LE CRI DE LA TERRE

I couldn't agree with Finnforest's review of this album more. This is a mixture of guitar driven Fusion / Rock and keyboard led Symphonic. There is some guest violin on 3 tracks that really add to the my enjoyment of this album. Vocals on one track only. Very cool to see that the cover art was done by Paul Whitehead. He used to do a lot of the cover art for Charisma Records back in the seventies. Including some for GENESIS, VDGG and many others.

"Le Cri De La Terre" opens with a pounding drums / bass / guitar melody. Synths take over from guitar giving a calming effect. Piano takes synths place. Some chunky bass after 3 minutes followed by a beautiful guitar solo that goes on and on. Check out the piano later. Great opening track. "Eternite" opens with birds singing as piano comes in followed by what sounds like a male choir. Drums, guitar and a full sound take over. I love this stuff as the guitar is ripping it up. It calms down as synths wash and the guitar lays down some raw solos. Back to the full sound of earlier. Some beautiful piano melodies later. "Tri-Un" is a darker song with violin. The songs just keep getting better. I really like the mood that they set for this one. Eventually a change occurs as bass, drums and piano provide a different climate with each instrument standing out and impressing.The original melody returns to end it.

"La Vie Du Sonora" is the vocal track and the longest song on here. It opens with a wolf howling. A hopeful, uplifting melody comes in with vocals. It is contrasted throughout with a darker, melancholic section also with vocals. A tasteful and long guitar solo late. Nice. "La Porte... " is a short song consisting of piano melodies. "MR Z" opens with the sounds of birds and waves. This is so relaxing like being at the beach. The beautiful guitar melodies remind me of a Satriani song. Great track. "Energies" is a good song with lots of intricate sounds. Some fantastic interplay. Love the guitar late that lays down some blistering melodies. "Horizon Pourpre" hits the ground running. The bass is very prominant. Violin is lighting it up as well as the guitar. Check out the drumming and the pulsating keys. The guitar comes flying in before 4 minutes. The birds are back in the beginning of "Aurore Boreale". This is a synth led track that really does bring the Northern lights to life through sound.

A solid 4 star record that should satisfy a wide range of tastes.