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Reviews

Ars Nova Biogenesis Project — Biogenesis
(Musea FGBG 4532.AR, 2003, CD)

Biogenesis Cover art

Biogenesis is the kind of overblown sci-fi epic that has both a built-in audience and legions of detractors. The fact that it comes from Japan’s Ars Nova, not exactly known for subtlety, does not bode well for the seriousness of the project, and the participation of guests like Arjen Lucassen of Ayreon fame, Masuhiro Goto and Atsushi Hasegawa of Gerard, Gianni Leone of Il Balletto di Bronzo, Lucio Fabbri of PFM, and a number of others brings to mind Lucassen’s own work. And on the surface, Biogenesis is a ridiculous ornate edifice of flashy neo-prog built on a foundation of bad science fiction. But I’m a big fan of anime, and I figure if I’m willing to go along with Neon Genesis Evangelion or Ghost in the Shell in spite of their scientific implausibility, I should be able to give Keiko Kumagai and the gang a break. Once I started thinking of this CD as the soundtrack of an animated feature that just hasn’t been made yet, I came to really enjoy it. The fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, threatened by a beautiful female genetically engineered to destroy. Even with the all-star cast, Kumagai’s keyboards dominate, with blazing chords on the Hammond and dextrous analog synth solos. And just as I often prefer to watch a subtitled film with the original Japanese voices instead of the English dub, Biogenesis might actually be improved if the lyrics were all in Japanese. Can’t wait for the movie!

by Jon Davis, Published 2003-12-01

Biogenesis marks the sixth release for this Japanese trio. And if nothing else it’s not just “another ArsNova CD.” Keiko’s brush with the master of over-indulgence, Arjen A. Lucassen, has left its mark. Biogenesis is rock opera by ArsNova with a supporting cast: Gianni Leone, Claudio Simonetti, Lucio Fabbri, 2/3’s of Gerard, Arjen Lucassen, and others. The concept is straight from some sci-fi anime book, but the music is probably the strongest effort by Kieko. She absolutely shreds (as always) but this time the composition is better and the additional players give it all more substance. The sexual aspects carry on here as well — enter Keiko as sex goddess and keyboard phenom. Akiko and newest member Mika provide some vocals, but their roles seem greatly reduced (Akiko does play drums on one track). It’s the supporting cast that lifts this album up from the standard ArsNova fare. Mika’s vocals are okay, but having Leone (Il Balletto di Bronzo) on vocals is a real plus. And while Lucassen’s guitar (any guitar!) is a major addition, it’s the violin of PFM’s Lucio Fabbri that closes the deal (having Gerard’s rhythm section doesn’t hurt either). So instead of a shred-fest that never stops, Biogenesis has far more depth. If you have always liked ArsNova, but found the music a bit lacking in the long run, I would give this a listen.

by Dane Carlson, Published 2003-12-01

Filed under: New releases, Issue 28, 2003 releases

Related artist(s): Ars Nova, Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Ayreon), Akiko Takahashi (Cosmo Space)

 

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