FANTASIEN 2

The real title of this album is actually "Fantasien 1998". Marge Litch is a Japanese band whose music is somewhere between symphonic and prog metal. I find it a bit hard to categorize them. Some of the songs are more in the symphonic style like the opener "Starting for Adventure", the closer "Fantasien" and the track "Dealing with the Witch". These are also the best tracks in the album in my opinion. The rest of the album falls more in the prog metal genre. This is mostly due to the guitarist Yo[&*!#]eru Yukoyama whose influences are clearly from the prog metal genre. This is also the #1 reason why I dislike this album. Worth noticing is that the singer is female. Despite the English song titles the lyrics are in Japanese.

If I'm not completely mistaken this album is a remake of their debut album "Fantasien" from 1991.

Conclusion: Not a bad effort but this album doesn't get repeated listens from me. You may want to check this if you fancy a mix of symphonic and prog metal.

Actually, the title of this album in FANTASIEN 1998.

Having finally gained much-needed musical skill over the years, Marge Litch revisit the work that they began their digital recording career with. Only this time, they did it right.

I knew when I first heard FANTASIEN that there was a special work kicking and screaming to get out. I was right, this is a wonderful album, full of exciting rock guitar and lush, orchestrated keyboard textures. Junko Sera is in her finest voice ever, her singing brimming over with untold, operatic power, soaring over the music. She has the aid of a choir and Outer Limits singer Tomoki Ueno, adding some male operatics to act as a counterpart to her full-bodied soprano.

While the original FANTASIEN (which is a rare collector's item these days) was more of a luxury for completist collectors, FANTASIEN 1998 is a jewel of symphonic rock, with a profound metal feel. A very underrated album, much recommended.

In 1986 this Japanese band formation started as a hardrock band and they made 3 demos. From 1988 Marge Litch was more influenced by fellow Japanese bands Novela and Starless, both blended symphonic - and hardrock. After another 2 demos Marge Litch released their debut album "Fantasien" in 1991, seven years later we can enjoy a re- recorded version from that debut album. I needed a few session to get into their very varied progrock: classical and symphonic rock (orchestral keyboards), hardrock (heavy guitar riffs) and even opera (the vocals). This unique sound is delivered by good musicians, even the female vocalist (usually Japanese singers do have a bit squeeky voice!) and the compositions (most between 7 and 12 minutes) contains many surprising ideas and a clear sound. The keyboardplay is excellent, in the vein of Toshio Egawa (Novela, Gerard, Scheherazade). The guitarplayer showcases hit talents on the acoustic guitar in "Desire for wealth" (with echoes from John McLaughlin) and on the electric guitar in the captivating track "The sacred war" (a very moving solo). The highlight on this CD is the complex composition "Cruel alternative" featuring splendid keyboards (from majestic Mellotron to sparkling piano) and some great breaks. To be discovered!