ZARAVÁSH

Zarg started in 1993/94 from Pouso Alegre in Brazil, originally named Mr. Wizard and featuring Alexandre Siqueira on vocals/flute/guitar, Leonardo Coutinho on guitars, Christian Valias on drums and Geraldo Moraes on bass.After a demo release in 1997, its producer Edgard de Brito joins them on keyboards and a second demo follows in 1999.Around the time the line-up underwent a significant lifting, followed by the change of name to Zarg. Valias and de Brito left their posts to Anderson Alarca and Nelio Porto, the later being a member of the 90's Recordando o Vale das Maçãs line-up.In 2002 Zarg released their debut album ''Zaravash'' on the native label Progressive Rock Worldwide in December 2002.

Zarg seem to have been influenced by a variety of Progressive Rock bands, scanning diverse styles and ending up to being the closest comparison to Swiss band ZENIT.During the first few listenings they sound like a talented Neo Prog act, building their style on angular and slightly symphonic synthesizers, expressive vocals, electroacoustic textures and series of impressive rhythmic guitars and melodic soloing.But this album has a few more notes to reveal in the process.The keyboard playing becomes extremely quirky at moments, the rapid tempo changes indicate a band with a love towards complex structures and the guitars often settle in more Fusion solos with a more virtuosic delivery.As a result the band eventually sounds like a Prog Rock version of DREAM THEATER, respecting the symphonic acts of the past and upgrading their style with a few Jazz/Fusion lines.Most of the tracks are long, well-arranged and captivating with numerous thematic moves, retro aesthetics and complex songwriting.The 14-min. ''Uga uga or die'' seems like the absolute pinnacle of the album, extremely interesting piece with both laid-back and frenetic textures, powerful executions and a vast palette of soundscapes.In fact everything flows pretty nice until the last track, another 14-min. composition, entitled ''Zaravash part II'', this time influenced more by KING CRIMSON, which is rather tiring and uninspired, based on pre-recorded vocal tapes, experimental effects and an atmosphere somewhere between Fusion, Post Rock and Experimental Rock.Completely out of the general atmosphere and rather uninteresting, excessive performance.

Over the following years the band underwent again several line-up shakes with Alarca joining Prog Metallers SupreMa and the rest of the band quiting, leaving Geraldo Moraes as the only original member.He refreshed Zarg with Dario Mascaro on keys, Tiago Ferreira on vocals, Rafael Alves on drums and Leonardo Paulisto on guitars and Zarg kept playing live, at least until 2010.

This is some emphatic Progressive Rock for the most of its part.Complicated, challenging and energetic with decent structures, mainly blinking on the Neo/Symphonic Prog category with a fair dose of Fusion exercises included.Recommended.