UZED

This is my favorite UZ album. I'm not sure why this should be...it shows them going in a different direction than the first three albums. Somewhat more melody based but no less gloomy and panic-striken than the others. Synthesizers appear here for the first time, understated but to good effect (similar to their use in Magma's Udu Wudu). I would compare this recording to Magma (minus the chanting) or Lizard/Islands era King Crimson (in mood only). This album is a good place to start with UZ since it is more accessible than, say, 1313 or Ceux du Dehors. One highlight for me, is the end of Celesta, where what I believe is a cello, is tortured to the point of sounding like human groaning and screaming, against an ominous death riff. Beautiful stuff. And surprisingly, recorded in the '80's when most people think that Marillion was carrying the progressive torch...wrong! Not to beat up Marillion, I actually enjoy listening to them. But this is much meatier and more meaningful to my dark soul. A deserved five-star rating for one of my favorite bands.