Progressive Mind

Excerpts from 17th Prog Nite (28 July 2006)….

Wow…!!!! Finally ..

Indonesia has a neo progressive rock band. Congratulations! Oh yes, Vantasma is a band in the vein of Marillion, IQ, Pallas, Pendragon – the bands that dared to challenge the new wave and punk music which swept prog music away in the early 80’s. Remember bands like B 52’s, Robert Palmer, Mo, Human League, Ultravox, Duran Duran, Orchestral Maneuver In The Dark, etc? That bands dominated the music industry at that time and even basic pop music was practically not exist. Out of the blue, a Scottish band with unknown name sung “So here I am once more. In A playground of a brokenheart …” well you know it damn well, my friend .. it’s definitely Fish’ voice with Marillion’s “Script For A Jester’s Tear”!!!

History has recorded that the appearance of Marillion in the sea of new wave and punk era stood tall with prog flag – of course with a modified version – not that complex as the old school prog of YES “Relayer” or “Close To The Edge”. People then called it as neo progressive rock music. I never heard any Indonesian prog bands in the vein of neo progressive music but Vantasma.

This new band is really kicking! Their compositions are great! It comprises music with tight structure combining heavy and soft parts with touchy melodies (of course! This has been the main characteristics of neo prog). I remember clearly weeks ago when Welly (the keyboardist) sent me a short message at my mobile number saying that there are touchy parts of Vantasma music which will attract me. He is right! I saw their music last night with heavy influence of marillion, IQ. Vantasma vocalist Opik is an excellent lead vocalist with excellent English dialect which does not seem like non-English speaking vocalist. His voce and singing style remind me of Peter Nichols of IQ. He could manage his low as well as high note registers. The lead guitarist, Eddy, is also an excellent player with playing style reminds me to Mike Holmes of IQ where it has sometime howling guitar effects. Other players in the band: Jacky – guitar, Gig – bass, Gaga – drums.

Vantasma played four long songs. As compared to Votel Roffs, Vantasma music is softer that’s why there was minimum surprises as it happened with Votel Roffs. I could also sense a feel of getting bored with parts which seem like being elongated. I also remember vividly that at third song they played last night there were segments that were heavily influenced by Mark Kelly’s Garden Party keyboard’s fills. It seemed the crowd was familiar with neo prog music as during break between songs the crowd shout “Chelsea Monday …!!!” (Marillion’s song). My friend Keli seemed enjoying Vantasma very much as he is a die hard fan of IQ music. Definitely, when Vantasma release their debut, I would be the first one to purchase the CD. I hope that the band would play their album in its entirety as they launch the CD. Bravo Vantasma!

BAND’S BIOGRAPHY

Vantasma evolved from Voltaire which was established in 1999 with initial line-up: Danny Andreas (guitar), Edi Fitri Gunara (guitar), Gaga (drums), A.T. (vocals) and Yudo (bass). They initially covered metal bands material and later on they focused on covering one band only, i.e. Dream Theater after Jacky joined the band. They also started writing their own material which was heavily influenced by Dream Theater plus some ethnic touch. A.T. and Yudo then left the band, Opik and Rudi D. joined. In 2001, they changed their band name to Vantasma and made their appearance at the First Progressive Festival (Prog Fest) organized by the Indonesian Progressive Society (IPS). The band’s line-up was: Danny Andreas (guitar), Edi (guitar), Gaga (drums), Opik (vocals), and Rudi D. (bass). In 2002 Rudi left the band to concentrate on his career, and Nyoman ‘Yuta’ Bayutara replaced his role on bass. With this line up Vantasma actively participated in any music festivals. In the end of 2003 Edi left the band to concentrate on his study. With the departure of Edi, the band became unstable and for some years only composed material with limited members. When in 2005 Gaga was asked by Andy Julias (the chairman of IPS) for Vantasma to participate in “Progressive Nite” – the light seemed to shine for the band. They worked hard to prepare their gig. Yuta was unable to join Vantasma for Prog Nite and just one week before the event Danny Andreas also left the band. Gaga then asked Edi to rejoin and they performed the gig with new line-up: Edi (guitar), Jacky (guitar), Gaga (drums), Opik (vocal) and Gig (bass). They also recorded a mini demo during the preparation for the Prog Nite. The band finally completed their line-up when they met Welly M.S. whom then joined the band as keyboard player and producer of their full-fledge debut album “Beyond Fallen Dreams” (2006). The debut album represents the first Indonesian band who makes CD in the vein of neo progressive music. Previously, there was Semesta who also played neo progressive music and made a demo CD but they did not continue their effort into a full-fledge album like Vantasma. “Beyond Fallen Dreams” confirms the band’s existence in their new music direction which has changed significantly from previously metal music. The album is completely in the vein of IQ, PALLAS, PENDRAGON, JADIS and heavily influenced by MARILLION (Fish era). “Beyond Fallen Dreams” is a neo progressive music at its best. The lead vocalist voice is between Peter Nichols (IQ) and Nick Barrett (Pendragon). Stunning guitar solo and pulsating keyboard work appear frequently in any segment of the music. It’s a highly recommended album!!!

Vantasma official site: Vantasmaprog

Source of Biography: Vantasma Band Rewitten by Gatot Widayanto (member of IPS, Director of i-Rock! Music Enterprise)