A new five piece band from France who plays dark and yet melodic exploratory music in the style of Hoyri-Kone, King Crimson, Magma, Univers Zero and even Gong. …. strong dynamic instrumentals. … Definitely worth discovering if you are looking for something new and of an adventous nature. The progressive avant-garde discovery of 1999.”
Cranium (New-Zealand 1999)
“Wow, this is great stuff here! This is the debut of a new group that is already extremely accomplished… this band leaves lots of room for improvisation and intricate jamming, which is where the Crimson comes in. Highly recommended.”
Dirk Evans, ProgRealAudio (USA 2000).
This is a very exciting album. It’s not that often you get to hear something that is as progressive as Sotos nowadays. They are among those bands that are pushing the progressive music to its outer limits... Their compositions are rather complex and furious, and they’re all instrumental. … mixing such instruments as Bass, Cello, Drums, Flute and Guitar. …Much of Sotos power and energy comes from the drums and percussions… if you’re adventurous enough, I think you will love it! Recommended!
Prog.Net (1999)
Tower Records (USA – September 2002)
Sotos - Platypus
For those enamored of the dark, angular sound pioneered by guitarist Robert Fripp with his mid-'70s incarnation of prog legends King Crimson, PLATYPUS will be a dip in familiar waters. This French quintet deftly mixes the aforementioned Crimson influence with that of countrymen Magma and Univers Zero on the two lengthy instrumental pieces that take up the whole of this album. Cello, violin, and electric guitar intertwine in arrangements that are carefully and intricately constructed in a neo-chamber music way, but still boast the explosive, electric power of a hard-hitting rock band.
All Music Guide (USA – 2002)
The record label Cuneiform is quite good at flushing out young groups that will strengthen its conception of what avant-garde progressive rock is or should be. Sotos, a French group with one previous album under its belt, embodies what good, inventive musicians can do… Platypus positions Sotos as the most exciting avant-prog band to surface since BOUD|DEUN"Boud Deun. Highly recommended.
François Couture
The Dutch Progressive Rock Page (DPRP – England – Jan. 2003)
“With the unusual lineup-up of guitar, drums, bass, violin and cello, Sotos were never going to be considered as a typical progressive rock band. Formed from pupils of the French National School of Music the musicianship and adventurous compositions on this, their second album, is extremely accomplished, falling neatly into the realms of the avant-garde.”
«A big and delight[ful] surprise coming from Musea’s New Music label, Gazul Records : the French band Sotos… incredible brilliancy…In one year’s time, these very young musicians (from 16 to 25 years-old) reached a perfect cohesion and composed five pieces. After that, they won everything, with just a single demo sent to gig organizers or labels: they opened for some of the biggest French or international rock bands, they won many musical prizes and finally signed for their debut album on Gazul. …an atypical debut…which emphasizes well the deeply unordinary character of this band. Their instrumental music is truly astonishing: …highly melodic and complex dark music with a simply mind-blowing tempo and rhythm…. the shadows of Magma and King Crimson are ever present as well as very strong inflexions a-la-Univers Zero or Present. …It’s very hard to believe that this is a debut album, and their exceptional gift is to be compared with bands such as Volare or Anekdoten, who succeeded in an album[‘s]-time to impose themselves on the progressive rock scene. This sure ain’t neo at all, but even if it was issued on Musea’s New Music label, be sure that any prog fan fond of King Crimson, Gong, Magma, Univers Zero or Canterbury sound, will spend delight[ful] hours with this album which is for me the best debut since a very very long time.
Jerome Schmidt, Exposé (USA 1998)
Ground and Sky (USA – Jan. 2003)
“…This newest outing features only two pieces; the seven-part, 41-minute "Malstrøm" and the 27-minute "Wu". The former is the stand-out, its epic length almost entirely justified. Having two members of the quintet on violin and cello leads the proceedings towards chamber-rock, and the other shoe drops with the rock grounding of the guitar, bass, and drums… Some of the coolest moments come when the string instruments and guitar share a melodic lead with a chamber feel, while the rhythm section provides a jazzy swing underneath. When the band wants to turn up the pressure the guitar can take the lead with the strings providing color. I always like a lot of dynamic range, and in that respect Sotos comes through, from eerie near-quiet to dark and stormy… These guys are so talented, I have to think the best is yet to come. For now, Platypus will certainly go a long way in establishing their reputation.
Ultima Thule (England – Jan. 2003)
Two huge doses of fiery & dynamic Zeuhl meets chamber-rock, Univers Zero gone twisted? Lots of noodly & riffing/complex-drive work-outs with all sorts of fiddly stuff. Stunning!
It’s Too Damn Early (USA – November 2002)
This "progressive" five-piece band, featuring the unique line-up of violin, guitar, cello, bass, and percussion; has put out some very capable and interesting music here…there are plenty of fascinating moments that kept me listening. In some ways, the actual output is not amazingly experimental, but the way the band interacts and comes to it's musical "point" is. These traditional instruments are not modified in experimental or electronic ways, nor are they physically played in odd manners ; rather, they are grouped together and communicate with each other experimentally-- taking new roles and redefining the standard ways in which certain groups of instruments must interact.
All About Jazz (USA, Oct. 2002)
SOTOS : Platypus
They’ve been in existence and actively performing since the late 90s, as this release represents the follow up to their well-received self-titled debut. Hence, the press and others have compared this outfit to some of the more prolific “RIO” (Rock in Opposition) groups such as “Univers Zero,” and “Present,” among other icons such as “King Crimson.”
During the seven parts that comprise the first piece titled “Malstrom,” the quintet embarks upon a trail consisting of quaint, avant-chamber type episodes and thrashing progressive rock movements. They dabble with some free improvisation to coincide with moments of intricately enacted and generally affecting themes. Guitarist Yan Hazera employs distortion and sustain techniques amid Nicolas Cazaux (violin) and Nadia Leclerc’s (cello) often cagily executed contemporary classical and jazz based motifs…this group proposes an offshoot or minor extension to the path well traveled. As the artists’ provide an air of intrigue largely due to their cleverly articulated cross-genre approach…
Glenn Astarita
Downtown Music Gallery (NY, USA – September 2002)
Sotos – Platypus
(…) This has to be one of the finest progressive treasures of the year, everyone we've played this for has been completely blown away!