III MILÊNIO - Symphonic Prog • Brazil

III Milênio biography (http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1128)

This South American quintet was first noticed by French magazine "Harmonie". They were also the first Brazilian band to sign with French label Musea. Shunned by the local fans who strongly criticized their vocalist, they nevertheless had some success abroad and recorded an interesting concept album in 1990, arranged in an opera format, with "acts" and "scenes". The original release on a small label covered "Act 1" whereas the recent Musea edition offers some 20+ minutes of extra material, namely "Act 2".

Melodically and instrumentally, the album "Aliança dos Tempos" alternately evokes bands such as SOLARIS, SAGRADO CORAÇÃO DA TERRA and various symphonic Italian bands; it features equal parts of energetic sequences and smooth, melodic passages. The vocalist more or less successfully impersonates the various characters of the story (his wheezy raspings can be a bit grating, especially if you don't understand the Portuguese lyrics). The production is not quite up to the mark but the compositions are inspired and the keyboards, deftly handled by guest musician Fábio Ribeiro (BLEZQI ZATSAZ, DESEQUILIBRIOS, ANGRA), bear a dramatic Emerson/Wakeman touch that suits the concept.

Fans of SAGRADO and of Italian bands such as BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO, BIGLIETTO PER L'INFERNO or QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA may want to check them out.

Aliança Dos Tempos - Act One Tawan

BY MAGAL