TNNE: LIFE 3.0

NO NAME founded in 88, disbanded to reform as TNNE in 2012; a more symphonic MARILLION sound, as Cadbury would say. 25 years and a 7th album at the beginning of the year on a classic neo-prog inspired by the fiction of Tad Williams 'the other world'. Claudio from CAST leaving his place to Cédric for a more sustained approach with emphatic melodic flights.

'The Net' cinematic intro... it's fashionable, airy, spatial, with the fleeting explanation of the plot by Roby Rinaldetti, a punchy orchestral space inviting you to travel. 'Dreaming Awake' therefore leaves on a neo-prog shore of good quality, rather prog metal even; Patrick unfolds his text in a contemplative mode with phrasing passages while the sound wanders keyboard-style on a jazzy tune then (re)comes on a neo break where the bass gives rhythm to the step. It rises and recalls the many neo-prog groups of the 80s and 90s not hesitating to merge genres including prog metal; complex title with a heavier last third, fat synths and guitar riffs ahead, the finale is heavy, jerky and hypnotically intoxicating and a symphonic finale with majestic piano, in short superb. 'No Man's Land' arrives dark intro, approaching planes, MARILLION-style pads, cooler keyboards, almost pop; synths you want some, here you go, on a soft THRESHOLD, GALAHAD, COLLAGE, a bit of AOR staleness too with a nervous riff behind and a SAGA- style guitar tune; neo-melodic title with a solo flirting with the intonations of Hassan d'ANGE; the finale resumes with keyboards oozing in the same line. 'Behind The Mirror' or how to think of Mickael JACKSON for a few moments! The heavy riff sets the record straight, it grooves dry; Cédric uses his guitar as a musical weapon by distilling riffs profusely; a much more nervous title that feels good, the crystalline break before leaving; the solo is well done and shows a dexterity that I did not suspect, amazed; a good point which opens the group to different rhythms behind this damn mirror. 'Heavenly Visions' much more rhythmic, its futuristic, modern synth-pop that changes from their original register; the most innovative and attractive in fact, bordering on dancing with yet another juicy riff that makes you nod and come out of your musical blinders. 'Harvest' moving epilogue, the title that I love, short, melancholic, contemplative where the notes ooze the spleen and simply make you dream.

TNNE with life 3.0 stands out from the neo-melodic prog sounds that look alike and merge with each other; a group that dares after many changes to release an ultimately innovative sound between neo, prog metal and soft prog, a musical mix barred, progressive fireworks. TNNE can enter the closed circle of modern groups freeing themselves from the reminiscences of prog dinos, it's good after 25 years of existence, it proves that neo-prog is there and alive.

This is the third album since Luxembourg's No Name reformed as TNNE (The No Name Experience), and it has taken six years since 'Wonderland', as yet again there has been a change in guitarist with the departure of Claudio Cordero (Cast), although in fairness, Cédric Gilis did play on two numbers on the last album, while there is also a new bassist in Stéphane Rosset. This is a concept album where singer Patrick Kiefer has based the lyrics on the book 'Otherland' by Tad Williams, with all music by keyboard player Alex Rukavina (the line-up is completed by drummer Gilles Wagner). Kiefer and Rukavina have been there since the very beginning, strange to think their debut album, 'Zodiac' is now 30 years old.

This is solid neo prog, bringing in some other elements here and there, but allowing the guitar to rock when it needs to while rarely moving firmly into prog metal, although there are some elements of it here and there. It is complex and complicated, but there are times when I wonder if Patrick has taken on too much as some of the lines appear very wordy and it appears he is struggling to get all the story into the abbreviated lyrics. Consequently it is during the instrumental sections where the band have the most power, as Cédric has a very direct approach, and even when he is providing support to Alex there is no chance of him disappearing into the background. It certainly reminds me of some much of the 90's scene, and while IQ are an obvious influence, one can also hear Credo and Galahad, and their influences are much more from the British scene than what was taking place in America. This is an album which stays firmly in neo without ever dropping into melodic rock. Patrick has a wonderful vocal style, the music is great, but I wish they had not decided to use a book as the background for this as a different approach to the words being utilised would have had a better overall result. While I do not believe this is solid an album as 'Wonderland', it is still worth investigating.