The band was born in 2005 from the project of the German multi-instrumentalist Thomas Klarmann as one-man-band by the name Argos, becoming over time well-known among Progressive fans. Over the years Klarmann, who had already played in some Progs and Fusion bands in the 1970s, focused on more Jazzy sonority, but in the mid-90s thanks to the explosion of New Prog, he decided to get closer to those sounds. Shortly after giving birth to the project in 2005, Robert Gozon decides to take part in it and so they begin to propose the first recordings, initially on the web, and just listening to their productions Ulf Jacobs contacts the band and proposes himself as drummer. Found a recording contract with the French label Musea, so in 2008 the recordings of an album begin and the following year their self-titled debut is released. In 2010, a fourth element was added to the band, Rico Florczak on the guitar, thus completing the line-up and “Circles” was released in the same year, again for the Musea label. After the first two albums, the band changed their label and in 2012 “Cruel Symmetry” was produced for Progressive Promotion Records, containing a track of over 20 minutes and showing a mature and well-developed sound. Ideas and technique of the German quartet are really high leveled and after 3 years of intense live activity, in 2015 they publish “A Seasonal Affair“, again for the same label, where they confirm the good things heard in the previous ones. Despite the success, the band changes its label again to the Bad Elephant and with the addition of Thilo Brauss as the fifth element, they publish “Unidentified Dying Objects“, probably the most mature work of the entire discography, also containing a long suite of over 18 minutes. The sound of Argos can be inserted in the Neo-Prog, having Canterburysh, Symphonic and 70’s influences, especially Genesis and Gentle Giant above all, as well as modern groups such as TheFlower Kings and Spock’s Beard. There is also Jazz influences, which nonetheless distinguish the Canterbury genre, even Argos show that they have very clear ideas and have created their own personal style, while mixing all these different influences. The tracks, of medium-long duration, show the great dowry of composition, the number of the instruments played, Mellotron, Hammond and Flute, just to name a few and the characteristic time changes of the Prog. The band, always projected towards a modern style, still winks at the sound of the past, taking inspiration from the vocal parts and above all the rhythm. By now they have become one of the most followed bands of German Neo-Prog, and each of their output is the confirmation, for those who do not know them, they will surely be a pleasant discovery, those who already appreciate them know how much good they have brought to modern Prog. Undoubtedly the band is  one to listen and to follow carefully, hoping that the history of the Argos will last even for longer time.  

Discography

(2009) Argos [Musea]
(2010) Circles [Musea]
(2012) Cruel Symmetry [Progressive Promotion Records]
(2013) A Seasonal Affair [Progressive Promotion Records]
(2018) Unidentified Dying Objects [Bad Elephant]

Lineup

Thomas Klarmann / Basses, Flute, Acoustic Guitar, Mellotron, Synths, Backing vocals, Lead Vocals
Robert Gozon / Electric & Acoustic Pianos, Lead & Backing Vocals Enrico Florczak / Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Backing Vocals, Soundscapes
Ulf Jacobs / Drums & Percussion
Thilo Brauss / Organ, Clavinet, Synths, Soundscapes, Melodica

Argos |Official Website|Facebook Page|Twitter|YouTube Channel|

Jacopo Vigezzi

http://progrockjournal.x10host.com

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