HYMNEMONDE

PANGEE were a band out of Quebec who released this one album in 1995. The attraction for me was all the KING CRIMSON and ANEKDOTEN comparisons, but while the angular guitar does bring those bands to mind i'm surprised at how original these guys sound. We get three long instrumental tacks where the band can really stretch out but if I have one complaint it's that it could have been more dynamic, although I found that if I played it really loud the dynamics are right on. As Hugues states this is rather "sober" sounding.

"Quartus Frenesis" is the over 19 1/2 minute opener. Spacey synths to open remind me of seventies RUSH who i'm sure were an influence. A change before 2 minutes as we get some intricate guitar with a beat. Some angular guitar lines follow. A calm before 5 1/2 minutes. Synths, bass and a beat rise out of this and build. Cool sounding percussion before 11 minutes. A change follows as drums, bass and synths take over. It settles back around 14 minutes then kicks back in at 18 minutes.

"Cataracte" opens with angular guitar, drums and bass. Excellent sound here. The organ floats in then starts to pulsate. The sounds become more intricate and lighter after 3 minutes then a minute later it's GENESIS-like as keys come in. Violin after 6 1/2 minutes as the mood changes. Intricate guitar sounds then follow. The tempo picks up before 10 minutes with some chunky bass. "Le Sanctuaire D'euterpe" opens with drums followed by guitar and organ. It sounds like mellotron or strings 1 1/2 minutes in.The drums are impressive. A change 4 minutes in as it settles to a dark mood while the guitar echoes. It kicks back in around 7 1/2 minutes. Synths follow then it settles back again. It picks back up and marching styled drums come in around 11 minutes. Violin follows. It builds to an intense sound before 13 minutes then the guitar joins in as drums pound. It then settles back with mellotron-like sounds and organ.

A gem from nineties Quebec and easily 4 stars.