'Protean Circus' is an Italian band that was born in 2016 and released their first album 'Rhymes in the Voice of River' which is inspired by Breton legends but at first listen, we find different influences between rock and hard- rock with symphonic and progressive components and they are part of the tradition of Italian bands like 'Premiata Forneria Marconi' (see their latest album here) but also are influenced by the main bands of progressive music of the 70’s. From the first title 'Ancient Rhymes', we are embarked in almost 8 minutes of progressive music, cut into several parts with breaks of rhythms and melodic lines. Follows 'The Vision', which starts in acoustics and unfolds a beautiful melody with a memorable chorus like 'Whisper' which is a semi-acoustic ballad. With 'Wild Waves', the pace is accelerating and the guitar game makes me think of the first 'Dire Straits', then, 'Deception is Revealed' is in a hard-rock in the style of the 70s with a beautiful instrumental part very unbridled in the second part mixing jazz, rock and hard-rock. The following makes us return to a calm atmosphere with 'Imprisoned' which grows in power on the end, then, 'Alone' is much more progressive in the approach with first a rhythmic with breaks of tempos and a crescendo at the end of the title and which becomes again calmly and which takes again the theme of departure on the end. The progressive aspect is also present in 'The Land of Fortress' which despite its rather short duration is built in several parts and alternates moods folk and rock and finishes on an instrumental part whith beautifull keyboards and guitar solos, then, 'The End of the King' is an energetic and catchy title flirting once again with hard-rock but the main title of the album is without context the final 'A Mild Immortal Nymph of River' which summarizes well the album and who embarks us for a progressive and symphonic saga of more than 12 minutes with several interlocking parts and a masterful final solo, in short, the title which includes all the ingredients that every amateur of progressive researches and which gives an irresistible desire to repress the play button when the last note sounds. In summary, the Italians of 'Protean Circus' release a first album varied and full of good surprises, which should make them known fairly quickly in the progressive sphere because 'Rhymes in the Voice of River' is to advise to all lovers of a progressive and accessible rock... | |
