ECLIPSE SOL-AIR

In many ways this is a much heavier album, but Horslips and Red Jasper are still influences, although possibly different eras of both. There is plenty of guitar, and still a lot to take in lyrically with songs in multiple languages, and sometimes multiple languages within the same song! No songs more than ten minutes long this time, and the complexity has been somewhat simplified, but this has been replaced with a stronger pop sensibility and there are plenty of hooks to be interested in. This is definitely the more immediate of the two albums and one that can be more easily enjoyed on the first play, but I have to confess to missing the sheer wildness and strangeness of the last one. But, this is still a damn fine album and anything short of 4 *'s would be just wrong. Another album well worth investigating www.eclipse-sol-air.de

But that is just the first of the four longer songs found in the middle of the album, with "Benedictus" closing in at 11:06, "Phantome" at 13:03 and "Die Rumanen" at 21:25. It is true to say that there are places here where it does sound as if the long song has been artificially created by putting in some sections that have little connected with the rest (such as the drum solo), but we're progheads so does it really matter? By the end of the album I was totally confused as to what I had been listening to, and just know that I enjoyed it. This feels much more like a theatrical production than 'just' an album, as the songs are often very visual. I have to confess to doing a double take on the last song of the album though, as it is the old sing in a round "Frere Jacques" that I was taught as a young child. It never sounded like this though.

This is one of the longest single discs I have come across, at 82 minutes, and it is certainly never boring! Well worth investigating further, www.eclipse-sol-air.de

So the big question is: Does Schizophilia measure up to Bartok's Crisis?

Schizophilia is an album that in many ways is similar to its predecessor but at the same time it is also different. We again find a mixture of male and female vocal singing in different languages (English, German, French) and a multitude of musical styles covering a broad spectrum (Rock, Pop, Folk, Classic, etc) all poured into exciting arrangements. This wild mixture is again delivered by highly skilled musicians and sound to me as if they had fun doing this album.

Compared to Bartok's Crisis we find an album that sounds a bit more focused and structured. I guess the producer had some role to play here. As this might be regarded as an improvement, I personally feel an album was created that sounds a bit tamer and to some extent not as exciting as Bartok's Crisis. But don't get me wrong. Schizophilia is still a pretty dam good record and I can only recommend it! If you could for some strange reason only one album by Eclipse Sol-Air I would say, take Bartok's Crisis. If you can get your hands on both of them get both!

What Eclipse Sol-Air delvers musically can already be partially deducted from the cover, a mixture of diverse musical styles: the listener is taken on a journey through Symphonic Prog mixed with Metal, Folk, Neo-Prog, Pop, Classical and Medieval elements. Vocals in English German, French, and other languages. The vocals are delivered by male and female vocalists. Through this musical roller coaster ride highly talented musicianship shines through.

It is difficult to say which track is the best; there is actually not any weak track. The two long tracks "waiting for You" and "Benedictus" are my favourites.

And for those who like comparisons: What comes to my mind is Orphaned Land and Haggard; however this is just a very vague comparison. Somehow Eclipse Sol-Air go much further than those bands . . . and they excite me much more. I will give 4and half stars.

Basically the sound of the band starts with strong guitar-based Heavy and Hard Rock inspirations with some sort of DEEP PURPLE, LED ZEPPELIN and even AC/DC influences, mixed inconsistently with Hammond organs, synthesizers and even more weirdly Classical piano touches and Medieval tunes in the vocal parts.Not very charming listening, considering these themes are pretty unrelated, while Fickert's very good English vocals stand out, even if they sound a little poppy.All these just until the middle of the album, where Philippe delivers a very 90's ANGE-type of straight Rock on ''You'll See It Tomorrow'' with French lyrics and good vibes.The long follower ''Part V'' shows eventually some good potential.Nice Heavy Prog with dominant organs, light pianos, professional breaks and strong symphonic passages, even if the mix of French, English and Latin lyrics is again questionable.''Part VI'' shows a darker side of the group with monster guitar moves and powerful grooves, containing also a beautiful folky texture with vintage flutes around the middle, but also a hillarious ending with bluesy hints.''Finalis'' is an average closer.Based on orchestral synths, poppy vocal lines and a few guitar solos, it just prooves the confusing style of Eclipse Sol-Air on their debut.''Outro'' makes me scratch my head why it was added in the first place.Four silent and boring minutes of music out of a childish playing box without any particular reason of existence.

Inconvincing and messed up debut by Eclipse Sol-Air.The two longer pieces have some great energy and very interesting ideas, but overall this work sounds totally directionless and unfocused.Not exactly recommended.