ECLAT EN CONCERT 1998 - MARSEILLE/TOKYO

Eclat is a French symphonic outfit led by the masterful guitarist Alain Chiarazzo who can deliver the fireworks of Alex Lifeson with the emotion fluidity of David Gilmour all within the confines of the same solo. I came to this band via their outstanding 2002 studio album "Le Cri" and have not heard their earlier albums, so I cannot speak on the growth or progression on their studio work. But this live album like the studio album after it specializes in long sweeping instrumental passages that build in intensity. Backgrounds are keyboard laden and lush as they provide the necessary framework for the eventual guitar assaults. This concert is a rock guitar lover's dream with most tracks being launching pads for some ferocious, adventurous instrumental attacks.

After the cool, swirly introduction "ouverture" comes "le chemin vers les nornes." This neo-sounding track begins with great frazzled guitar lead with rhythm guitar behind playing notes, fat bass, and keys, with a medium pace beat. There are some vocal verses in French where the band backs off during the singing. Around the 5 minute mark is a transition to a more dramatic vocal section and the volume increases, followed by some loud electric leads that get really rocking at the end. Quite a good track for each member. "vitriol" features very cool dual keyboard, piano over strings, with clean guitar and bass to cymbal rides. Sadly they throw vocals in where they were not needed, this track should have been an instrumental as it had such a promising beginning. After finally ditching the singing, Alain tears into an absolute flamethrower of a solo, his volume is just freaking juiced..ears must have been bleeding in the hall that night. "runes" starts like a Nightwish track with a thundering, classically-vibed intro and the main chorus is in a similar vein. In the quieter verse portion the synth sounds exactly like the 70s synth sound on Pentacle and Ange albums, I'm guessing Eclat may be fans of those groups. I'll be honest; the vocals are not Eclat's strength and I think that's probably one reason why I prefer "Le Cri" to this live album as there are less vocals. The first half of "sequoia" is a spacey, distant, often mellow guitar solo over a synth background without drums, very nice. In the second half the drums come in along with some nice piano and bass. Then Alain stretches out and really unloads another gorgeous solo. "eternite" features guitar with real teeth, seriously heavy stuff. "circus" opens with a festive "circuslike" romp and the song is nearly indescribable, moving from one cool part to the next and reminding me often of Ange but with better guitar work, although of course the vocals are no match for Decamps. Nice runs of piano will pop in and out providing great color. Another earth-scorching workout from Alain to the finish line. "toujours courir" is one more long workout with louder drumming but a slow-medium pace, and more active, plunky bass against the guitar. There is some jazzy keyboard solo work in the middle followed by band introductions. "nostalgia" is a nice piano solo by Thierry Masse. "la machine" starts out like a barnburner 80s Rush track, driving very hard in the bass and guitar. Soon the synth changes to piano which lightens things a bit. Alain's guitar changes from a Lifeson sound in places to a Frippish hard riff line in other places. The final 2 minutes are band speaking to audience in French, not sure about what!

"Eclat in Concert" is a good album, a live document of the band to that point and will be especially enjoyable for French prog fans, guitar rocks fans, and harder symphonic/neo fans. It's a guitar lover's album mostly with some monster solos and very exciting passages. Definitely on the plus-side of 3 stars but I don't believe I can get this to the 4 star level of recommending to everyone, though I would couch that by saying that if you are predisposed to loving live concert CDs over studio albums, then you can add a star to my rating. I would suggest their fine "Le Cri" studio album first and then get this if you like that one. Though I would add this is music that is not going to disappoint (hardly) anyone. It's good stuff. The CD artwork design is strangely amateur and quite ugly for such a great band. Thankfully that improved on the next album as well.

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