Nexus Erratic, Switzerland

Inverse. 1983 Turicaphon

OK, I admit it. I'm a closet neo progressive rock fan. I remember when it was known as the New Wave of British Progressive Rock (NWOBPR) to counter the NWOBHM movement (of which I'm also a fan). And I love all those early albums in the style by IQ, Marillion, Twelfth Night, Pendragon, Haze, Tamarisk, LaHost and a few others that you might find on this site as well. Unfortunately the term "neo prog" became muddied later in the 1980s when it became a euphemism for thinly disguised arena rock/AOR but with longer songs and fantasy lyrics. I was turned off, as were many other progressive rock fans.

But there weren't too many progenitors from continental Europe, especially Switzerland (not counting the rather dubious Deyss), until many years later. Nexus Erratic fits squarely in the 1982/83 UK neo sound. The only other band from Switzerland I can think of like this is Galaad (a very good early 90s band), another group from near the French Alps (as Nexus Erratic is). However Nexus Erratic are minus the Ange, Mona Lisa influences of Galaad - this is definitively UK sounding. I was really surprised by how much I liked this one. Cautiously recommended to most, highly recommended to those who love a good old fashioned early 80's UK "neo" album.

Priority: 2

10/15/10