LABYRINTHE

Phaesis were not very active live group in particular, a good enough reason why they remained rather unnoticed throughout their career.The group has encountered as many as 12 live performances during the year 1990, while in 1991 these were even more limited, as the band prepared to launch the second album ''Labyrinthe''.This was recorded again at the band's own studio, seeing the light on Musea Records and coinciding with the re-edition of ''Reminiscence'' on CD by the French label.

For ''Labyrinthe'' Phaesis decided to reduce the strong PINK FLOYD influences of their debut and offer a work closer to the standards of Neo Prog with a fair dose of French Prog tradition thrown in for good measure.The calm, emotional, somewhat GILMOUR-ish electric solos are not absent, but the bulk of this effort has much more in common now with acts such as ADN, QUADRA, a bit of VERSAILLES and CAFEINE, while the all-around atmosphere has similar aspects to the music of MARILLION.Dramatic but also deeply melodious music, based on distorted electric guitars and dreamy keyboard themes, which occasionally enter into a big, symphonic mood, building some grandiose and pompous textures.For unknown reasons Phaesis decided to place the longer compositions at the end of the album, but it's never too late for some inventive, demanding and atmospheric long Prog tracks.Emotional singing lines, shifting gears, fairytale keyboard lines and bombastic, Neo Prog-ish tunes are the leading elements here, completing some good inspiration and sufficient composing.The melodies are instant, the ANGE influences become more apparent, the atmosphere ranges from dark and sinister to optimistic and pleasant and Patrick Parmentier, Dominique Vassart shine through, delivering impressive work on keyboards and guitars respectively, resulting to well-executed and nicely arranged pieces.

While not being a milestone of the ressurected French Prog scene, ''Labyrinthe'' is unique in its own way, an album with dramatic atmospheres and efficient melodies, written to satisfy all fans of Neo/Symphonic Prog of the time, who starved for some adventurous and nostalgic Rock music.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.