Mystery - Destiny?


Year of Release: 2000
Label: Musea Records
Catalog Number: FGBG 4259
Format: CD
Total Time: 56:39:00

This was a nice little surprise. Mystery hail from the French speaking part of Canada, but sing in English. Destiny? is their debut album, and a really good one, too. [It's actually their second full-length -PW ed.]

The CD has eight songs, while the last song is over 14 minutes long. Mystery is not one of those bands that surpass themselves in the technical department, but emphasize strong melodies. Roughly, their music can be described as symphonic progressive rock. The melodies are for the most part excellent, the presentation/playing is superb and the variation is just like it should be. Some of the songs are very pleasant and laidback, and are suited to a wonderful late dark night. And there really are some wonderful melodic songs on this disc. The use of acoustic guitars was a smart move and the smooth, soft and not least fantastic vocals of Gary Savoie create a special atmosphere to the songs. Of course, some songs and part of songs are very guitar based, too, and gives the CD the variation and heaviness that's necessary.

The music is not unlike Rush, especially in the vocal area, but overall the music is more symphonic. Mara's musical style on their new album America is also comparable to this CD. They have managed to create an interesting musical approach, and balance the songs between wonderful, laidback soft parts that are a real treat to your ears, and more uptempo, technical parts. I have to say that I was very surprised by the strong melodies and the interesting musical approach on this CD. Highly recommended to all fans of prog rock and AOR.

Also released by Unicorn Records (UNCR-2030). Reissued in 2008 (UNCR-5060) with a new mix and a bonus track "Heaven Can Wait")

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]


Tracklisting:
Legend (2:42) / Destiny? (4:56) / Slave To Liberty (5:35) / Before The Dawn (6:29) / Queen Of Vajra Space (9:20) / The Mourning Man (4:47) / Submerged (7:53) / Shadow Of The Lake (14:55)

Musicians:
Patrick Bourque - fretted and fretless bass
Steve Gagné - drums
Gary Savoie - lead and backing vocals
Michel St. Pére - guitars, bass, keyboards

Guests:

Olivier Demers - violin
Dré - "strange personalities"
Anne Gangloff - French narration
Serge Gangloff - special effects
Diane Hébert - backing vocals (5)

Discography:
Mystery (1992)
Theatre Of The Mind (1996/1998)
Destiny? (1998)
At The Dawn Of The Millennium 1992-2000 (2000/2013)
Beneath The Veil Of Winter's Face (2007)
Destiny? (reissue) (2008)
One Among The Living (2010)
The World Is A Game (2012)
Unveil The Mystery 2007-2012 (2013)
Tales From The Netherlands (2014)
Delusion Rain (2015)
Second Home (2017)
Lies And Butterflies (2018)
Live In Poznan (2019)
Second Home (DVD) (2017)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin CA

Added: January 17th 2005
Reviewer: Bjørnar Bevolden
Score:
Artist website: www.therealmystery.com
Hits: 3510
Language: english

  

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