Machiavel - 1976 Machiavel

Machiavel were a Belgian band of the mid-seventies, whose brand of progressive rock was very Genesis/Supertramp influenced. Combining Tony Banksian lead keyboard lines with Supertramp-like piano comping, their music was centered around keyboards, and the musicianship of the members was certainly top-notch.

One of Belgium's biggest and best-known symphonic prog bands. Jester is very much in the Genesis mould, with lots of ARP synths, Mellotron, and the odd melodic, acoustic-guitar orientated song (notably "Moments"). But Machiavel adds a harder rock feel with the strong guitarwork of Jean-Paul Devaux. Vocalist Mario Guccio is in the Peter Hammill mould, a singer with a wide range, both in pitch and emotions.