TEMPUS FUGIT

Metabolisme was a French progrock quartet that has its roots in the late Sixties. They attended numerous festivals and shared the bill with French progrock legend Ange. But it lasted until 1977 when they finally released their debut album entitled "Tempus fugit". This album has a running time of hardly 37 minutes but it sounds very warm and melodic. The first composition "Apotre et martyrs" (15 minutes) features twanging guitars, a lush organ sound, senstitive piano work, good French vocals and many vocal harmonies. In general the atmosphere is mellow but at some moments it delivers accellarations with strong organ waves (like Cressida). The other four songs are similar but sound more powerful due to the fiery electric guitar play. THIS IS AN ALBUM TO CHECK OUT FOR ORGAN AFICIONADOS!

I was a little disappointed with this album at first, only because it was recommended to me by my brother- in-law who is very much into experimental music. That and the dark themed cover art made me think this was going to be one of those dark, sinister organ driven albums. No, this is Symphonic music just like it says in the bio.The organ and drums lead the way for the most part with lots of harmonies and vocal melodies that give it a sixties flavour as Eric has mentioned.

"Apotres Et Martyrs" is the longest song at over 15 minutes. It opens with tasteful guitar as organ and vocals come in. Drums 1 1/2 minutes in as the song gets fuller. The tempo changes so often throughout this song it's incredible. Spoken words before 5 minutes, then vocal harmonies as the tempo continues to shift. Vocals are back before 8 minutes. The drums and organ really stand out 10 1/2 minutes in as vocal melodies come and go. Banks-like keys a minute later. "Tempus" opens with heavy drums and organ runs. A flury of sounds before 2 minutes. "Khoros" opens with gentle guitar then flute comes in. It kicks into gear after a minute before calming down quickly with organ. Nice drum and vocal melody section after 2 minutes. I like the guitar that follows. Tempo picks up 3 1/2 minutes in with vocal melodies a minute later. More excellent guitar as vocals soar.

"Nadia" goes from mellow to busy and uptempo before a minute. Nice guitar and organ work. Contrast continues. Love the sound 5 1/2 minutes in as we hear vocal melodies, bass, drums, organ and keys to the end of the song. "La Danse Des Automates" opens with acoustic guitar as flute and drums join in. Organ then takes the lead with bass. Some distorted guitar before vocals arrive after 1 1/2 minutes that are 60's sounding. Vocal melodies come and go. Vocals back 4 minutes in.

This may have been released in 1977 but it has the spirit of the late sixties and early seventies in it. Tough not to give this 4 stars because i know there are people out there who will love this album. For me 3.5 stars.

Sometimes you come across an album that you like, that you want to write a review about ... but that you avoid doing so because you believe you might damn it due to faint praise.

Metablisme's Tempus Fugit is such an album. As others have noted, it's quite pleasant. And it doesn't diminish in appeal for me to note the similarities with early 70s Ange. Though the organ plays a much more prominent part of Metabolisme's sound.

So why the possibility of faint praise ? Well, I walk away after listening to it without really having the songs stick in my head. Yet, when I play it, I don't reach for the remote to skip a song.

So is this an album for you to pick up ? Well, absent any mp3 samples that I can find on the web, I point to the influences that I noted in this album's songs - Ange, early Genesis and Moody Blues; along with the prominent place that the organ plays that to my ears make it attractive to those who seek that first wave prog scene sound of the early 70s.

So , not a necessity, but a nicety if you will ...

Metabolisme is one of those forgotten french prog rock bands that from my point of view needed much more exposure to the public. With one album released in 1977 named Tempus Fugit, re issued by Musea in 2005, Metabolisme did what they know better, compose quite complicate symphonic prog with many excellent moments. Similar in places with Atoll or even Ange comes in mind but with thir own twists. Only 5 pieces, but each one is damn fine and intresting. The album opens with the longest track , nearly 16 min of pure delight, from mellow parts two lush keybords passages and great guitar chops. One instrumental track - Tempus show that they were capable to creat great prog, with captivating guitsr meets keybords parts, but somehow they gone into oblivion, disbanded in 1979. To me was a great surprise, having the album for years, I only now remembered that I have it and write a quick review, to show that they need attention. No weak moments here, all is well performed and well done, the sound aswell of the re issue is cristal clear. 4 stars for sure.