Arkus-1914 (1981)

Arkus is a Dutch band that has the distinction of being one of the very first to release a neo-progressive album, a subgenre that emerged in the early 1980s. Formed in the late 1970s by guitarist and singer Frans Smits, bassist John Bouman, drummer Erik Van Duin, keyboardist Jan-Henk Wiggerlinkhuizen, and guitarist Ron Willems, their debut album, "1914", was recorded and released privately by the band and is based on the writings of the renowned Dutch author Bert Voeten. This record is an effective example of early neo-progressive rock, featuring a repertoire full of catchy and cohesive melodies. However, the band's style leans more towards the atmospheric and melodic sounds of late 1970s progressive rock than the pastoral and theatrical style of the early 1970s.