YLECLIPSE

3.5, really. This is my second experience with this italian band. And Opus is quite different from their next release, Trails From Ambergris. This one shows the band still emulating a lot of early Marillion (something they would eventually shed away). So in the end is an interesting mix of 80`s neo prog (yes, with all that Genesis connection) with italian synphonic prog of the 70´s. The results are very intresting and kind of unusual. The only other italian band which plays something similar is The Watch. and, with apologies to ZowieZiggy, that group sounds to me too much like a Genesis copycat without the beautiful melodies of the original. Yleclipse may not be much of an original group, but they do have fine tunes to go along with their obvious fine musicanship (and influences!).

I have the impression the production here is actually a little better than On Trails From Anbergris, even if they still lack a modern, clean sound more suited for their elegant style. Ok, nothing that spoils the end result. It would be also better if they sing in italian instead of english, but again their choice of language does not harm the songs. And I really love the guitar/keyboards interplay, the melodic lines, the tasteful arrangements and the passionate vocals. The electric parts are definitly more on the neo prog style while the acoustic ones are leaning more towards the italian prog school. Highlight on this album is surely the longest track the Tale Of The Black Cloak, with its several mood and tempo swings. Fortunatly the rest of the CD is not too far behind. There are no fillers.

So in the end it was a bit hard to rate this album. it is very, very good indeed. I have no shame to say I love the early Marillion style to the core, as long as it is well done. And this band does it good indeed. Nothing to write home about it (unless, again, if you´re a fan of Fish´s former band), but very good at what they do. The inclusion of the italian prog influences give their sound here a distinctive flavour that makes them different from a pletora of early Marillion clones. Still, I feel I can´t give Opus the personal 4 star rating I´d like to. I think 3,5 stars is more fitting. Recommended to anyone who likes neo prog or good melodic prog in general.

Songs From the Crackling Atanor released in december 2012 is another very worthy album from this unfairly underrated band from Italy named Yleclipse. I have a soft spot for this band since they released Opus in 2006. This album from the excellent art work made by Alessandra Murgia (who done all the art works of previous albums) to the music this album is no less then an excellent journey into neo prog realm where everything is well balanced and performed. Again like on previous albums, here are long elaborated neo-prog pieces with exception opening instrumental track Convivium Mithrae. Keeping the flag high in this field Yleclipse manage to come with another excellent sincere reelease as an example of how must sound a neo prog album these days. I like a lot this new album, both instrumental passages as the voice aswell. Alessio Guerriero has an unique voice and fits perfectly into this type of music, and aswell here I can trace some Peter Hammill influences in some of his vocal lines, of course not a bad thing at all. Opening track Convivium Mithrae - stands as one of the highlights , is an 6 min instrumental piece, a combination of neo prog passages with a medieval, celtic atmosphere, very nice and original. Another very worthy tune is Gentle breeze and Dreams are foam, excellent song writting, top notch vocal lines and elegant guitar works, love it. The rest of the tracxks are also worthy for sure. Simply said this is another great work by the band, who still continue with perseverence to belive in their goal, to produce solid progressive rock for the eager listners ears. For me Yleaclipse is one of the best bands I've ever heared and the most unique aswell, and with thier fifth album - Songs from the Crackling Atanor they still are on the bariccades producing quality music. 4 stars easy, beside music the art work is magic , as one every Yleclipse album.

After ''Opus'' Yleclipse had to face the departure of original drummer Roberto Diomedi, while keyboardist Andrea Picciau decided to relocate in Milano.The band even flirted with dissolution, but with a good organized program they started the recordings of a new album in Cagliari, now featuring new member Federico Bacco behind the drum kit.With the support of Mellow Records, now renamed to The Yleclipse, the talented Italian quartet returned in 2008 with ''Trails of Ambergris'', an album dealing with the failed attempt by the French Navy to capture Sardinia at the fall of the 18th century.

Despite the problems aforementioned, The Yleclipse managed to come up with some great Neo/Symphonic Prog material once again.All tracks are nicely developed with great melodic parts, haunting symphonic keyboards, dramatic atmospheres and sharp guitar solos, using the theatrical side of MARILLION along with the symphonic tradition of Italian Prog as performed by bands such as PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI, IL CASTELLO DI ATLANTE or SITHONIA.The album contains numerous changes between tempos and atmospheres, forwarding the melodic side of Neo Prog and the atmospheric Symphonic Rock arrangements.Another memorable performance delivered by Alessio Guerriero on vocals, who's voice recalls FISH at its best.The sound overall ranges from powerful and very rich themes with full-blown prog workouts to MARILLION-eque deeply atmospheric instrumental soundscapes to Classical-inspired keyboard interludes with lots of harmonic passages.

Another winner by this great Italian group.Not as good as the previous album, but definitely well-performed and quite passionate Progressive Rock.Strongly recommended to all fans of Italian Prog, Neo Prog and Symphonic Rock...3.5 stars.

There are always bands and albums that give you the feeling of "love on first sight (listening)" simply because they match with your taste 100%. Those cases in which you don't have to listen at least 5 times to make up your mind what you think of them. But they're simple there, the real deal for you as if they were especially made for you. And here we have an example of that. Yleclipse latest from 2008 is the real deal for me.

And the explanation is simple: long extended instrumental (mainly guitar) solos that seem to go on and on and in flawless style and execution. The title track is a great example of what I mean but so are in fact all (5) long tracks. Yleclipse simple have the right formula for my preference.

So an obvious 5 star case you would think but alas not. The vocals spoil some of the fun for me and have to prevent me to give the highest score. But it's close, 4.5 is the least it deserves but I will have to round down here. An average of 3.4 and 11 ratings in total so far is a way too low score in both respects. So at least I can do my part here in giving this release a bit of a boost. And what's most important: it's so well deserved. Extremely recommended for neofans who dig the long guitarsolos that simply never grow dull in this case. So go for it and check it out at least !

Italian band Yleclipse from Cagliari started in 1998 as Eclisse, led by the founding members guitarist/bassist Alessio Guerriero and drummer Roberto Diomedi.They were soon joined by keyboardist Andrea Picciau and recorded their debut ''Mercury and Sulfurus'', released in August 2000 on Arcontes label.The trio was helped by several session musicians on a few tracks, including bass, violin, keyboard and choir performances.

A very mature debut,swirling from MARILLION-esque Neo Prog to modern Italian Symphonic Rock, ''Mercury and Sulfurus'' shows a band already musically grown and offering a number of brilliant and harmonic compositions.Warm vocal lines, elegant guitar delivery, sometimes with a sharp edge and splendid keyboard work along with a fair amount of prog breaks and shifting climates guarantee every time a pleasant listening experience.But the biggest advantage of Eclisse is their ability to create a great number of wonderful melodies in every track, either regarding a nice guitar solo or an excellent keyboard performance, making them worth comparison against the biggest names of the Neo/Symphonic Prog league.Most of the tracks are sung in English, having however evident Classical influences at moments close to the 70's Italian acts, often supported by semi-theatrical vocals and reminding a cross between MARILLION and ELEGANT SIMPLICITY.Four out of the twelve compositions though are sung in the native language and comparisons with the likes of SITHONIA, ATON'S or ERIS PLUVIA are evident.The more obvious flaw comes from the production department, which is rather mediocre, reminding of a band recording in late-80's than a group of musicians facing the new millenium.But the great musicianship is there to overcome this disadvantage.

A fantastic debut, which is pretty unknown and definitely deserves a reissue.Highly recommended to all fans of Melodic/Classic/Neo/Symphonic Prog with a special reference to followers of the aforementioned bands.

Trails of Ambergris is their forth album issued at same Mellow records in 2008 is another worthy album from their catalogue, and is their final one 'till today. As I said on previous reviw from Opus , that I have a soft spot for this band, thie album to me is their best so far and one of the most pleasent and enjoyble neo prog album I've heared in last years. Quite underrated in my opinion, Trails of Ambergris has all the high point of the previous album and even more excellent ideas added. Perfect musicianship, instrumental passages are very well performed, with rich arrangements, again long pieces with very good guitar parts. Complex neo prog, with some symphonic touches and aswell some celtic folk, some '70's prog influences on this release like PFM, Steve Hackett, Genesis, some Marillion, but in the end the album turn to be a very enjoyble one. Wind-tanned Horses, is a perfect example of how great this band is, the instrumental Arcontes Merees Karaleos and the best pieces to me The slower, long pieces, varied compostions, complex arrangenets, like a progressive rock album must be, I like alot this kind of neo prog, with guitar shining on every piece, fascinating keybords melting with the rest of the instruments, no weak moments , only great and inventive part s from Yleclipse. Again 4 stars for this unnoticed band with moderate succes to prog listners, for sure Yleclipse needs a far more wider exposure to public because they are a fantastic band from this genre, far better then most of so called important bands from neo zone, I was very pleasent surprised. Excellent cover art, that mediaval like drawing is very catchy and goes hand in hand with the album music melodic and in same time quite complex. This album like previous one goes recommened from me, I don't really know why are so low rated, these two releases are a great example of how must sound and be played neo prog these days.

Yleclipse from Italy is a progressive rock band for whom I have a soft spot, there is something in their music that I like very much, and is one of the most sincere and honest bands I've ever heared from this genre. Opus is their third album from 2005 issued at Mals-Mellow records label and is a total winner for me. Long pieces, complex, well composed with rich arrangements, great guitars and excellent keyboards, similar with Marillion most of the time, but they have their own twist for sure. I like aswell the voice of Alessio Guerriero, he fits perfectly in the mood of the album. Neo prog is what they play with some symphonic touches here and there, some parts remind me of Hackett, Genesis. Yje music offered by Yleclipse have complex structurated pieces with plenty of great moments, quite more complex then most of the bands from this genre, they have some fantastic ideas very well presented, the instrumental passages are top notch most of the time. Some great moments are on opening track A crown of gold, the intro from Glorious is keiller with some fantastic guitar-keybords parts, The tale of the black cloak is another highlight, from mellow to more dynamic sections Yleclipse done a good job on this album, flute, piano and other ingredients to make it big in this filed. Opus is a perfect ecxample of greatness in this genre. 4 stars for this one, nice cover art aswell.

I have always regarded the Neo Prog genre being an updated version of Genesis sound and pretty close to what Marillion came up with before Fish departed. Yleclipse follows this recipe to the letter on this album.

This album is supposed to be their most progressive album ever. Maybe so. I have interviewed them, but this is my first exposure to their music. An exposure over several evenings in my office.

The music is a mix of symph prog and neo prog. Genesis and Marillion. The overall sound is very close to Marillion and so is the vocals too. The songs are pretty good without really enthusing me. The songs sounds a bit too calculating for my taste. It is like adding the various neo prog components into songs instead of really letting the music flow. That makes this album pretty bland and inoffensive. It is though a very enjoyable neo prog album and almost essential if Marillion is your cup of tea.

3 stars

English lyrics, neo-prog music ("Wind- Tanned Horses") with some symphonic elements ("Sacred Healing Light") or some fine medieval little piece ("Charlotte's Dream") are available on this album from the Italian band "Yleclipse".

All this is well crafted although vocals are below average. But since Alessio Guerrero is in charge of that department from the very beginning of the band, there is nothing new under the sky.

Instrumental sections are by far the most interesting ones like during the wonderful introduction of the title track (also a constant remark throughout their discography): guitar is often emotional but at the end of the day it sounds as a second tier "Pendragon" as far as I'm concerned.

This is also a lengthy album which would have gained if cut by fifteen minutes or so. Anyway, if you fancy to listen to an early "Marillion" clone, why not give it a try to this work. As such it is not too bad (except weak vocals overall) but don't expect the fantasy and complexity of genuine Italian prog bands. But there is nothing wrong with this.

The long and closing "The Day The Wooden Leopard Roared" is a perfect summary of the whole album: good neo prog music, delicate guitar and a bit more synths than usual. A good song. As the album.

Three stars.

The previous album from this band left me as cold as ice: basic neo-prog, period. I just hoped that this one would be superior.

The filiation with "Genesis" is still obvious (there are several Hackett-like solo) but the music sounds more mature. It is good to see that the band was moved from RPI to neo...

Vocals somehow reminds of "Marillion" Mark I (the only one as far as I'm concerned). Just listen to the good opening "A Crown Of Gold" to get this confirmed. But this is only the first of a list.

This album is stronger than "Prime Substance" for sure. Compositions are harmonious and guitar work is very powerful and emotional. English vocals are good although somewhat theatrical and willing to remind some other "voices" from the past during the excellent "Reality Show".

Some lighter and acoustic parts are also available: another short Hackett touch but nice to break the mood ("Sailing To Caralis", or the medieval but symphonic "Carol").

This band fits perfectly the neo-prog genre like their country men "The Watch" (whom I prefer). Melodic and crafted that's a given fact, but the phantom of the masters is really catching up later in this "Opus" (title track as well as "Glorious"). These musicians are gifted (but after all, this is normal to expect) and the writing skills on this work is pretty decent too.

The most "Genesis" sounding track is the fine "Tale Of The Black Cloak". One of the longest available and also another one to feature brilliant guitar lines (one of their strong points by all means). Some Banks influence is immediately noticeable as the song starts as well. This track holds a lot of different moods and textures: it is the most sophisticated from this "Opus" and the most achieved; even if not too personal.

If you like the early "Marillion" and the late middle seventies "Genesis", this album is definitely an interesting one for your ears. If you are too much of a purist, you could avoid it. I rate it as a good album. Three stars.