APOCALYPSE ProgRock band

The famous Brazilian symphonic progressive rock band Apocalypse was formed in 1983 and was influenced by such bands as Genesis, Yes, ELP and Rush. Chico Casara (vocals/bass), Ruy Fritsch (guitar), Eloy Fritsch (keyboards), and Chico Fasoli (drums). Refúgio is the seventh album by this Brazilian symphonic band Apocalypse make a great brand of symphonic rock with synthezisers, hammond, sampler, guitar, drums and emotional vocals! Apocalypse produce some strong material such as the epic Cachoeira das Aguas Douradas, which has some great Pink Floyd-style soloing and well-worked symphonic touches, whilst America do Sul (clearly influenced by Marillion, IQ and Pendragon) is well constructed in the build up, with a strong, harmony laden chorus. There is also a very Southamerican feel about the music, it lies in the percussion and of course the vocals. These vocals have the emotionality of the Italian bands the vocal part is quite nice and distinctive, the organ parts are also warm and symphonic. The song Amazonia is a slow symphonic track with a marimba and percussion intermezzo with vocals. The sound is more distinctive on this one, which is a good thing. The vocals strongly intertwine, the vocal lines are good and varied. The conclusion is both optimistic and bombastic. Liberdade opens with very catchy keyboards, almost in italo style. But then the song turns out to be quite an aggressive rocking affair. Quite a surprise and it works out well too. The CD also has two great bonus tracks, Último Horizonte (Live In USA, bonus) and Terra Azul (Live in USA, bonus)!