When I got a package a few months ago from Unicorn Digital, I was very excited to see that the new Talisma, Chromium, was in the package. This is their follow-up to their critically acclaimed debut Corpus. This time around Talisma expands beyond their metallic sound to incorporate some funky and world vibes.Talisma is a power trio that hits you like a wall of sound. Sometimes you could swear there’s more band members. Now to introduce the band, they are bassist Donald Fleurent, guitarist Martin Vanier and drummer Mark Di Claudio. Remember these names, I do believe they will be in the progressive music history books!
There is so much on this album from quirky to ethnic flavored jazz-rock to classic style progressive rock and all points in between. Talisma leaves no stone unturned here on Chromium. I’m sure they could have done a Corpus II but, in the truest sense of what progressive music is all about, they chose to expand and thankfully so.
For the most part fans of King Crimson (mostly Red-era). Mahavishnu Orchestra and newer fusion bands such as Spaced Out, Planet X and Niacin will eat this album up! Depending on your point of view, you might think the album is on the short side but in my experience when a band pushes over the 50 minute mark, they sometimes put in filler music and most prog fans are appalled by this. So the phrase, “less is more” fits perfectly.
So in closing, Chromium is a highly recommended instrumental progressive rock release both for 2005 and all time. Please pick up a copy today if this review peeked your interest, in fact get both releases if you haven’t already. Your ears will thank you!.
Reviewed by Ron Fuchs on October 25th, 2005
