FORGOTTEN SUNS - Portuguese prog rock - think Marillion - "Eclectic Earwig Reviews Music and More for You!"
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Forgotten Suns - Fiction Edge 1 (Ascent), (CD, 70:49) GR 003
Galileo Records
P.O. Box 30
9126 Necker
SWITZERLAND

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Marillion would be
overcome with flattery if they ever took the time to listen to Fiction
Edge 1 (Ascent), the new release from Portuguese proggies Forgotten
Suns. To say that the boys from Iberia were a little influenced by the
U.K.-based neo-proggers would be like saying Charlie Sheen likes a cocktail
every now and again. The similarities between this album and Misplaced
Childhood-era Marillion cannot possibly be overlooked, as everything
from song structure to playing styles are seemingly taken lock, stock and
barrel from Marillion. Normally, I would say that this type of worship -
almost plagiarism - is a bad thing, but I must admit that I found myself
enjoying Fiction Edge greatly. Perhaps it's because I miss the old
days of a Fish-led Marillion, and Forgotten Suns helps fill that void.
However, more likely its just because Forgotten Suns are simply good
songwriters and musicians.
There are a few differences between Forgotten Suns and Marillion - for one,
the Portugal-based rockers are more apt to break into a little heavy rhythm
guitar action than their counterparts, and drummer Nuno Senica is quite a
bit more acrobatic on the drum kit than Ian Mosley. But, the differences
literally stop there. You will swear that it's Mark Kelley playing the
keyboards on Creation Points, Steve Rothery-like guitar runs are all over
the place, and the singer Linx even seems to take on a Scottish-brogue on
"The Warning." It may seem I'm overstating the similarities, but it's simply
impossible to ignore while you listen to Fiction Edge.

The subject matter that Forgotten Suns has decided to tackle on this
release - namely, the history of the known universe - is pretty "heavy"
stuff, and the music is peppered with plenty of well-placed sonic
accessories such as spoken word passages, and swirling keyboard samples.
Linx does a nice job in the vocals department, sporting a smooth and
emotional voice reminiscent of slightly more masculine sounding Dennis
DeYoung. As mentioned before, the keyboard is very similar to the work of
Marillion's sometimes spastic, sometimes lush keyboardist Mark Kelly, and
the melodic and emotional guitar work of Ricardo Falcao is an obvious homage
to Rothery. All in all, the instrumental work is quite nice, with extra
kudos going to guitarist Falcao for his showing a wide range of textures in
his playing.

Some of the high points of the album come oddly enough on the short
instrumentals - the 2-minute "Rising" features beautiful orchestral sounds
and chord progressions from Miguel Valadares, and the sub 2-minute "Child"
mixes some innocent and tender piano work with the sound of a baby being
born into the world - very nice stuff. Some of the longer works are
noteworthy as well, "Creation Point" (despite its muddled production) is a
very catchy neo-prog number that features Linx's smooth voice prominently.
"Betrayed, Part II" is another example of the band showing its ability to
produce very emotional, "goose-bumpy" music. However, the band does slip up
a bit on "A Journey" - a 20-minute instrumental that is incredibly
tedious... I would have much rather have had two or three more melodic songs
than this display ok "length for length's sake."

However, other than that one problem, I'd have to have to declare Fiction
Edge 1 quite a success for Forgotten Suns, and I certainly look forward
to future work from these guys. Some folks may take offense at the obvious
derivativeness of the music, but good music is good music no matter how
derivative it may be. And Fiction Edge 1 is simply full of good
music.

- Michael Askounes (michael@gscyclone.com)

TRACKLIST:
1. Big Bang (6:31)
2. Creation Point (6:23)
3. Rising (2:05)
4. Nature (1:08)
5. Child (1:28)
6. The Warning (2:02)
7. Wartime (7:43)
8. A Journey (21:20)
9. Arrival (1:20)
10. Routine (12:19)
11. Betrayed Part II (7:51)

CREDITS"
Linx: Vox, backing vox, piano
Ricardo Falcao: Guitars, backing vox
Miguel Valadares: Keyboard and Synthesizers
Johnny: Bass
Nuno Senica: Drums and Percussion


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