Band : K3
Album title : Under A Spell (2007), Garden Of Death (2009)
Label : Own release
Distributor : See below
Release date : 2007 & 2009 (see above)
Release : CD

No, our Belgian and Dutch readers need nót fear that this is possibly a review of the Belgian girl trio of child entertainers! The name of thís instrumental Metal outfit is an abbreviation of “Kállai Trio”, and the outlet of guitarist Hungarian János Kállai. I'm not sure whether he's always player with the same bassist and drummer (now Péter Szuna and Gábor Nagygyörgy respectively), but K3 delivered its first demo way back in 1999 (titled Rondo, and that's all info I was able to retrieve on the subject).

For some reason K3 was then on something of a break, returning only in 2004 with the self-released album Above The World, and in 2006 the band added the 4-track promotional DVD (live recordings) The End Of Evolution to their activities sheet. In the summer of 2007 the trio released their first professional CD Under A Spell, released in Hungary by CLR Records, and with online distribution in Europe, the US, and Australia. Special about this album was the guest appearance of one Jordan Rudess (known amongst others from his solo outings, but even more so for being the keyboardist of Dream Theater) on the song...sorry, track...“Path Of A Storm”. In all fairness, I have to say that's mere name dropping, because the same track (and 4 others) also have the participation of Hungarian keyboardist/ special effects man Peter Rajkai. A ninth (bonus) track (recorded in a different studio than the others) has the “special effects” contribution coming from one Csabo Hollo. Stylistically, the music is comparable to what one might expect from a Joe Satriani, rather than from a Steve Vai. In other words, the Metal is geared towards flowing Rock melodies rather than to Fusion, Jazz, or Classic complexity. Not that I don't wish I could make my guitar sing that way (I simply haven't got the time, with all other things in my life – maybe later...much later!).

Continuing with the K3 story, video clips were shot for the tracks “The End Of Evolution” and “Under A Spell”, videos which were broadcast on several occasions by Australian Rock TV channel Underground Sound, in 2007, 2008, and 2009. The first video was even shown on the Peter Live Show in Belgium (euhm...never heard of that!). Hungarian MTV2 invited the band on their Select the Knowledge show in May 2008, possibly following the band's nominations to the Hungarian Metal Awards 2007 in the categories “Best Album” (among the other top 5: Heaven And Hell, Queensrÿche, Porcupine Tree, and Therion) and “Best Debut Album”. Late Summer 2008 American magazine Kill City  includes a track of the band on their covermount compilation album. Earlier, in June, the band was contacted by Hollywood's 272 Records, with whom the guys made a distribution deal for their album in the US, with additional online distribution in Europe (where the album became available from late August). Mid August the band gets invited to a house party by famous Hungarian painter Szilvia Rózsa-Úlvári, during which she hands over painting inspired by the band's music. In February 2009 K3 makes a count, and finds tracks of theirs are available in over 2000 music boxes throughout Hungary (with “The End Of Evolution” in permanent rotation)...not a bad feat at all! 2009 gets a different kind of flying start when the band is contacted by the Portuguese Imperative Music Agency, and find themselves signing a management deal in March.

Sophomore album Garden Of Death was recorded from March to May 2009, and distributed in Hungary in supermarkets and music shops by Record Express, making online ordering available as well. I'm not sure of course, but I'm guessing the time lapse between the writing of the new track and their being recorded was far shorter than on the debut. You see, whereas on the debut all tracks got their individual title, this time Roman numerals were used. Stylistically however, there's no difference with the music on the band's debut, even if the sound is more direct as no added extra effects or keyboards were used...except on album closer “VIII”, that is! A slight difference in sound which you'll nevertheless notice when checking out the threesome of tracks (one off the new album, two off the debut) posted at myspace.comK3music3! At any rate, if you're into expressive instrumental Rock/ Metal, I strongly urge you to find a way to not only listen to the music, but also buy the albums...because they really would bring added value to your collection!

Meanwhile, life goes on...Hungarian movie director György Molnár has used K3 music (off both albums) for the soundtrack of his latest flick, which has been nominated to compete at the 41st Hungarian Film Festival. That's bound to bring out K3 music to an even broader array of music lovers! Live goes on indeed...and the word goes that the band will most probably get their album signed for decent promotion and distribution by a Belgian record label pretty soon. Should make their music more accessible in this part of the world, eh!? Meanwhile, I have to recommend K3 for bringing top-grade Instrumental Rock/ Metal, and as I've always been a strong fan of that type of music, I cannot but give the album(s) a perfect rating!

98/100

Tony.