Alias Eye - Beyond The Mirror

Year of Release: 2000
Label: self-released
Catalog Number: #
Format: CD
Total Time: 16:33:00

From the old, often comes the new. This is the case of Philip Griffiths, son of Beggar's Opera singer Martin Griffiths. Beggar's Opera were an important, but highly unknown band in the early UK prog movement, a family of the neo-classical genre of progressive music where virtuoso keyboards were a heavy component of the music. It seems that son Philip is basically re-inventing the band; but the next generation.

Alias Eye are based in Germany. Besides Griffiths on vocals (and he has the same deep, resonant voice of his dad!), the sound is dominated by the keyboards of Vytas Lemke. Beyond The Mirror is a self-produced 3 song EP that is merely the springboard of things to come. Unfortunately, the first track, "River Running" is the weakest. Though the middle has a nice piano passage, most of the song seems more of a demo nature. Even Philips admits the guitar is mixed way too low. And that's a shame because Matthias Richter shows some real chops on later tracks.

"Premortal Dance" follows. This is a song that you can download on MP3 from the band's website and it's excellent. Griffiths' vocals are much stronger and rich, and there is a lengthy lead guitar passage that simply cooks. Keys include piano and hammond, which provides a spacey foundation to the song. The final track, "An End In Itself" continues the level of excellence. Supported by a Strawberry Field-ish Mellotron, the song builds from a soft ballad to a crescendo. Griffiths voice is strong again as is Richter's guitar.

While 3 songs can't really provide a clear idea of the band's direction, the strength of two of the numbers - which approach the level of best of the classic prog movement in places - clearly indicates that Alias Eye is a band with a future. Well done, boys!

Tracklisting:
River Running (6:20) / Premortal Dance (5:19) / An End In Itself (4:54)

Musicians:
Mathias Richter - guitars
Vytas Lemke - keyboards
Frank Fischer - bass
Ludwig Benedek - drums

Discography:
Beyond The Mirror (ep) (2000)
Field Of Names (2001)
A Different Point Of You (2003/2004)
In Focus (2007)
In Between (2011)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin DE

Added: December 27th 2000
Reviewer: Richard Zywotkiewicz

Artist website: www.aliaseye.com
Hits: 2076
Language: english