Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography

CASTLE IN THE AIR

Negasphere

Symphonic Prog


From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Negasphere Castle in the Air album cover
3.31 | 7 ratings | 2 reviews | 0% 5 stars

Write a review

Buy NEGASPHERE Music
from Progarchives.com partners
Studio Album, released in 1984

Songs / Tracks Listing

A
1. Gear of Cosmos
2. Beyond Love
3. Another Dawn is Breaking/
B
1. Holy Ground Ceremony
2. At the Last Moment

Line-up / Musicians

Majima Hiroyoshi/ guitar ,vocal
Sugano Shiro/ electric drums
Kawasaki Kaoru/ synthesizer,organ solo on B-2
Yata Toru/ piano ,keyboard,synthesizer solo on A-1
Tokutake Hiroshi/ bass,orchestration on A-1

Thanks to AtomicCrimsonRush for the addition
Edit this entry

Buy NEGASPHERE Castle in the Air Music



NEGASPHERE Castle in the Air ratings distribution


3.31
(7 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(0%)
0%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(43%)
43%
Good, but non-essential (43%)
43%
Collectors/fans only (14%)
14%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

NEGASPHERE Castle in the Air reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by apps79
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
3 stars Among the lesser known names of the Japanese prog scene, Negasphere started in 1977 under the guidance of bassist/keyboardist Kawasaki Kaoru.In 1981 they were joined by Majima Hiroyoshi and Kaoru devoted himself only to the keyboard parts.Reputedly the band had a self- titled live cassette out around the time.Problems with the line-up prevented the band from recording an official LP and the problem was solved with the addition of ex-Mahojin Sugano Shiro on drums, Yata Toru on keys and Tokutake Hiroshi on bass.Finally a LP entitled ''Castle in the Air'' saw the light in 1984 on L.L.E. Records.

The sound of Negasphere was exactly in the middle of GENESIS-inspired mellow Symphonic Rock and the more fiery Symph/Fusion style of U.K. with good arrangements, extended instrumental parts but also a very mediocre recording quality.The band keeps a nice balance between vocal moments and long professional instrumental sections and there is always a mood for changing themes throughout.So a calm, mostly symphonic section with dreamy keyboard work and sensitive guitar parts is often followed by sharp and often double synth attacks, dynamic interplays and powerful grooves with an evident HOLDSWORTH edge on the guitar solos and a sound close to WAPPA GAPPA or MONGOL.Vocals were never the strong point of Japanse bands and Negasphere make no exception.Still the lyrics are sung in English with a bearable performance by Hiroyoshi.The biggest flaws come from the below average production and the plastic sound of electric drumming.

A very rare record by Negasphere yet a recommended release for fans of 80's Japanese Prog and all those who love the combination of 70's Classic Prog with Fusion.

Latest members reviews

4 stars NEGASPHERE "Castle in the air", taking in consideration the only review posted in P A and 4 ratings in total, the simple conclusion is : This Japanese Band is unknown for the most of P A community on the contrary of similar bands of the same country, as for instance NOVELA, TERU'S SYMPHONY ( le ... (read more)

Report this review (#1592729) | Posted by maryes | Friday, July 29, 2016 | Review Permanlink

Post a review of NEGASPHERE "Castle in the Air"

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.