Hardworking Dutch band aRABESQUE are on the way of achieving an almost impossible event, they are being hailed as an important new band in prog-circles. It is very hard for a relatively new progband to build up something of a following. The heydays of prog – the early seventies - are long gone. And with high-ranking old-timers such as Pink Floyd and Yes still active it is difficult to make your break into the “field”

Still some bands do succeed. Just look at the impact bands like Dream Theatre and Spock’s Beard have made in the last couple of years. Perhaps the aRABESQUE’ers can make it happen too. The musical skills of this Dutch band are truly first class. Technically it’s all there. Complex tunes, decent singing and lots of the “spacey noises” that come with the genre. It does mean however that listening to the album can be a bit difficult. If easy punk-tunes are your thing this will probably freak you out.

But if you try to make an effort, the beauty of the melodies will emerge from the depths of the songs. They can, and maybe will, grab you.

The Union is aRABESQUE’s third album and according to the reactions in the prog-metal world this band is going places. They have been making a good name for themselves. In the last couple of years they have shared the stage with acts such as Arena, Status Quo, Yngwie Malmsteen, Dream Theatre, Spock`s Beard and many other famous names.

The production is a bit sparse and dry; it took me some time to get used to it. It makes the album sound modern and gives it a ‘bite’ the more traditional bands lack. The market for female-led metal bands has never looked so positive before – with the success of After Forever et all – hopefully aRABESQUE will reach a bigger audience. They deserve it. Any true prog aficionado will love this album.