METANOIA

So many years of patience were not only rewarded with a first official album by Nexus, but the Argentinians also participated in the Nearfest live in 2000, a performance caught live and released privately a couple of years later.In 2001 Nexus released their sophomore work ''Metanoia'', as things eventually seemed to be rolling.The new album was again a product of Record Runner.

With such a great impact worldwide Nexus shouldn't do anything more than moving on performing what they could do best: Powerful, bombastic Symphonic/Heavy Prog, led by the work of Lalo Huber on keyboards, the dynamic voice of Mariela Gonzales and the soaring guitars of Carlos Lucena.Again the arrangements are overfilled with the organ fanfares, the sharp synthesizers and the haunting piano of Huber in different-sounding movements, ranging from grandiose and almost operatic Symphonic Rock to Classical-driven Prog.Unbelievable pyrotechnics in the vein of E.L.P. come and go, leaving their place to more guitar-based themes with a few melodies added for good measure, while at moments the music of Nexus has some sort of Electronic Prog vibe.What doesn't really help the band is the lack of some more calming space, as all arrangements are pretty heavy with little smoother interruptions, otherwise we talk about quality keyboard-led Progressive Rock here with lots of shifting moods, impressive solos and dark groovy parts.

Not much to add.''Metanoia'' is another strong offering by Nexus, a little excessive at parts but nevertheless delicious for all keyboard-freaks out there.Recommended.