CURSES AND INVOCATIONS

When Progressive rock is this convincing you must take note... Italy's STANDARTE play dark mellotron driven imaginative music with a high degree of musicianship. Imagine a band where 2 of the three members are credited with playing the mellotron and you are already half way there for me... "Curses & Invocations" STANDARTE's 2nd release combines layered symphonic keyboards with great voices (sung convincingly in english) fitted with some pretty tasty bass & drum interplay throughout. This album is full of luscious dark atmospheres and dark macabre imaging without getting too gothic or ugly for my liking. Of the most intriguing aspects of this album for me is the absence of guitar which although at first I was a little doubtful is in fact not missed at all... a true testimonial to the depth of their music. Overall a well crafted album which is full of originality and offers some great dark mellotron laden music for you too dream off to another world with.