ÉCLAT (who called themselves ÉCLAT DE VERS on their first album) are a French quintet formed in 1989 under the leadership of guitarist/vocalist Alain Charazzo. Their style straddles the worlds of both symphonic prog and guitar-driven rock, alternately featuring beautiful, acoustic melodies and jazzy fireworks. Chiarazzo's outstanding guitar play and the strong foundation behind every piece is the band's strength. Their material got jazzier and more instrumental over the years - from the highly melodic and poetic first album "Éclat de Vers" in '91 (symphonic prog with hints of jazz) to their latest cd, the almost exclusively instrumental "Le Cri de la Terre" (a jazz-rock album with hints of symphonic prog). In between, they released the elegant "Éclat II" that should please EDHELS and 80's era CAMEL fans, the slightly ethnic-flavoured "Volume 3" and their live album "Éclat en concert, in 1998". Fans from both ends of the spectrum (symphonic prog and jazz-fusion buffs alike) should find something to their liking with ÉCLAT, particularly those who appreciate some flamboyant guitar play.