At last, we have another belgian band. If such a band is founded, we have to cherish them. One condition, they have to be good, of course. And AmAndA is good, but not always in our style. Sometimes they sound like Jean Jacques Goldman (which means French chanson), sometimes they sound like Klaus Nomi (a male, very high-pitched opera voice), sometimes they use a choir (even with Latin lyrics) and sometimes they are very symphonic (which is good for us). Especially the singer is worth mentioning with his beautiful voice, when he uses his normal voice and his opera voice. (Or are this two different people?).

One thing is for sure, they deliver good quality. If I sometimes criticize them in a negative way, then it’s mostly due to the fact that they are not always playing progrock. Someone who likes French chanson would validate them in a totally different manner.

The song “Le Faux Eveil” starts off with a synthmelody, mixed with the sound of an old vinyl LP. This is one of the songs with a piece of French chanson, followed by a Klaus Nomi part and that ends with a choir. (Recorded in a church in Linkebeek and in Quevaucamps).

“Welcome” is a song with a powerful guitar solo. Better then the first song, but a little bit too poppy for the proglover.

“Qui Est Amanda?” is a question we all have, but this song only brings new questions along. The number has a strong, mysterious built-up, with a lovely piece of synthesizer.

“Les Ailes Du Désir” has a few splendid rhythm-changes. With a rhythm of 4/4, they give you the impression they are playing a waltz. You have to hear it to believe it.

“Falaises” lasts 21 minutes and is the masterpiece of this CD. This song contains everything a symphonic piece needs. It starts with a Fender Rhodes sound, followed by a faster piece with a bombastic choir and synthesizer. After eight minutes a piano starts with a new melody, and the vocals follow with a catchy chorus. The piece “adieu les falaises” is a little bit too much pop. But after that you get a bombastic piece, (which every symphonic music fan must love) followed by a waltz on accordion filled up with the vocals. The waltz changes to a string sound, helped by a synthsolo and a guitar solo to deliver a marvellous piece of symphonic rock. The song ends with a choir. After listening to this song, I’m convinced this band can come up with some goodies in the future, if only they choose the progressive path.
”Gloria Victis” is a song with a choir in Latin. A strong guitar solo and a simple organ melody line make a good song out of this, but it’s being repeated too often.

“La fin d’une histoire” has a blistering start with a guitar solo that creeps down your spine. It has a beautiful melody line with very good vocals.
“Demain” is a rock song with comic parts, a lot of switches between the normal and opera voice (even within the same sentence) and a lot of variation.
“Final” starts with a piece out of the movie “Les Yeux Sans Visage” by Georges Franju followed by the same synthmelody from “Qui Est Amanda”.
This band certainly has potential. I hope that they, after this demo of which 500 numbered copies will appear, will follow the symphony style and I hope they don’t choose any other direction.(in which they are also very good.)
I’m looking forward to hear and see them live. There’s a possibility on October 5th in Linkebeek. (Jeugdhuis Peter Pan – Hoeve Holleken, Hollebeekstraat 212, Linkebeek, Belgium)

Reviewed by : Danny 'Camil' Focke

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Last updated: 03 september 2003 .
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