REMINISCENCE

French undrground prog band from the 80's.Phaesis was found in 1982 in the small village of Stenay, Lorraine by keyboardist Patrick Parmentier,singer Gérard Petit and guitarist Dominique Vassart.From 1983 and on the band starts slowly to build their fame with occasional concerts.A couple of line-up changes (Petit and bassist Daniel Collet were gone,bassist/vocalist Eric Herbillion replaced them)will not prevent them on their way to recording their debut ''Reminiscence'' in 1989.This was released both as a private press LP and on CD format by Musea Records.

The spacey ''Intrusion + Fly Away'' is a nice introduction to Phaesis' sound.Spacey symphonic synths under slow drumming and guitar solos on ''Intrusion'' will lead to the vocal-based neo prog cut of ''Fly away'' with the grandiose MARILLION-esque finale.The next three-part 10 min. short epic will open with the guitar-driven ''Paradoxe'',which will lead to the ethereal and melodic ''Reminiscence'' and close with the intense PINK FLOYD-ian ''Human''.''Radiance'' follows the same path,full of spacey synth passages and slow guitars before the fiery soloing towards the end.''You'' is the weakest track by far,it is in a Psychedelic/Space Rock style with down-tempo work on guitars,almost a PINK FLOYD-rip off,but the vocals are really dreadful,becoming unbearable with every listen.Fortunately the closing ''Aurore + Final Flight'' will get things back in shape.Fine start on a rhythmic neo prog journey with ''Aurore'' (maybe a bit too long though for the same groove) and even nicer end with the big symphonic sound of ''Final flight'',containing a huge solo by Dominique Vassart and fantastic spacey/symphonic keys by Patrick Parmentier,very close to ANYONE'S DAUGHTER.

''Reminiscence'' is, for the most of its part,a great prog album created in the darkest ages.Both Psychedelic and Neo Progressive Rock fans ,especially those deep into MARILLION and PINK FLOYD,will love this release,which comes strongly recommended...3.5 stars.