Theta (6)

Theta is a modern Japanese band that performs a kind of symphonic progressive rock worth of the Eighties masters Outer Limits and Teru's Symphonia, though a lot less pompous and with a touch of jazz. Some British folk influences are easy to notice even though, all fans of this genre can be reassured, the typical Japanese symphonic style is still very present ! The use of Junko Minobe's lyrical violin (who was also a member of Cinderella Search) owes a lot to Jean-Luc Ponty. The vocals by Yoko Royama are excellent, both in English in which they remind of Annie Haslam and in her mother tongue, which is a lot less underplayed than with many of their compatriots. A pastoral flute gives the whole music a welcome touch of serenity.