UGISIUNSI

''Agapanthusterra'' was warmly received by the press and opened the doors of European stages for Quantum Fantay, the band visited Germany (playing at the Burg Herzberg Festival), Holland, Luxembourg, Switzerland and UK among other countries.The rise of the band and the heavy schedule were enough reasons for Dario Frodo and Pete Mush (unlike Gino Bartolini) to quit from their duties with Ghiribizzi.In 2007 the band returned to the studio to record the follow-up album ''Ugisiunsi'', released independently.

The new album sounds a lot like the previous one, I just hear some sort of a deeper ethnic influence in sporadic parts and especially during the flute lines of Charles Sla, which now have obtained a slight Middle-Eastern/Arabian feel.Otherwise this is again a nice and personal proposal on jamming and marching Space Rock with lots of electronics, some cosmic explorations and plenty of fiery grooves with a reckless rhythm section and some pounding guitar riffs.Quantum Fantay re-introduce themselves as a great instrumental group, their music sound deeply spacious, but among the more atmospheric and cinematic edges they are pretty willing to thrown in some playful keyboard tricks and more ''conventional'' stuff, closer to modern Prog.And while this is certainly a 100% Space Rock album, you can hear discreet influences from Neo/Symphonic Prog, guitar-led Fusion and Electronic Music throughout.Really intelligent group.OZRIC TENTACLES are again the closest comparison, maybe this one sounds a tad more genuine, the material is keyboard- or guitar-driven depending on the track, featuring great solos and jams and is definitely highlighted by a gifted flutist and his jawdropping entries within the pieces.

Space-oriented Prog, which can be neurotic, free-minded, powerful and ethereal.While I am not the ultimate fan of the style, I guarantee you that these guys can rock at moments and at the same time explore the principles of cosmic/cinematic music with comfort.Warmly recommended...3.5 stars.

If your into Space Rock then QUANTUM FANTAY needs no introduction. This five piece from Belgium has released 8 studio albums since their debut in 2005. This is album number two from 2007 with the usual instruments except we do get one musician playing flute. The synth player adds vocoder(gag) and lets talk about the synths. Very light and often high pitched I think I have an allergy to his sound. It really is a negative for me but then so is that flute style.

I read someone who said these guys were OZRIC TENTACLES light and I have to agree and I think the Ozrics are already too light. My tastes love that upfront bass with growly and spacey synths, a great drummer and throw in some attitude please. This is so lightweight. Even the best track that 11 1/2 minute closer suffers at times but I do like that guitar and this one has it's moments for sure.

I should mention there's a world music vibe at times on this record. The band likes to refer to their music as being liquid, fair enough but lets have some waves crashing in or a current that causes some concern(haha). Okay enough bashing these guys are truly talented they just aren't anywhere close to being in my Space Rock wheelhouse.