Drama. 1995 France

Drama are a French band from the heart of Normandy (between Rouen and Le Havre). Their debut is an all instrumental neo prog outing, that turns out to be quite engaging despite the premise. Imagine the 80s NWOBPR bands such as Lahost, Tamarisk, and even IQ - as all-instrumental concerns. With a little bit of that medieval Minimum Vital sound to boot. That should give you an insight as to what to expect here. Tight, punchy, energetic, and highly melodic songs in the 6 to 7 minute range is what you'll find on Drama. And despite the lengthy track times, nary a dull moment can be found. Mind you, if you're the progressive rock nut who insists on densely charted scores, or need 70s fat analog instrumentation for your musical diet, then I highly suggest you move on past this title. Otherwise if the bands mentioned above light your fire, and modern synthesizers with non-metal 90s guitar tones are welcoming to your ears, then give it a spin. Personally I have a soft spot for music such as this, so it's a keeper.

Ownership: CD: 1995 Musea. Jewel case with booklet.

1995; 2/24/16 (new entry)

Presto Ballet ~ USA ~ Seattle, Washington

Peace Among the Ruins (2005)

Mannn... had this album only been around in 1979, right? Van Halen walks into the studio and jams with Kansas; Uriah Heep listened to Judas Priest and said "hey, let's add a little guitar muscle here and we can do this!"; Styx grew a pair (or James Young took control of the band - whichever). You know you would have waited all night on the radio to hear this - don't deny it! But alas, it's 2005, and it's a thrash metal guy bankrolling it. A guy who happens to have a vintage keyboard fetish. Not progressive rock - noooo (stop it guys!) - but that wonderful late 70s Pomp / AOR sound - with some 80s crunchy guitar to lap it up with. Why not? I'm buying the concept.

Ownership: 2005 InsideOut Europe (CD)

8/27/10; 2/15/16 (acquired / review)

2/15/16 (new entry)

Nebelnest ~ France

Nebelnest (1999)

France's Nebelnest (stylized as NeBeLNeST, which I find annoying to my eyes) hit the progressive rock world by storm in 1999, though it appears - sadly - that they are largely forgotten today. This debut is an incredible document. Imagine Belgium's Present playing the music of... Group 1850. Never has the edgy 80s and 90s merged with the most exciting and experimental psychedelic bands of the late 60s, as well as Nebelnest has achieved here. The two part 'Psykial Trysm' is something really special, and truly surpasses peak experience status. A high water mark for music such as this. Seriously, it has everything from the tribal drumming, to the mellotronic mystique, to the fuzzy Ratledge-styled keyboards, onto epic psychedelic guitar climaxes with a spastic rhythm section blasting it all to the stars. My goodness, what a piece of music! And that's hardly the end of the journey. It's just the beginning actually, and there are many other examples I could point to. This one will leave you breathless. If you are like me, and the idea of late 60s instrumental psych mixed with high energy angular and angry avant prog sounds like a fetching concept, then by all means grab this CD.

Nebelnest carried on for two further albums, though they were much more towards a direct fashion, similar to the aforementioned Present actually (or mid 70s King Crimson if you insist), but leaving behind the late 60s Pink Floyd / Ash Ra Tempel psychedelic Kosmische... unfortunately.

Whatever the case, this debut album will most certainly be rediscovered, and be considered a highlight of the era in which it was released. Might be a few years yet. My guess? The 2030's...

Ownership: 1999 Laser's Edge (CD)

1999 (acquired); 2/14/16 (review); 6/6/21 (update)

Nova Express (2002)

---5/15/11

When Nebelnest first burst onto the scene in 1999, they were a revelation. A mix of aggressive space rock and cosmic 60's Pink Floyd-like sounds, and for me represents one of the best albums of the 1990s. With Nova Express, the band tightened the ship, and were pretty much all aggressive... all the time. Gone were the hazy psychedelic dreams, and its place dark nightmares became predominant. With this shift towards constant intensity, Nebelnest always seems like they're in the middle of the song. So I do miss the build-ups and ultimate release. Very good album, but not to the level of their debut.

---9/15/25

In hearing the album again for the first time in 14 years, I agree with much of my viewpoints from above. I didn't mention, however, the heavy use of mellotron (confirmed to be real). This does soften the edges quite a bit on what could be a very tiresome effort. I also like that the rhythm section is going bonkers throughout. Reminds me a bit of Corima minus the obvious Zeuhl pacing. 

I'm pretty amped up on this title, and going up a half star, which is where I think I started in the first place back when it came out.

Ownership: 2002 Cuneiform (CD). Booklet with recording details. Sports a top ad strip as well.

2002 (acquired); 5/15/11 (review); 9/15/25 (update)

Also own and need to review Zepto.

5/15/11 (new entry)

Hooffoot ~ Sweden

Hooffoot (2015)

Hooffoot are from the southern Swedish city of Malmo, and are an excellent representation of a Swedish progressive rock band... from 40 years ago. Like their forefathers, the band is rooted in jazz, but fascinated with rock. And Latin culture. Sound odd? Not in Sweden would it. So combine Kvartetten Som Sprangde, Sabu Martinez, Ablution, and Mendoza together. Then go back exactly 40 years to one of the all-time Swedish jazz rock greats, and just now being discovered (finally): Berits Halsband. "Oh hello Miles Davis, Kebnekaise, and Flasket Brinner - nice to meet you!". And then enters the room this jumpy, kinetic 90s group called Anglagard (perhaps you've heard of them?). Funnel the lot of them into the blender and grind, mash, grate... Hooffoot. 

Ownership: 2015 Paura di Niente (LP). Gatefold

2/12/16 (acquired / review); 8/3/17; 11/10/25

Also own and need to review The Lights in the Aisle Will Guide You.

2/12/16 (new entry)

Side Steps - Verge of Reality. 2005 Japan

Verge of Reality is Side Steps' last studio album. Starting with 'Roppongi Night', it appeared the band were headed more for tropical waters, like their forefathers before them, with a light and breezy fusion sound typical of the early 80s era for example. But it was a head fake, and the abrasive hard guitar was back on the appropriately named 'Edge Trigger'. 'Parallel Reality' amps it up further and includes a couple of nice breaks adding to the excitement. 'Evergreen' is another mellow track, though ultimately more classy in that 5 star hotel lounge sort of way. Throughout, the synthesizer tones remain a problem, with their Nintendo-like sound, but overall the music is on par with some of Kenso's more fusion oriented works. Not going to change your world, but if looking for a solid jazz fusion album, one could do far worse than Verge of Reality.

---8/28/23 update

At one time I owned 4 albums from Side Steps. This is all that's left, which is their final studio work. Which tells you that this Japanese fusion group is quite well accomplished, but maybe doesn't have that little extra that gets one excited about an album. There are hundreds of fusion albums out there, and a band needs to bring out the creativity cart to gain attention. Side Steps has proven over the years to be very professional and talented. I need more than that. As I look at the original review I wrote, I find myself agreeing with all of it. But there's no more room in the collection for it either.

Ownership: CD: 2005 Musea (France). Jewel case release.

2/8/16 (new entry); 8/28/23 (removal)