ILLUSIONS OF A NIGHT

In April 1980 Taurus, now with Jos Schild on bass, sign a contract with Phonogram and release the ''Meadow'' single in August of the same year.The producer pushed Taurus to record a second single instead of a full album following the limited sales of ''Meadow'' and the band let the contract expire, signing a new deal with CBS.Meanwhile Dennis Plantenga left Taurus, replaced by Rex Stulp.Eventually the debut album of the group ''Illusions of a night'' was recorded at the Fendal Soundstudio in Loenen aan de Vecht and sees the light in May 81'.

Taurus knew well that their old-style Progressive Rock was completely out of fashion at the beginning of the 80's and decided to abandon the long composing forms for shorter and more elaborate arrangements, the longest one clocking at 6 minutes.Still they denied to move away from their GENESIS-influenced Symphonic Rock and all compositions in the album recall the 70'-77' period of the British legends.With Rob Spierenburg as the main composer the music pieces are led by his balanced use of Hammond organ and synthesizers, filling the sound with dreamy, symphonic themes, supported by an excellent Martin Scheffer and his beautiful guitar lines.Spierenburg even uses the Mellotron in some tracks with an obvious mood to sound as closer as it gets to TONY BANKS' style.Other tracks are more synth-drenched, but even these are delivered in a melodic Symphonic Rock enviroment, maybe a bit closer to CAMEL's style, with very good guitar solos.Scheffer's vocals are along the lines of compatriots KAYAK, not very satisfying but not bad either.Originality seems to be an unknown word for Taurus, however the impressive musicianship and the beautiful passages in the album, full of grandieur and deep emotions, will reward the listener.

Thumbs up for this underrated Dutch group, which was still moving against the stream in early-80's.Very good Symphonic Rock with thrilling arrangements and strong melodies.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.