Apocalypse - Aurora Dos Sonhos

Year of Release: 1996
Label: Musea Records
Catalog Number: FGBG 4171.AR
Format: CD
Total Time: 53:53:00

One year after their debut Perto Do Amanhecer, this Brazilian outfit has closely studied all of the criticism that was written regarding their first album. As a result you get a very stunning album comprising only six, but much longer, tracks in which you can hear their various influences.

The line-up hasn't changed and they have opted to use the same producer as well in order to create their very own sound. The exotic nature of the Portugese singing together with the acoustic intervals creates a music which can be seen in the same vein as the best Italian prog such as PFM and Quella Vecchia Loccanda. Unfortunately they don't use any guest musicians to add an extra flavour such as violin or flute. They have used flute and violin at the end of the 13-minute long "Ultimo Horizonte" though, but I'm sure it's the sound of a synth I'm hearing! To compensate for this lack of instrumentation, they have introduced various breaks and rhythm changes that give way to various solos, of which the keyboards make up the bulk. Again the Wakeman influence is very much present, especially in the sound of the Moog-synthesizer which sounds like Wakeman at his peak.

Also I should tell you that the sound of the drums is much better here than on their previous effort. "A Um Passo Da Eternidade' is an instrumental that can almost be called classical. There's a piano and a very nice acoustic guitar before the piano takes over once again, leading into some inventive "water-noises" that introduce further spectacular sounds. 'Do Outro Lado Da Vida' offers some nice harmonies and soothing passages before heavy guitar leads take you in another direction. The final track "Vindo Das Estrelas" is full of breaks and wonderful solos, although I must underline the weak vocal performance here.

With this new album Apocalypse has put the Marillion "soundalike" comparison aside in order to find their own identity. I'm convinced that their third album will be a stunner, but I would like to recommend the use of guest musicians to add little extras to their otherwise outstanding music (real violin, real flute, harp, cello, you name it). Also I would love to hear at least one song in English so as to have an idea of their international radiation. Meanwhile I'm sure that all lovers of good symphonic rock will spend a nice hour going through these six compositions, and who knows, maybe one day the band will get the opportunity to record together with a huge symphonic orchestra like O Ter?o did on their Live At The Palace album. Now that would be something!

Tracklisting:
Jamais Retornarei (6:23) / Em Apenas Um Segundo (6:34) / Ultimo Horizonte (12:54) / A Um Passo Da Eternidade (9:52) / Do Outro Lado Da Vida (9:57) / Vindo Das Estrelas (12:13)

Musicians:
Chico Casara - vocals, bass
Ruy Fritsch - guitars
Eloy Fritsch - synthesizer, organ, piano, backing vocals
Chico Fasoli - drums, electronic percussion

Discography:
Apocalypse (1991)
Perto Do Amanhecer (1995)
Aurora Dos Sonhos (1996)
Lendas Encantadas (1997) The Best Of Apocalypse (1998)
Live In USA (2000) Refugio (2003)
Magic (2004)
Live In Rio (2007)

Live In Rio (DVD) (2007)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin BR

Added: March 27th 2001
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website: www.apocalypseband.com
Hits: 2101
Language: english