IN THE GATES OF DREAM

A little while ago I was ranting and raving to some friends about a new prog band from Greece called La TULIPE NOIRE whose second album "Shattered Image" simply blew my socks off. Once again very rich in the Neo-Prog vein, "In The Gates Of Dreams" La TULIPE's first album pushes most of the right buttons for this music lovers with great symphonic touches and excellent guitar and bass interplay. Female vocals are handled by a different lady who goes by the name of Lena and also carries a kind voice (although not as strong IMHO as heard from Ima on "Shattered Image"). My only criticism on the album rests in the digital drum work which they always sound too synthetic IMHO to me. Instrumentally TULIPE explore some nice musical territory with nice tempo changes all while maintaining their symphonic presence. Fans of IQ and MARILLION will likely drool over this band's work so far... I have!!