EL PROFETA

PROGHEADS ALERT, THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST OVERLOOKED NEW PROGROCK BEAUTIES!! I discovered this new Spanish band while surfing on a Spanish site. The very positive review seduced me to order it, WHAT A DISCOVERY! Bijou is an instrumental five piece band that plays in the 24-carat symphonic rock tradition with a modern sound. The seven compositions (running time more than 1 hour) are absolutely marvellous: lush and varied keyboards (from sparkling piano to bombastic orchestrations), very moving duo- guitarwork (many sensitive and howling soli, harder-edged riffs or twanging guitars), a splendid and energetic rhythm-section and lots of shifting moods, accellarations and great soli on keyboards and guitar. A very strong point is that Bijou plays wonderful and captivating progrock with an own identity, what an incredible high level for a new band with a debut-CD! The highlight on this CD is the epic titletrack (3 parts, almost 25 minutes) in which they manage to create a very captivating Morish climate featuring keyboards that sounds like the flamenco guitar in the piece "Zambra mora", one of the most Arab inspired flamenco rhythms. I keep my five stars for the next album!? HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR ALL PROGROCK AFICIONADOS!!!