SKEEM - SKEEM - 2001

I got to know Skeem thanks to progarchives by listening to the "stream-song" The last word. I was enthousiastic immidiately mainly because of the great guitar solo. Skeem is not really the best known band in the Netherlands but I had to buy it. Fortunately I found it in some store and found out the rest was just about of the same quality. The one song that stands out from the rest to me is "Chrysalides" which is one of the best songs I know.

The other songs are hardly any less and so this is almost a perfect album to me. Great melodies and superb instrumental performances and that combined with my great love for the neo progressive genre forces me to give this the full 5 stars.

Unfortunately I don't know too much


What a delightful little surprise (though I purchased this in large part due to the PA stream of "The Last Word" which left me "word"less), a shimmering set of attractive prog pieces (set in the "neo" camp), led by the Barbaro brothers Serge and Benny, aided and abetted by the Priam rhythm section (fellow French band known for a more heavy prog-fusion style). The vocals are absolutely first rate, in fact some of the best ever recorded from France, Serge owning a strong and vivid set of pipes that resonate a sense of purpose and passion. All the remaining tracks are first rate, with exceptional playing: densely fluid keyboards, expressive lead guitar leads and supremely tight bass and drums. The cover art is sublime, the production remarkable and the 8 tracks are never below 6 minutes or over 10, so it's an evenly paced package that is hard to slam or dislike. Seemingly all of my fellow PA reviewers agree: this is a fine, fine example of Neoprog done right. Looking forward to another future release. 5 planetes
http://www.progarchives.com