It is still in the direction of Greece that we are going with the first LP of 'Guppy Fish' (2014 having seen the release of an EP 'Constant Motion Of Vanity') but in a style quite different from that of 'John "Jargon" Kosmidis', because they offer us imaginative progressive rock that oscillates between tension and relaxation, going from calm moments to others much more energetic and powerful which, for me, gets closer to progressive metal formations like 'Porcupine Tree' or 'Opeth' or even 'Anathema' for the atmospheric side.
'The Fall of Man', after a calm introduction, continues in a heavy atmosphere with heavy guitar riffs and with a slow tempo, the vocals of 'Manos Tzanoudakis' increasing this feeling of heaviness, then,' Easily Played 'accelerates the tempo keeping this impression of powerful atmospheric with alternations in the melodic lines between the beginning, flirting with oriental tones and the powerful end much more melodious with a magnificent guitar solo and 'I Don't Like Your Face', past the atmospheric introduction, is in an energetic progressive rock style with a modern sound but with guitar riffs inherited from the 70s. With 'Exposed', the oriental introduction is beautiful and the continuation offers us a 'Blackfieldian' atmosphere with a heady melody that envelops us thanks to the aerial vocals and with a heavy and powerful final in which is grafted in a beautiful way the electric guitar of 'Kostas Kokkalos', then, 'Still Here', in its first part, is much more direct and less progressive with melodic lines immediately assimilable in a lively tempo led by the piano, but also has, in the 2nd part a remarkable instrumental section much more progressive with a powerful finish. The rest of the album offers us 10 minutes of calm, with first of all 'Neverending Flow', in a calm progressive unrolling a beautiful melody, 'Manos Tzanoudakis' knowing how to soften the vocal section perfectly for this kind of composition, then 'Justify' is a magnificent piano/voice ballad with a slow crescendo which gently brings the electric instruments to the end with some emphasis from the rhythm section to the highlights. It is with the suite 'Above The Sky', that the album ends, with a first part in a rich and sophisticated progressive atmosphere, not necessarily easily tamed at the first listening and mixing rock and metal, then a second part which begins in a calmer way but which alternates different atmospheres throughout the title which makes it a good summary of the opus.
In summary, the Greeks of 'Guppy Fish' offer us a magnificent, rich and imaginative album in a progressive style that requires taking your time to tame it and 'The Fall of Man' is recommended to an informed audience liking formations like 'Porcupine Tree', 'Opeth' or even 'Anathema'... | |
