Best Song Oriented Prog CD in the past 5 Years!!
07/19/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I chanced upon this band by hearing one of their songs (Strange Behaviour) off of a sampler CD. Their music is mostly beyond comparison, but to give a suggestion of who they might be similar to, think of Marillion (Seasons End CD, but the best from that - like "Easter") Yes, Genesis, the best moments from IQ and Pendragon, and you're getting close. This band is unique in their emphasis on strong melodies, perfect chord progressions and fantastic arrangements of the songs. They have beautiful female vocals and out of this world vocal harmony and arrangements, Wakeman style keys, emotional and moving (and quite fast yet tasteful) guitar (both lead and acoustic) and just perfect bass and drums. Songs are mostly in the 5 to 7 minute range, and the closer, clocking in at 10:30, is comparable to an epic of Yes or Genesis song writing and performance quality at their best moments. Sound production is perfect - and I'm quite hard to please in that area. Recording captures the dynamics wonderfully - from the quiet moments of piano and vocals to the bombastic peaks with full band and bass pedals! CD comes packaged with a 20 page CD booklet on high quality paper and includes lyrics, etc. I'm now going to buy their entire backlog (3 CDs and 2 DVDs) All can be ordered from their secure web site (or via syn-phonic off the web - where I got mine) or of course, here at Amazon. Go ahead - take the chance!! I've sent an e-mail to the band to let thewm know how much I enjoy their music, and if I could help market this band in the US, I'd do it for free - they're just that good!!"
Best album of Prog Rock with female vocal since Anie Haslam
Pedro R. Leon Arceo | Monterrey. NL Mexico | 03/02/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's very gratefull to see how the women take part in the world of Progressive Rock more each day. The only woman that i remember that had an very remarkable presence into the progressive rock is Annie Haslman of REINAISSANCE (you can listen in albums like Novella and Scheherazade). Actually there are more female vocalist as Tracy Hitchings or Lana Lane. Whatever if there is a band with a great potencial to arrive at the top of the bests bands of progressive Rock with a female vocalist is KARNATAKA. This band contains the best female vocalist in the last 3 awards of the CLASSIC ROCK SOCIETY, the beautiful RACHEL JONES (and with this masterpiece surely she will go for the 4th). Imagine Enya singing with Marrillion (and a little of Fleetwood Mac) in his best times and you can have an idea of the Music of Karnataka. Very Melodic, softly and the same time powerfull, excellent composition and production, a great perfomance of the musicians and the hipnotizing and very sweet voice of Rachel. This album undoubtedly will be in my top THREE of the best albums of this year. I'm fan of the progressive rock since 27 years. I know what i say you. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDABLE IF YOU LIKE THE SYMPHONIC PROGRESSIVE ROCK, ENYA, MARRILION, PINK FLOYD, GENESIS, YES, PENDRAGON, IQ, PALLAS, SAGA, TRIUMVIRAT, MOSTLY AUTUMN, MYLENE FARMER OR ASIA. RATE 9.0 (10 is God)."
Enya meets Yes
thefumigator | Montevideo, Uruguay | 08/12/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is outstanding, I was waiting for something like this, I needed something like this. Its just the progressive rock we all know, but with ambient pads and angelical chorus voices like Enya. Catchy, very complicated sound layerings and melodies. There are some harsh electric guitars sounds, as well as some acoustics sweetness. Drumbeats are ok, nothing too outstanding, pads made by synths are really strong and nice
On the downside I think the album overall is too balladistic, there are no dark or frenetic fast parts, and also it could be more hard in my opinion, as guitar solos are too simplistic, but it seems its the nature of the band. But who doesn't want an extraordinary solo like the closening part from Arena "the visitor"? you won't find that here... But anyway, it depends on the taste. To me this album is a very good listen.
Another band I recommend (much heavier than this one, but overall more catchy) is Leaves' Eyes and the album I recommend from them is Lovelorn."