Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Magnésis - Les Voyages De Mikado CD (album) cover

LES VOYAGES DE MIKADO

Magnésis

Neo-Prog


From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Bookmark and Share
3 stars This band has operated under the radar of PA for a long time. That is my conclusion after discovering that this is the first ever review of both this album or any of their five other albums. The band is still active. Both gigs and a new album is scheduled. But this album is their debut album and I hope to review the five others within a short time-frame.

So, what is in store for those who want to venture into their world ? The lyrics on this album is sung in French. The good vocals is theatrical and like Peter Gabriel at times. The music is somewhere between symphonic prog, neo-prog, cabaret music and folk & medieval music. I get a lot of HARMONIUM, MARILLION and GENESIS vibes out of this music. The band is known for their theatrical gigs (hence the GENESIS connection). That shines through at this album. Their love for classic medieval music also shines through. MAGNESIS is not a one-trick-pony. The music here is very poetic. It is like MARILLION on their most poetic. Both MARILLION and IQ is a good reference.

It is my qualified guess that this is a concept album about something which happened hundreds of years ago. It feels like a concept album. The music is pretty good with some good melodies and hooks. Guitars and keyboards are the main instruments. The music is basically moods based where the band paint sound-landscapes of their medieval concept. I think it is an interesting album. Mostly because it brings something new to the market. I have problems finding anything to compare it with. Maybe that is down to my limited exposure to prog rock outwith the main bands. But I conclude that this is a good album.

3 stars

Report this review (#220493)
Posted Wednesday, June 10, 2009 | Review Permalink
apps79
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR
Honorary Collaborator
3 stars Being both lovers of 70's progressive rock,high-school friends Frederick Przybyl and Eric Tillerot formed MAGNESIS in 1987.Drawing influences from YES,GENESIS,ANGE but also IQ and MARILLION,they toured in the region Burgundy, performing live with shows characterized by changing costumes and extreme make-ups.Their first full-length release came out in 1992 entitled ''Le voyages de Mikado'', recorded at Verguet Studio in Dijon and based on a story written by Przybyla, unfolding in France of 14th century about a figure called Mikado.

The album follows a rather soft symphonic rock style with many intense vocal parts and tons of atmospheric keyboards.Though Przybyla wrote most of the album's material,he is not participating in the album,where keyboardist/singer Eric Tillerot is surrounded by a team of four musicians on vocal parts/drums/bass/guitars. Combining succesfully elements of symphonic/art rock,neo progressive rock and light folk/medieval music (check the fine flute parts), MAGNESIS achieved to deliver a pleasant and atmospheric release with theatrical aspect,where changing roles and obscure vocal chords dominate the concept,obviously inspired by ANGE's music. However the keyboard work of Tillerot is noteable for his emotional delivering and deep atmospheric passages,using mostly modern keyboards,except a few classical organ parts.Guitarist Olivier Vaysse performs strongly as well with many good solos and soaring guitars in the vein of MARILLION and PINK GLOYD.The story flows nice and easy and anyone into French language should get into the release even easier.This is very strong and satisfying progressive rock for both fans of its symphonic and neo genre. Recommended.

Report this review (#221441)
Posted Tuesday, June 16, 2009 | Review Permalink

MAGNÉSIS Les Voyages De Mikado ratings only


chronological order | showing rating only

Post a review of MAGNÉSIS Les Voyages De Mikado


You must be a forum member to post a review, please register here if you are not.

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.