HYDRA is a current band from the French Alps, that plays very Nineties-like Progressive heavy-metal. Its first album "Rock Experience" (1996) really had the right-suited title, as the styles that were visited during these eleven tracks proved to be much more varied as first expected. On top of a perfectly mastered duality between Progressive rock and AOR, it is noteworthy that exciting escapades towards jazz-tinted soul music are there to be heard ! There is no doubt that DREAM THEATER, QUEENSRYCHE or MAGELLAN lovers will be delighted. Last but not least, the instrumental quality serves perfectly the richness and the inventiveness of the compositions. All in all, this represents one of the most reliable hopes of the Brennus label for the future. Strangely enough, that is Musea Parallele that eventually took the band again some eight years after its first album ! Goodbye to heavy-metal influences, this unexpected renaissance takes place as an acoustic duet featuring the vocalist Sébastien DENARIE and the guitarist Pascal LEMOINE. "This Famous Unknown" (2005) is a splendid concept-album based on the Remembrance duty. The story of an unknown soldier of World War One is told here in the way our grand-parents used to do. It is not the story of a hero, but the description of the destiny of a young conscript of unknown nationality, his joys, his sorrows, his hopes and fears. This soldier, though an unknown one, may remind to anyone a dear young man who sacrificed his life in the name of Liberty. The universal nature of this message led the two fellowmen to chose English in order to honour men of all fronts. Musically speaking, the eleven titles are both catchy and original, even though the acoustic side of MARILLION can sometimes be present. After this (rock-) experience, HYDRA comes back to its roots, choosing efficiency and the return to the spirit of the Eighties, without forgetting today"s influences, rich and varied. Still published on the Musea Parallele label, "The Special One" is definitely worth listening to ! It includes eight brand new tracks. Not to be missed !