Intrusion (Unicorn Records, 2010)
The Montreal area has been producing excellent progressive rock bands for decades. Hamadryad is another name to add to the list. Hamadryad plays fine symphonic progressive rock of an epic nature, with a focus on skilled keyboard and guitar work with some excursions into jazz fusion. Vocals are in English and they vary dramatically. Sometimes they sound like Peter Gabriel. Other times they go in a Yes direction.
The name of the band, Hamadryad comes from the Greek mythology. It was a wood nymph fabled to live and die bonded to a tree to which she was attached. If the tree died, the hamadryad associated with it also died. For that reason, dryads and the gods punished any men who harmed trees.
Intrusion opens with an intense barrage of fast guitar work. However, the tempo slows down on the second piece and the listener is treated to a balanced mix of acoustic and electric guitars as well as outstanding keyboard creations.
After several changes in line-up, Hamadryad has become a quintet. The line includes Jean-Philippe Major on lead vocals; Jean-François Désilets on bass and vocals; Nick Turcotte on drums; Denis Jalbert on guitars, vocals; and Sébastien Cloutier on keyboards, vocals.
Hamadryad was initially a quintet. Its first album was “Conservation Of Mass” (UNCR-5002, Unicorn Records, 2001). After their lead singer, Jocelyn Beaulieu, left, Hamadryad reinvented itself as a quartet. Jean-François took on the role of singer.
Keyboard player Francis Doucet left before the completion of the second album. He introduced a talented keyboard player named Sébastien Cloutier. He impressed the band and became the new keyboardist.
“Safe in Conformity” was released in May 2005 (UNCR-5020, Unicorn Digital). In June 2007, still as a quartet, Hamadryad released their first live album “Live in France” (UNCR-5046, Unicorn Digital). All the songs on this album were performed and recorded in August 2006, at the Crescendo festival in St-Palais-Sur-Mer, France.
Drummer Yves Jalbert left the band for personal reasons. Hamadryad hired 2 new members, lead singer Jean-Philippe Major and drummer Nick Turcotte, and became a quintet again.
Intrusion is highly recommended for fans of classic progressive rock who love engaging vocals from the Peter Gabriel school and outstanding instrumental passages.
Buy Intrusion