AS THE YEARS GO BY

A complicated story surrounds this band from Torino, which started in 1992 when longtime friends and bandmates Luigi Ametta (guitars) and Carlo Biorcio (vocals) decided to form a Progressive Rock group.They were surrounded by keyboardist Gianfranco Milone, drummer Roberto Marongiu and bassist Massimo Molinaro and released the demo ''Twilight'' in 1993, including tracks of Hop Frog, an earlier project of Ametta and Biorcio.Soon Marongiu and Molinaro left to be replaced by Elisa Pilotti and Piero Pedicini.The band was signed by Vinyl Magic and recorded the debut ''As the Years Go By'' at Synergy Studios in Torino between September and December of 94' under the guidance of Beppe Crovella, eventually released in March 95'.

Drawing influences from the Neo and Symphonic Progressive Rock legends of the time, Circle of Fairies produced an album of melodic and atmospheric soundscapes and with an intense lyricism at moments along with an alternation between romantic and dark atmospheres.Actually the first half of the album is very good with hints of MARILLION and ASGARD displayed all over the compositions, which are pretty nice, filled with fiery synths to go along with great vocal work and ROTHERY/HACKETT-ish guitar textures.Some beautiful piano parts and lush organ/Mellotron waves give the arrangements a vintage feeling.The later two compositions, which are also the longer ones, both clocking at 11 minutes, contain some nice moments, but sound quite overstretched with some extended ideas and a smoother mood overall.Still they remain at a decent level with plenty of symphonic-oriented themes, shifting moods and a good vocal performance by a singer, who recalls the style of FISH.

Unfortunately the next year Circle of Fairies disbanded, leaving behind a Fan Club live tape entitled ''Dancing in circle'' and the promo cassette ''Postcards from the asylum'', containing some demo songs.Luigi Ametta went on to form a solo project under the name Castalia in 1998.

''As the Years Go By'' is a good example of 90's Neo/Symphonic Prog by a band with a talent to transform their ideas into atmospheric and challenging music, but lacking the God-sent inspiration of the biggest names of the genre.Recommended overall.