SHOW-YEN is a Japanese band led by guitarist-composer Yasuhiro NISHIO, that has existed as an instrumental trio since 1998. Its other members are bassist Hiroaki FUJII and drummer Masanobu TONOMURA. Their eponymous concept-album (2003) is actually built on a new idea, called "Free-concept". The listener must invent his own story while listening to the music ! The fifteen tracks are quite dense and concise, and represent a very wide range of musical tendencies, that can evoke KING CRIMSON or RUSH in the Seventies among other influences (Oriental for example). After a two years-break and a drummer change, SHOW-YEN strikes back in olympic form ! An album published as a joint-venture between the Musea and Poseidon labels, "II" includes thirteen tracks made of pure beauty. Those first class musicians like both melodies and power: riffs and solos are predominant here ! But the rhythm section is also perfectly precise and the music quite adventurous, with surprising breaks and quiet acoustic moments. To be discovered !