BIOGENESIS PROJECT

We'll even have some narrative vocals during this sci-fi concept album about the creation of a super creature being able to survive in any natural environment.If all these creatures would look like the one featured on the front cover, I would immediately demand that I be brought into this time period. OK, OK, I'm dreaming.

This album sounds rather different than all their previous efforts. It is a lot harder, almost prog metal at times ("Melt Down"). But in the case of "Ars Nova", the symphonic element is fortunately always present. Of course, remember that Arjen Lucassen plays the guitar on this album as a guest. A song as "Escape" is closely related to Arjen's work, that's for sure. Almost wild my prog friends.

These guests (about half a dozen) add a great value to this work, they bring another dimension and great additional sounds (guitar, violin, keyboards-which are three now).

The addition of some vocals are a plus as well IMO. It is pleasant to listen how this all-instrumental band has turned into a more traditional form. Gianni Leone (lead vocalist from the dinosaur band "Il Balleto Di Bronzo") is rather convincing during his parts. But don't worry if you are an old "Ars Nova "fan : the ELP-ish orientation is still there. The bombastic keyboards will link you with the masters very often.

Some tracks are of no interest like "Mother Earth" and the screaming "Humanoid's Breakfast" but they aren't plenty of that kind and these two together clock at less than six minutes.

This album is strong from start to finish. The delicious "Metamorphosis" is the most "ELP" oriented song. Fully instrumental, it features brilliant musicianship, it is finely symphonic but with such a great beat! The best track out of this offering IMHHO. Fully bombastic. Staggering.

Difficult for "Against the Meteors" to reach that level, but the heavy keyboards are all mighty and make of this one a really powerful track.

But what should be the big one here is the epic and closing number : "Trust to the Future". Over fifteen minutes of a great symphonic journey (during ten minutes). Maybe too pompous at times, but it is mixed with some childish vocals (à la "Teru's Symphonia") typical for Asian female vocals.

This song is of course complex. An hymn to synthesizers, but not only since the excellent violinist from P.F.M. (Lucio Fabbri) plays some very good parts and the theatrical vocal style of Gianni Leone fits perfectly well this melodic piece of music. But the last third of this song is somewhat chaotic. Too bad.

This album is on the edge between three and four stars. Seven out of ten.

Three stars.