LES VOYAGES DE MIKADO

Being both lovers of 70's progressive rock,high-school friends Frederick Przybyl and Eric Tillerot formed MAGNESIS in 1987.Drawing influences from YES,GENESIS,ANGE but also IQ and MARILLION,they toured in the region Burgundy, performing live with shows characterized by changing costumes and extreme make-ups.Their first full-length release came out in 1992 entitled ''Le voyages de Mikado'', recorded at Verguet Studio in Dijon and based on a story written by Przybyla, unfolding in France of 14th century about a figure called Mikado.

The album follows a rather soft symphonic rock style with many intense vocal parts and tons of atmospheric keyboards.Though Przybyla wrote most of the album's material,he is not participating in the album,where keyboardist/singer Eric Tillerot is surrounded by a team of four musicians on vocal parts/drums/bass/guitars. Combining succesfully elements of symphonic/art rock,neo progressive rock and light folk/medieval music (check the fine flute parts), MAGNESIS achieved to deliver a pleasant and atmospheric release with theatrical aspect,where changing roles and obscure vocal chords dominate the concept,obviously inspired by ANGE's music. However the keyboard work of Tillerot is noteable for his emotional delivering and deep atmospheric passages,using mostly modern keyboards,except a few classical organ parts.Guitarist Olivier Vaysse performs strongly as well with many good solos and soaring guitars in the vein of MARILLION and PINK GLOYD.The story flows nice and easy and anyone into French language should get into the release even easier.This is very strong and satisfying progressive rock for both fans of its symphonic and neo genre. Recommended.