1914

Dutch band from Utrecht, formed sometime in the 70's and having a good live activity around the time.In 1981 Arkus aka Frans Smits on vocals/guitar, Ron Willems on guitar, Jan-Henk Wiggelinkhuizen on organ and synthesizers, John Bouwman on bass/vocals and Erik van Duin on drums/vocals entered the SR Studios in Bodegraven, working hard for six days to record their debut , inspired by Dutch poet Bert Voeten.The result was the album ''1914'', released as a private press.

Wrapped under a very sensitive atmosphere Arkus played soft guitar-driven Symphonic Rock with emphasis on smooth guitar playing, melodic solos and elaborate arrangements.They seemed much influenced by CAMEL and recall at moments fellow natives ODYSSICE with Smits and Willems taking over the situation and delivering series of mindblowing, dramatic solos with a solid rhythm section in the background.The keyboard work of Wiggelinkhuizen remains in the background as well, filling up the empty holes for the guitarists and occasionally offering some nice passages.Vocals are in English and they are delivered with heart and emotion in a sensitive style.

Arkus were soon abandoned by the manager with large financial debts on their backs, eventually slowing down their career, though the band kept playing live.In early-90's, at a time when the band was back alive and well, ''1914'' was reissued in CD format by SI Music with a pair of bonus tracks from the early days.Both show the band insisting on playing a warm Neo/Symphonic Rock with delicate and impressive guitar work, but ''Don't break the silence'' contains also some nice synthesizer parts not unlike the bands of the New Wave of British Prog.

Many of these guitar-based prog albums rely much on how good the melodies contained are.Arkus did it very well and if you are into Neo Prog, light Symphonic Rock or even Melodic Rock, ''1914'' is a great purchase.Go for the CD reissue due to the nice pair of extra compositions.