Mugen | uk

This Japanese prog rock band was founded in '78 by Katsuhiko Hayashi (keyboards) and Takashi Nakamura (vocals and keyboards). Not until '84 MUGEN released their first album "Sinfonia Della Luna", a very mellow CD with classical guitar, beautiful waves of Mellotron and sensitive electric guitar solos. A few accelerations and bombastic movements keep a certain tension in the music. The keyboardplay is very TONY BANKS inspired. The second album "Leda et la Cygne" ('86) sound most alternating but the third "The Princess of Kingdome Gone" ('88) is a bit disappointing, it lacks any tension. Obviously the band ran out of ideas and soon MUGEN disbanded. On all albums the high-pitched vocals are remarkable, a kind of classical trained JON ANDERSON.

The second album is considered as their best, thanks to contributions by Takashi Kawaguchi on violin (from OUTER LIMITS), Kazuhiro Miyatake on flute and Ikkou Nakujima on acoustic guitar (both from PAGEANT). The elaborate compositions contain lots of instuments and orchestral keyboards in the vein of THE ENID and some LE ORME ("Felona e Sorona" climate). I'm very pleased with the harmony of majestic Mellotron eruptions, moving violin and distorted electric guitar evoking a very dramatic atmosphere. A good example of the typical Japanese prog rock (sumptuous keyboards, lots of Mellotron and violin and classical influences).

: : : Erik Neuteboom, The NETHERLANDS : : :
Fan & official Prog Archives collaborator .