GERARD performed in its beginnings an elegant and elaborated symphonic music that took after the golden Progressive rock played by YES, GENESIS and friends. A blend of sensitivity, precious lyricism and power can be heard in the first albums recorded by the quartet, led by the famous keyboardist Toshio EGAWA (NOVELA, SHEHERAZADE, EARTHSHAKER…). The eponymous album issued in 1983 was the leader of the remarkable Japanese Progressive rock movement that was then just starting. GERARD has eventually become a power (To put it mildly !) trio, started with "The Pendulum" in 1996, and followed with "Pandora’s Box" the following year. This instrumental band is sophisticated and bubbly. It features from time to time Canadian singer Robin SUCHY, and performs a collection of "epic" tracks in the style of the second UK album. The mini-CD "Evidence Of True Love" and "Meridian" (Mostly revisited tracks from the first period) follow the path of a kind of Progressive rock dominated by the keyboards which completely fill the sound space. The power and lavishness of the other acknowledge model EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER seem, comparatively and in some occasions, to be the work of nice lullaby singers !!!... "Live in Marseille - Battle Triangle" is a good example of GERARD’s powerful and frenetic music, when they were invited to play in France during the Year of France in Japan (in July 1998), in exchange for a concert by ECLAT in Tokyo… The 2000 & 2002 albums, respectively called "The Ruins of a Glass Fortress" & "Sighs of the Water" follow this trend, in a relatively less flashy style. Indeed, generally speaking, the power they show combines with a virtuosity worth of the greatest power-organ trios. The prevailing bass with guitar accents and some amazing drums contribute to give their music an impact and a strength usually found in the best hard-rock bands ! Their music is then unique, and only share with Eddie JOBSON & John WETTON’s mythic line-up, the enthusiasm, the wealth and the both harmonic and melodic diversity that make those albums indispensable jewels !
