Rock On! Wednesday, 24 July 2024 – Atoll, Pulsar, Ange, Clearlight & Catharsis

Psychedelic, heavy, prog and more innovating sounds spanning the late 60s and the early 70s – Wednesday April 17th. Dan’s pick of the week: Atoll (L’Araignée-Mal), Pulsar (The Strands of the Future), Ange (Le Cimetière Des Arlequins), Clearlight (Clearlight Symphony) & Catharsis (Best Of – Masq – Les Chevrons – 32 Mars).

Atoll werd opgericht in 1973 in Metz, Frankrijk. De band werd ontbonden in 1981, maar werd verschillende keren terug opgestart. Atoll was een getalenteerd Frans ensemble met een eigen symfonisch geluid had dat de betere aspecten van collega-acts Ange, Pulsar en Mona Lisa combineerde. Hun stijl is erg theatraal van aard en biedt dynamische en melodieuze arrangementen met geweldige songs.

Prog Archives review: “The second album from Atoll. And a pretty big break with the debut album too. Chris Beya is in and I refer to the Atoll interview with him for his views on Atoll. I have now become side tracked so let me get back on track again.

Out is the pure Genesis rip offs and in is a blend of French symph prog (Ange) and Mahavishnu Orchestra’esque like prog rock. There is also some strong King Crimson and Magma elements on this album. The music is complex as in a blend of symph, eclectic and jazz. But there is also some pastoral bits here. The use of violin is a dominant force here. So is the keyboards and there is also some guitars here. The vocals are very good btw.

I would label this album as a symphonic eclectic fusion album. Or as a French prog rock album. The French scene is not like any other scenes and they do their own things. Something I really appreciate. What we ends up with in L’Araignée-Mal is a great album with great songs and musicianship and a lot of intricate details.

L’Araignée-Mal is one of those many great French prog rock albums well worth checking out.”

Wednesday, 24 July 2024 12:00 noon CET Brussels – 11 a.m. GMT London. Repeated: 16:00 & 20:00 hrs CET Brussels, 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. GMT London
Ends: 12 midnight CET Brussels, 11 p.m. GMT London.