WELCOME TO PARADISE

The previous one ("Virtual Sun") was a good come back and I have to say that this one is not bad either. Well in-line with their hard pop orientation which they have played for a very long time now.

Ballads are not forgotten either and in this respect, it is pretty clear that the band wanted to release another "Rope Dancer" with "Wild As The Wind". A great slow, full of harmony, poetry. Mario is excellent in his emotional interpretation. I really like this track. Almost on par with its illustrious predecessor.

The opening number was also in the same vein, but less catchy. But it is difficult to match the melody of "Wild". A little later in the album, "Brethe" is also a melancholic song. Maybe a bit too much. It features lots of keys and no drumming. "The Real Show" and "Save My Soul" are my least favourite ones (the latter featuring Marc as the lead vocalist...).

The harder edge is back with "You're The Woman" which is still played in concerts. This is a good sign for "new" songs from "old" bands. A very good rock number followed with an average (heavy / bluesy "You're The Woman" sorry Marc, I know you're found of blues).

One of my fave "wild" number is the very good "Take All The Moments". This song also features some aerial vocals and very good drumming interplay. But the core of the song has a solid beat. I can tell you that while played live, it is rocking jolly good.

The heavy metal "Out Of You" has definite reminiscence of Led Zep (as highlighted already by Brondune). But it is well known that Marc Ysaye is an absolute Led Zep fan : his prior band was called "Moby Dick" (in which Roland was also playing) and as a radio director he did programme them quite a lot on the Belgian airplay. He was one of the lucky bast.s to get an invitation to the O2 show recently... Another good song from "Welcome To Paradise".

The last energetic piece is "Clown". Not the best one, to be honest.

The band is also signing two longer compositions (over seven minutes) which allows for more investigation but "Killing Life" is more a collage of several passages, not truly convincing. Only the last instrumental keyboard section deserves to be mentioned. A bit flat.

The closing "So Long", is of another caliber. A tribute song to their friend Pierre Rapsat who had passed away in 2002 (he is an important Belgian artist who played in "Jenghiz Khan" before his solo career). Mario is at his best (once again should I say). Emotion is sweating throughout his vocal part; the melody is very good and the instrumental part is so subtle : Hervé plays a major role again on the piano. When you listen to this song, you are of transported into their old (prog) repertoire.

A trip back some twenty-five years ago. A great emotional moment indeed and IMO, the best track from this album and one of their most polished ever.

All in all, this album is a good surprise although Thierry Plas (lead guitar) is maybe not enough on the forefront. Three stars.