The Ruins of A Glass Fortress (Gerard, 2000)

Taken from the same titled album, this mini-suite is another proof of Gerard's skills. Not only these Japanese guys are great composers, but they also offer lavish performances. Take Toshio Egawa's keyboards in this song: they're so different, original and well mixed that one could imagine a whole orchestra is involved. And also the structure of this two-part suite is a treat, with its changes, and the main theme reprises both in instrumental and sung sections.

This was the eighth studio album by Gerard.

Here I can't omit a special mention to the guest singer Jean-Luc F.Nazaki, whose suggestive voice adds an arcane mood to the track and to the trio line-up of Gerard. Of course, when the keys go on fast arpeggios in the second half of part 2, well, my prog ears celebrate... yes, the celebrate for real!

Empty Lie, Empty Dream (Gerard, 1996)

One of my favourite Japanese (neo) prog tracks, this Gerard's opening track of their album "The Pendulum". It starts a little like Pinl Floyd's "Time" with a paraphernalia of clocks, but all the rest is completely different. Actually, it's a heavy symphonic song, driven by excellent, very fast and wild Toshio Egawa's keyboards, perfecty supported by the rythm section. Sure, the song also includes some down tempo and atmospheric sung sections, with the beautiful vocals of Robin Suchi, but Egawa's work is simply brilliant and his solos are worth more than a single listening.

An old fashioned romantic cover, as in Gerard's tradition.

Even if you'll find here a certain grandeur, those guys are never too bombastic and know when to stop it there and turn the stage. I do think Gerard are one of the musical peaks of Japanese progressive rock and their intricated style sets on fire an old proggy hearted fan like me.