GENESISOMANIA |
 |
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|||||||
Asgard-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ниже приведены кратенькие ревюшки на альбомы ASGARD. Вокалист Cicco Grosso совершенно не похож ни На Fish(a) ни на Gabriel(я). Иногда интонации проскакивают Фишевские, но по тембру ничего общего. Тем не менее для меня Cicco Grosso является одним из лучших вокалистов в арт роке. Его не подражаемое, эмоциональное пение не имеет аналогов, ну разве что можно по эмоциональности сравнить с Aluisio Maggini из группы Clepsydra. Вокал, ну просто БОЖЕСТВЕННОЙ красоты! Музыка группы так же мало общего имеет с Mariliion. Если и есть влияние Genesis/Marillion то очень и очень не значительное. Асгард имеют свой, ни на кого не похожий стиль. Таких групп как Асгард не было, и к сажалению не будет. Первых три диска выше всяких похвал. Диск Imago Mundi совершенно не похож на первых три и напоминает скорее всего группу Saga. Может быть из-за того, что музыка упростилась, группу покинул чудо вокалист Cicco Grosso и гитарист Massimo Michiletto.(недавно узнал, что они появились в группе INES ) После выхода этого неудачного диска, группа распалась. И лишь в 2000 году Асгард выпустили очередной диск Drachenblut Специальная благодарность Marco Polo (Anubis) за переводы с английского -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Далее ревюшки GNOSIS Часть 1. "Arkana" - это третий релиз итальянской группы неопрогрессива Асгард. Их звук мощен и грандиозен, очень симфоничен, с претенциозным вокалом, легко меняющим настроение и почти шизофренически динамическими кульбитами. В целом, их музыкальный материал полон чувств и эмоций, часто неземной, а также очень целенаправленный и всегда мрачный (хотя я никогда по-настоящему не вслушивался в содержание текстов). Тексты на английском языке. Вокалист не входит в число незаурядных и остальные члены группы скорее хорошо поддерживают, чем хоронят его. Продолжительные инструментальные пассажи демонстрируют способность группы на грубую силу, мелодические связки и изящную сдержанность, когда это требуется. В их звуке есть намёк на готику, но честно говоря, эти ребята необыкновенны. Во всяком случае для тех, кто знаком с предыдущими двумя альбомами Асгарда "Gotterdamerung" (1991) и "Esoteric Poem" (1992), этот релиз показывает группу, осваивающую новые музыкальные территории и делающую новые прорывы в каждом навороте и пассаже на протяжении всех 74-ёх минут своего альбома. Я полагаю, он станет их лучшим произведением. (Впервые опубликовано в Exposé #1, стр.9; издано для Gnosis 1/19/01) ********************** Arkana is the third offering from the Italian neo-progressive band Asgard. Their sound is full of power and grandeur, very symphonic, with affected vocals, shifting moods and almost schizophrenic dynamic changes. Overall, their material is full of feeling and emotion, oft-times ethereal, yet very directed and always dark (although I haven't really sat down and given the lyrics close scrutiny). Lyrics are in English. The vocalist is nothing short of exceptional, and the rest of the band supports him well, rather than burying him. The extended instrumental passages show a band capable of producing raw power, melodic cohesion, and subtle restraint when needed. Their sound hints of gothic, but to be fair, these guys are pretty unique. Anyway, for those who may be familiar with Asgard's two previous releases Gotterdamerung (1991) and Esoteric Poem (1992), this release shows the band expanding out into some new musical territory, breaking new ground at every twist and turn in the album's 74 minutes. I believe this to be their best effort. (Originally published in ExposЁ¦ #1, p. 9, Edited for Gnosis 1/19/01) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Автор: Майк Маклэтчи. 28 апреля 2001. Esoteric Poem / Arkana / Imago Mundi Асгард - это интересный феномен в неопрогроке. Они подверглись влиянию Мэриллион, Ай-Кью и Педрагон, а также, кажется по большей части, что они избегают значительной доли коммерческого налёта, что присутствует в этих группах и у их последователей. В дебютном "Gotterdammerung" (WMMS 007) Асгард выступили как мрачный вариант лучшего из раннего Мэриллион с интересными готическими вокальными вступлениями. В основном их музыка спокойна и слегка симфонична, при этом их вокалист поёт "под" Гэбриэля и Фиша, причём делая это лучше многих. Ничего потрясающего (они не отступают ни на шаг в сторону и не меняют динамики), но тем не менее прилично. "Esoteric Poem" (WMMS 009), первый из их двух альбомов, выпущенных в 1992 году, продолжает стиль их дебюта, но с большей уверенностью в себе и гладкостью форм. Опять не шедевр, но по крайней мере, в стороне от заскоков, присущих группам такого типа. Много в нём хорошего и приятного симфонизма с задумчивым готическим привкусом. "Arkana" (WMMS 018) стала вершиной достижений Асгарда, на которой присутствует больше интересной динамики да пара ритмических рисунков, двигающих музыку вперёд. К сожалению, их только пара на протяжении 70-ти с лишним минут. Остальное - вялотекущее действо. В целом, вполне хорошо и рекомендуется фанам неопрогрока. ( В оригинале представлена, как часть "Новой рок-сцены итальянского прогрессива - часть 2", Exposé #4, страница 9. Издано для Gnosis 4/28/01). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike McLatchey 28-April-2001 Esoteric Poem / Arkana / Imago Mundi Asgard are an interesting phenomenon for a neo-progressive. They are influenced by Marillion, IQ and Pendragon, yet they seem to (for the most part) avoid most of the insipid commercialism that affects some of the music of those bands and many of their adherents. On their debut, Gotterdammerung (WMMS 007), Asgard come off as a darker variant on the best of early Marillion with an interesting gothic vocal introduction. Most of their music is very laid back and softly symphonic, and while their singer does have many allusions to Gabriel and Fish, he does it much better than most. Nothing amazing (they don't pick up the pace or vary the dynamics enough) but nice nonetheless. Esoteric Poem (WMMS 009) is the first of their two albums released in 1992 and is a continuation of the style on their debut with a more confident and streamlined approach. Again, not a masterpiece but at least they stay away from the bounciness that hurts most bands of this type. Much of it is good mellow symphonic with a brooding gothic feel to it. Arkana (WMMS 018) was the peak of Asgard's achievements to this point as there are more interesting dynamics with some up beat moments that do much to move the music. Unfortunately, there's only a couple of these during the duration of the 70 plus minutes and a lot of it drags. Overall, quite good and recommended to fans of neo-progressive. (originally reviewed as part of The New Italian Progressive Rock Scene - Part 2, ExposЁ¦ #4, p. 9, Edited for Gnosis 4/28/01) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Links for further information GNOSIS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Italian band with english vocals. Their sound is full of power and grandeur, very symphonic, with affected vocals, shifting moods and almost schizophrenic dynamic changes. Overall, their material is full of feeling and emotion, ofttimes ethereal, yet very directed and always dark. Start with Arkana and work backwards. The vocalist is nothing short of exceptional, and the rest of the band supports him well, rather than burying him. The extended instrumental passages show a band capable of producing raw power, melodic cohesion, and subtle restraint when needed. Comparisons ? Sometimes I hear echoes of some great 70's Italian bands like PFM, Raccomandata RR, Island, and others, yet the vocalist reminds a little of Aragon, Galadriel or Mugen, sort of gothic, but to be fair, these guys are pretty unique. Asgard are an Italian progressive group who are proponents of the neo-progressive sound. Götterdämerung is very Marillion -influenced, ranging from the symphonic guitar/keyboard music to the dramatic vocal stylings. The music is pretty well constructed, with all the hallmarks of the "prog" sound, churning chords, variations in moods, broadly conceptual lyrics (in English), etc. and would make a worthwhile addition to the collections of those who are interested in the new progressive scene. Arkana is the band's third and includes vocals (in English), guitars, keyboards, bass, drums and flute. The style is a melodic rock that obviously evokes recent British bands. The tracks are based on strong vocal presence and simple but varied and very dramatic arrangements. Their progressive development features various intensity levels; from rich ballads to a more rock sound that occasionally gets a bit raw. Guitars and solid rhythms set the tone while the keyboards insure the symphonic touch. As suggested by the presentation, themes have a dark mythical flavour that evokes the middle-ages. -- Paul Charbonneau ***************************************************** Post immigrant365 from forums Progressiveears I used to have all 4 Asgards before they broke up in '93 and went through the rest of the 90's without a new album until "Drachenblut" in 2000. Very interesting band and very misunderstood. (I now have only the last 2, Arkana and Imago Mundi but would like to own Esoteric Poem again) First of all, the 4 albums they put out in 90, 91, 92 & 93 all saw them growing and improving with each album. Their very first "Gotterdammerung" isn't my favorite, as the album finds them trying to find a signature style and falling in the middle of everything with only neo-prog to label it. But "Esoteric Poem" (1991) is a work of art. It is one 36 minute song with many quiet, moody passages of poetry recital set to a rich but soft symphonic rock background. Kikko Grosso's vocals are so soft they are hard to distinguish here but musically they improved over their freshman effort. EP is not a party music album- it's very much a late night, personal, lights on low album. Its subtle qualities will reward the patient listener. In '92 Asgard took it up another notch with "Arkana". Yes, the lyrics are somewhat cryptic, but understanding them is not hard if you take the time (their website explains much of that). Their whole philosophy uses ancient runes and the search for self through struggle with nature and the inner soul, and they actually moved to Germany to live out in the country/forests to escape from the materialistic city life and find inspiration for their music. Deep stuff for sure. Arkana was their most coherent effort to date, if you can get past the long (5 to 10 minute) passages of quiet acoustic guitar w/ light keyboard/vocal accompaniment. Ancient tales of dragons and lords and courage are the themes here, and the band tightens up as a unit on this release. They begin to sound like Asgard and no one else, although many people compare Grosso's vocals to Gabriel or Fish. It should be noted that Grosso is Italian just like the rest of the band, but he sings in English, which can sound a bit awkward at times with his accented vocals. This one fact may have alienated some listeners. Not me. And he improved with each album. In '93 it all came together for "Imago Mundi". Many bands long for that one defining moment that sums up everything they are and makes a statement that leaves no doubt as to their mastery over their craft. Imago Mundi is that statement for Asgard. The concept album is BACK! The story is about a man (symbolizing any one of us) who travels across an ancient land in search of enlightenment and who faces incredible trials and adversity along the way. The songs represent aspects of human character: adventure, justice, violence, virtue, fortitude, serenity, disharmony, and so forth... But the final piece isn't exactly a Hollywood ending... This album is a masterpiece. The compositions are incredibly diverse, the playing tight and passionate, the singing full of clarity and power, the energy high. There are times I'm reminded of Genesis in their best days with the keyboards creating a wall of sound that moves the music with a cinematic sweep, the guitars crunch with a metallic hammer but never overpower the music, the drums propel the songs like a tank but never drown anything out... Everything just works on Imago Mundi. If any of that sounds worthwhile to you, then do yourself a favor and just buy this album. I'm very particular about what stays in my collection and what I actually listen to on a regular basis, and I will never get rid of Asgard "Imago Mundi". Anyone who puts this album down as mere neo-prog simply has not listened to it enough. Kikko Grosso Max Micheiletto Chris Bianchi d' Espinosa Alberto Ambrosi Marco Ferrero That is THE unit for this band, and it will never be duplicated again. They finally reunited (without the singer and some key members) and put out "Drachenblut" (dragon's blood) in 2000. I was disappointed. In fact, the singer absolutely sucked. It's bands like Asgard that are uniformly dismissed because they are automatically labeled neo-prog drivel before even giving them a good critical listen. They were head and tails above most of the neo-prog wankers I've heard. Check them out or don't. But if you miss out at least I warned you not to. *** This post was edited by immigrant365 on 9/14/2003. *** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GEPR | |||||||
| На Главную Форум(закрытый режим) нужна регистрация! На главную INES-vocalist & guitarist ex ASGARD Архив Форума(открытый для просмотра) На краткие обзоры дисков | |||||||
| |||||||
