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PRIAM was the revelation of the Corbigny Festival, held in August 1998, due to a memorable live performance in which previously unknown musicians unveiled to an astonished audience their icy and tense ambiences in the style of KING CRIMSON, which also becomes a hot delirium of ANGLAGARD (A group which, incidentally, was discovered and appreciated by the four members only a short time… after). Their leader guitarist Chris CASAGRANDE is no doubt about it the most faithful follower of the works of Allan HOLDSWORTH, as well as of the three Steve of Progressive rock (HACKETT, HOWE & ROTHERY). The 100% instrumental formula adopted for “…Three Distances - Irregular signs…” is a little different of the one shown during live presentations, but it still remains full of energy and creativity. Still dominated by an amazing guitar with a definitely mastered technique, PRIAM’s music can blend the hot and the cold, and it becomes each time more lyrical and quiet. The virtuoso passages are in the style of UK and the more lyrical and melodious sequences evoke HECENIA. Even if they are splendid and varied, Laurent LACOMBE-COULOMB’s keyboards still remain here to accompany Bertrand HULIN-BERTAUD (Discreet student of Percy JONES), and Emmanuel MARIO’s drums (Famous student of Alain GOZZO !), a virtuoso rhythm section that enjoys sequences of complete changes. The album’s global tone can then get close to that perceptible in the IRIS project initiated Sylvain GOUVERNAIRE, but a lot less neo Progressive and a whole lot more atmospheric… Issued in 2001 by an artistic creation workshop for various disciplines, Parallax Music, “Diffraction” integrates from now on to the traditional style of PRIAM, some aspects that look contrary to it, i.e. new or contemporary music. The CD opens with "Diffraction - Open Limit”, an surprising exercise that can remind of “The Ancient - Giants Under The Sun” (YES “Tales from Topographic Oceans”, 1973). You can indeed find there true musical similarities (Same evolving percussions, same nakedness that can be a little menacing, same complexity…), as well as, from time to time, an iconoclast will to create a music as different as can be to that of what the band has issued before. While the British finish their sequences by a pleasant part a lot more conventional that can blend vocals and acoustic guitar, the French choose to draw a wonderful transition towards their first album. A little as if the once lost line-up had found once again the light… Some numerous guests are present on what constitutes another flashy success. A universality and a taste for innovation that hadn’t been seen for a long time on the French scene ! Deeply recommended !