VISIONS IN THE DARK

DEYSS were a Neo-Prog band out of Switzerland and this is their second and apparently best release from 1987.They are very much in the GENESIS / MARILLION style but man do these guys pale when compared to either band, I mean they aren't in the same universe even.The vocals have a strong accent and besides the fact the music isn't original in any way, it's just so uninspiring to my ears.

"Passage" is an instrumental and the best of the bunch. Unfortunately that's not saying a whole lot although it has it's moments. "Take Yourself Back" is where it seems to go downhill fairly quickly. Again the vocals are a distraction. "Chained Human" is ballad-like with some soaring guitar later on. "Untouchable Ghost" has this catchy beat with synths early on. Vocals join in and we get a guitar solo before 2 1/2 minutes.

"The Crazy Life Of Mister Tale" opens with some GENESIS-like keyboards as the guitar joins in playing over top.The tempo picks up 2 minutes in.This is good. A calm with gentle guitar then reserved vocals. Some theatrics after 4 minutes then pulsating keys. "Last Chance Flight" is an uptempo track with vocals leading the way. "Vision In The Dark" is the over 17 minute closing suite. It's pastoral to start with vocals and strummed guitar as the song begins to forge it's own path until we get a calm 10 1/2 minutes in with atmosphere. Nature sounds a minute later then the music slowly returns to end it.

It's albums like this that give Neo-Prog a bad reputation i'm afraid. 2 stars.