INTERPOSE (E)

The Japanese band Interpose creates traditional symphonic rock on their eponymous album. The classic line-up, the limited female vocals by Sayuri Aruga and the music remind me of bands like Outer Limits or Pageant. Kenji Tanaka (guitars), Katsu Satu (drums), Toshiyuki Koike (bass) and Kyuji Yonekura play together in regular intervals since the eighties. There are some jazz-rock influences, especially in the instrumental passages, but the first track is a beautiful progressive piece - until Aruga’s vocals in Japanese join in! - with guest musician Akihisa Tsuboy on violin. In the same symphonic, somewhat slower style is the second track Dayflower. Much more jazz-rock influences can be heard in Zitensya, an instrumental track that doesn't appeal to me that much. There's stunning guitar work by Tanaka but as said hardly any catchy melodies. Koibumi contains much more music for my ears! It's in the vein of Pageant but one could say the band sounds a bit like Illusion, although I prefer the vocals by Jane Relf. However, the leadguitar of Tanaka is excellent. The last track Last Sign is a combination of progressive and some jazz-rock, fully instrumental and it reminds me a little of UK. This album is not a bad offering at all, although I can’t get used to the Japanese language nor the way of singing and I regret that not all tracks are purely progressive. Certainly a name to remember in case they intend to make more albums!