Yep, yupz and partly true, but as concerns the latter: not entirely. I just never thought of the majority of 80s "symph prog" from Japan as being particularly well executed (except for some, like the names I mentioned previously). On the other hand, there were several other fairly "straight-up" progressive acts that DID make some very worthwhile stuff; Kenso, Kennedy, Mr. Sirius (and Dirge espec), Ain Soph, Mongol, Lacrymosa, Il Berlione, Zypressen and more - all of these of a somewhat more experimental nature, though. Interestingly, that very same 80s "symph" venture (think Pageant, Novella, Gerard etc.) has actually even endured over there and left a mark which is still felt with bands such as Interpose, Shinsekai and others.
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