Metabolisme - 1977 - Tempus Fugit (full album)

METABOLISME were a French band from the south of France from the region of Menton. They started out in the late 60's as a guitar/bass/drum trio playing hard rock ala LED ZEPPELIN and DEEP PURPLE, until a new guitarist joined in and their music took on ever proggier overtones, now sounding like URIAH HEEP, now sounding more like ATOLL, MONA LISA, CRESSIDA or PENTACLE. During the 70's, they toured extensively throughout the south of France and the north of Italy. Then in Paris, fortune finally smiled and they got to record an album, "Tempus Fugit" (1977), the only one the band has ever released.

Apart from the French groups mentioned above, influences from YES, early GENESIS and Italian symphonic prog are also felt throughout the album, mostly due to the dominant Hammond organ reminiscent of Tony Banks' of early GENESIS. The guitarist proves quite competent, his electric leads sometimes recalling late 60's psychedelia; his ample use of acoustic guitar also adds atmosphere and texture to the band's sound. As was the case with many French bands of the 70's,METABILISME's vocals are quite theatrical although not as much as with ANGE or even MONA LISA. Overall, the album sounds a bit dated but the music is fine: mostly smooth, nice symphonic/melodic prog with the occasional psych outburst.
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1889