumental) of those aforementioned bands, you can´t miss this one. 4 solid stars. Highly recommended!

Review by Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars I was a little surprised to see this band listed under Symphonic as I thought this was a Neo-Prog recording. I like Neo a lot so that's not a slight, it's just the synths and guitar styles reminded me of that genre. Regardless, this is good music. I so want to give this 4 stars but I really feel there are a few songs that are very average at best, and lots of passages that drag on. It's just that the good ones are really good. Synths are the dominating sound.

"Prologue" opens with synths as some narration comes in. When he stops speaking a second synth comes in followed by drums and guitar. Great sound. "The City And The Crystal" is my favourite track. Lots of synths once again for the first minute then a change as drums, piano and guitar come in. A calm with piano and synths after 2 minutes. Love the guitar 3 1/2 minutes in. Vocals for the first time 5 1/2 minutes in.The guitar and piano sound so good. A feel good tune for me. "The Goblin's Trail" is led by synths. Drums before 2 minutes and guitar a minute later. Acoustic guitar before 4 minutes. The tempo picks up after 5 1/2 minutes. "War God" has a lot of changes going on until 1 1/2 minutes in when it settles. A change 3 minutes in as drums then guitar become prominant. Piano, guitar and synths seem to take turns the rest of the way.

"Bornera" opens with psychedelic styled guitar before the tempo picks up and synths take over. Guitar then a heavier sound before 4 minutes. A calm 5 1/2 minutes in as spoken words arrive. A minute later synths, bass, drums and guitar tastefully play. "A Song For A Distant Land" opens with light keys as vocals come in. The sound gets fuller and a second vocalist enters. This is the most vocal track and my least favourite. "Princess Vanessa" continues with the contrast of the calm passages to the fuller sections. Mandolin 3 1/2 minutes in on this one. "The Lord Of A Thousand Tales" is mellow with vocals for almost 2 minutes then a fuller sound takes over. Some relaxed guitar 4 minutes that I like. It calms down 6 minutes in then picks back up 8 minutes in.

This is very pleasant synth led music from Brazil, that should appeal to those who like their Prog mellow.

Review by kenethlevine
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Prog-Folk Team
4 stars This modern symphonic group prioritizes the melodic and gentle side of the sub genre. Although from Brazil, TEMPUS FUGIT is so infused with the British masters and apprentices that the Latin influences are indeed subtle if present. Their debut is not "challenging" in any sense, but is wistful and ultimately happy, with plenty of smooth shifts of mood and instrumentation, primarily synthesizers offset with other keys, and electric and acoustic guitars. Vocals are rare, appearing in less than half the tracks, but the music is colourful and indeed lyrical enough to carry the fantastical, if vague, themes.

For reference, apart from the big symphonic names, I hear ELOY, particularly the luscious "Planets" era in "Bornera"; the Bahrain group OSIRIS for the extended but controlled jams; RENAISSANCE in the piano rolls of "The City and the Crystal"; and even neo prog a la PENDRAGON on the more vocal oriented pieces like "Song for a Distant Land". TEMPUS FUGIT also reminds me of a less manic and more instrumentally oriented version of the Mexican group CAST.

It's hard to pick out high points and even harder to underline any weaknesses other than perhaps a general lack of distinctiveness, but the material is so uniformly strong that I have to give it a thumbs up, and "The Goblin's Trail" and "Princess Vanessa" can be lapped up eagerly by any sentimental old fool who wants the old style with modern production. "The Lord of a Thousand Tales" amply fills the role of symphonic epic, with something for everyone and everything for more than a few.

If you have read this far and don't have this album, time is flying so why not set aside some for these tales before they really are forgotten.

Review by Warthur
PROG REVIEWER
5 stars The debut album by Tempus Fugit is a compelling neo-prog piece which combines graceful vocal sections (which remind me a great deal of 1990s Pendragon - there's the same gentle melodicism you can hear on the classic The Window of Life at work here) with extremely extensive and varied instrumental passages which combine the best of Genesis and early IQ, and here and there add in a flavour of traditional Brazilian music (see, for instance, the acoustic guitar section on The Lord of a Thousand Tales) to allow Tempus Fugit to put their own distinctive stamp on proceedings.

True, none of this sounds particularly original, though Fugit's performances take this album to the next level - as with the best works of their influences, this is the sort of music which feels like it is taking you on a journey, and which is it a sheer pleasure to just put on whilst you sit back, close your eyes, and let your imagination run riot. Yes, it's a rather derivative style of prog which tends towards adhering to a formula. But in this case, Tempus Fugit have hit on a formula for turning base neo-prog into gold.

Latest members reviews

3 stars Great debut album from these symphonic progsters from Brazil. When the album start like a tribute to Eloy........ you know you are in for a ride. In particular when the band is named after a Yes song. And just let me sort this out once and for all. This album is by no means a Yes tribute albu ... (read more)

Report this review (#280379) | Posted by toroddfuglesteg | Monday, May 3, 2010 | Review Permanlink

4 stars Very good album from this brazilian band. Good songs like " The city and the crystal", "The lord of a thousand tales" and "The goblin´s trail". If You like ELOY, Wakeman, Anyone´s Daughter, Genesis and even Supertramp, this band is a good choice for You. ... (read more)

Report this review (#64837) | Posted by | Sunday, January 15, 2006 | Review Permanlink

4 stars First of all, I'm neither a musician nor gifted with any musical skill. So I have to describe my impressions in a different way. I expected to hear samba like symphonic prog, but no, it turned out to be fine melodic music, in line with Camel, if you really want to have something to compare wi ... (read more)

Report this review (#57335) | Posted by Hermanes | Monday, November 21, 2005 | Review Permanlink

4 stars This album is really,really good. The songs are very strong and melodic. The keyboards like Arp pro soloist (genesis),Roland Sh 2, Korg Polysix are not digitals.Hear for yourself!!! This is a young band from brazil. Is one of the best i know. Eloy,Wakeman,Genesis, Yes, Anyone´s daughter are in ... (read more)

Report this review (#7219) | Posted by | Monday, April 18, 2005 | Review Permanlink

3 stars Good band. Amazing keyboards, good instruments, good vocals. Meanwhile, the drums can be acustic... The eletronic drums are poor and waste the music, sometimes. The lyrics aren't in portuguese, and this shows few criatiity or few knowledge of our lenguage. (Deixem para os ingleses comporem em ... (read more)

Report this review (#7216) | Posted by | Saturday, August 7, 2004 | Review Permanlink

4 stars The songs are very melodic and strong at the same time. The image from the cover is very good, too. I really love "A Song From a Distant Land" and "The Goblin´s Trail". I hear the second album from this ban and is very good album too, very inspired. The is called "The Dawn After the Storm". ... (read more)

Report this review (#7215) | Posted by | Saturday, April 24, 2004 | Review Permanlink

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