BORN GIFTED / PARAGON

To my huge surprise I noticed that Prog Archives has put the Dutch progrock band Nangyala on the site! Well, this an emotional experience for me because I've followed the band a long time, I've written many reviews about them in Dutch progrock magazines, the front cover picture from their debut-CD has been taken one mile from my home and their very talented guitarplayer Pieter Hanja became a friend of mine for some years! My CD single (a promo) includes the two tracks "Born gifted" (8.20) and "Paragon" (12.44). The first one is a compelling song featuring lots of changing climates, exciting guitarwork, powerful drums, very disctinctive vocals (with a pleasant emotional undertone) and sensational synthesizer flights. The other composition is Nangyala's finest moment and has been broadcasted (as the single version of "Paragon") on the local Dutch television TV West. It starts with a mid-tempo rhythm, wonderful strings, twanging guitarplay, bluesy vocals, suddenly interrupted by a bombastic break delivering a heavy guitar outburst. Then climates that changes from mellow to hevay metal featuring again great guitarplay by Pieter Hanja (he easily changes from sensitive to heavy metal). Halfway the atmosphere shifts to ominous featuring hypnotizing drum beats, soaring strings, whispering vocals and propulsive guitar riffs, VERY COMPELLING. The rhythm goes faster and faster featuring a splendid and very exciting duel between the howling guitar runs and sensational synthesizer runs, I'M PROUD TO BE DUTCH! In the final part the music slows down until it erupts and slows down again with a howling guitar and soaring keyboards. I had high expectations from this very promising Dutch progrock but due to musical disputes they disbanded a few years ago and until now, nobody has re-entered the progrock scene. I keep on waiting!