(Symphonic Prog, Instrumental) Taurus - Opus 3: Research - 2013, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Taurus biography

TAURUS is the name used by the talented Chilean multi-instrumentalist Claudio Momberg who after a successful career in bands as SETI, CAAMORA and SUBTERRA released three excellent albums edited by Mylodon Records. Like MIKE OLDFIELD and VANGELIS before him, Claudio plays all the instruments, but to make it even more impressive, also produced all the albums.

It was not a surprise to discover that his music was fluid and elegant with a unique style product of his dexterity with all the instruments.

Despite these notable achievements I should mention that TAURUS is not a 100% Symphonic band, because Momberg blends classical music, Electronic Prog, a bit of New Age (plus GENESIS, CAMEL and MAGENTA influence), but due to the quality of the compositions and the fact that his music would not fit in another sub-genre, we feel that Prog Archives should not let TAURUS fall in the cracks of the system and decided to add his discography to the Symphonic database.

Highly recommended for fans of orchestral and instrumental Prog.

http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=8022

4.5 Stars would be more accurate
Opus II ? Research was the first album I Heard by TAURUS, and even when I was impressed with the fantastic music and impeccable performance, almost caused the rejection of the band buy the Symphonic team, being that is the most eclectic release with evident preeminence of electronic and New Age elements. But we are here to review an excellent album despite it's categorization.

It seems to me that OPUS III is some sort of conceptual album related to seas (islands and Archipelagos) in earth and the moon, because even the mention of Empedocles could be related to the submarine volcano, but being an instrumental album, it's always hard to tell.

Opus II is opened byTranquility an it's impressive piano solo that seems to lead to a Symphonic track, but as time advances starts to morph towards electronic Prog with VANGELIS reminiscences, working as an introduction to then album, almost as a dramatic prologue. Delightful opening.

The first notes of Pacific remind me instantly of Moonmadness by Camel, but after some minutes it's obvious we are before a more dynamic track, with constant changes and full of surprises. Normally the weakest spot of one man acts like TAURUS is in the percussion, being that many multi- instrumentalist go for drum machines, but Claudio Momberg is a very solid drummer and his work with all the rhythm section is impressive. The Mellotron sections are a dream made true for GENESIS fans.

Nord simply caught me by surprise, because despite the evident Rick Wakeman influences (Criminal Record era), it's obvious we are before something unique, because unlike Rick, Claudio Momberg doesn't pretend to make a keyboard driven album, so he places more emphasis in the percussion and bass, creating a strange and almost mysterious atmosphere.

Mediterranean takes us back to Classical inspired Symphonic, with an almost orchestral sound created basically with synths, a nice and relaxing track that serves as an intermezzo before the aggressive Tuamotu this time closer to Neo Prog due to the vibrant use of guitar reminiscent of MAGENTA and PENDRAGON, a nice combinations of tracks that help to maintain the coherence and balance of the album.

Empedocles is pure spacey Electronic with massive use of synths in the vein of VANGELIS and even JEAN MICHEL JARRE, a bit repetitive for my taste, but a nice change, specially when followed by the softer electronic oriented Tyrrhenian and the classical inspired Serenitatis. At this point it's obvious for me that Claudio is a master in production, because the order of the tracks and the combination of styles is done in such careful way that never loses coherence or logic, the album is balanced in the best possible way. Simply brilliant.

Opus III is closed by the extremely delicate Serenitatis, a beautiful track that summarizes the spirit of the album, by large one of my favorites.

Yesterday I was a bit harsh with Opus I, which I found a bit repetitive, in the same way and to be 100% honest, I have to praise Opus I, which in my opinion is one of the best releases of 2013, would go with 4.5 stars, but the system doesn't allows this, so I have to rate this great album with 4 solid stars.

Review by Ivan_Melgar_M

- Claudio Momberg / All instruments