NOSTIMON HEMAR

"Nostimon Hemar" is the latest album from this Greek progressive power rock band who have carefully written an epic 70 minute concept album. Again fronted by the caressing vocal prowess of Ima and the neoprog resonating supporting 4 piece band they set out to tell a musical epic Greek odyssey concept album as seen thru the eyes of Greek poet Konstantinos Kavafis (1863-1933). With a high degree of musical composure and a keen and special sense of magic La TULIPE NOIRE have released another excellent symphonic progressive album. Musically this band draw allusions to the likes if MARILLION, PALLAS and IQ but are still able to carve out their own unique place in my musical collection. Although highly symphonic in nature thanks to Hyde's keyboards this album also features some standout guitar, bass and percussive moments. Perhaps the strongest track on the album is "Polyphemus" which offers both power and symphonic delicacy. For those willing to try to experiment a bit with some less known new prog bands should check this act out and "Nostimon Hemar" would be a fine place to start.

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Posted Thursday, March 16, 2006 | Review this album | Report (Review #72089)

This is the most recent release from these Greek Neo Proggers. If your into concept albums this is a very ambitious concept about a Greek odyssey as seen through a Greek poet's eyes. Each track is written about in detail in the liner notes so you can follow along.The band has changed their sound somewhat, becoming heavier but this is still Neo-Prog in case you were wondering.Usually when a band becomes heavier I like them better, but that's not always the case and this is a good example. I still hold their album "Shattered Image" up as my absolute favourite by them.

"Anakrourssis" is the instrhumental intro track that opens with atmosphere before kicking in just before a minute. It's heavier 2 1/2 minutes in. A calm a minute later with atmosphere as it blends into "Oenops Pontos". It starts to build and we get vocals for the first time after a minute.This sounds really good.These first two tracks are my favourites. "Lotus Eaters" kicks in with vocals quickly but the tempo shifts a lot on this one. Catchy stuff. "Polyphemus" opens with keys and synths as reserved vocals join in. It kicks in before 2 minutes fairly heavily. Piano and spoken words after 3 1/2 minutes. It kicks back in heavily 4 1/2 minutes in.Great sound before 6 minutes. "Circe" opens with atmosphere before becoming synth and vocal led.The organ is prominant after 4 minutes and the guitar follows.

"Tiresias" opens with atmosphere then it kicks in. "Nissos Sirinon" has a catchy rhythm but overall i'm not a fan. "Scylla And Charybdis" builds with vocals. It's nice and heavy before 3 minutes before it lightens with piano. "Calypso" has the focus on the vocals and it's fairly laid back. It does get fuller at times and we get some brief guitar late. "Phaeacia" opens with piano then vocals and a fuller sound follows. "Ithaca" is not the best closing track i've heard but it's okay.

A good album no doubt, but for me it's not a 4 star record. If your into concept albums in the heavy Neo-Prog style you'll want to check this out.

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Posted Wednesday, April 6, 2011 | Review this album | Report (Review #428572)

La Tulipe Noire's preceding albums had been undistinguished pieces which had garnered them a reputation as a Marillion clone band - and not even a particularly interesting Marillion clone at that. So, imagine how surprised I was at the jump in quality evident on Nostimon Hemar; the combination of top-notch production values, tighter performances and composition, and ageless subject matter (Homer's Odyssey) works wonders on the band's sound. Whilst they do still show a powerful Marillion influence, this time around they are at least doing something interesting with that approach and are finally showing a distinct personality of their own. I do hope the band get around to producing more material after this, because I'm sure they'll do better now that they've finally come into their own.

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Posted Sunday, April 1, 2012 | Review this album | Report (Review #702262)

I don't understand why this album is so high rated and why this band changed their old style becoming heavier almost metal. The metal sound is present in too much songs and in my opinion this ruin the catchy melodies you was used to listen in their previus album, although this makes the sound much ... (read more)

Report this review (#373098) | Posted by Aragon | Wednesday, January 5, 2011 | Review Permanlink

"Nostimon Hemar" is a concept work based on the struggles of Odysseus to return to Ithaca. The band sees this tale as an allegory of current events in the world, as the famous Greek poet Konstantinos Kavafis,described in an excellent way, to his poem "Ithaca". I think that if the poet,could lis ... (read more)

Report this review (#218098) | Posted by inrainbows | Sunday, May 24, 2009 | Review Permanlink

The fourth and latest long play of La Tulipe Noire is their most ambitious by far, making a great difference to their previous early-Marillion-alike music. It's a thematic album telling a story from ancient Greece: Odyssey is an allegory. The basic concept behind the poem is the quest. Odysseus i ... (read more)

Report this review (#165638) | Posted by Nilman | Friday, April 4, 2008 | Review Permanlink

Here is a fine neo-prog album from a Greek band with a french name (strange brew but it work). The music is maybe a bit like ARENA but with a female vocalist who sound like a female BRIAN FERRY (ROXY MUSIC). It's a concept album of about 70 min, base on the Greek odyssey(ULYSSE). Dont worry IMA si ... (read more)

Report this review (#83310) | Posted by pots | Monday, July 10, 2006 | Review Permanlink

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