GREEN EYED GOD

While trawling through my local independent record store (yes, I'm sensitive enough about what people think of my music buying habits that I'll put that!), I heard some markedly ominous music emanating from the store's stereo. I thought it sounded vaguely Black Widow-esque, and feeling rather proud of myself I checked with the bloke at the desk that I'd got the right band. Obviously I hadn't, but to make up for my mild shame in mistaking the band I decided to pick up a copy of the album, recently re-released on the Rise Above level with a couple of extra tracks and some extensive liner notes. What I experienced as I put the CD on was quite extraordinary.....

The particuarly ominous track I heard on the store stereo turned out to be 'Black Jewel of The Forest', a brooding track with a nice flute/drum build up before a particuarly mean sounding riff continues a doomy theme throughout the song. Eventually the song descends into a heavy bluesy chaos which is executed very well. Generally this seems to be the bands forte, delving into doomy, sometimes quite heavy riffs with woodwind hints ranging from flutes to saxophones and solid vocal work.

The storming opener 'Blood Runs Deep' is one of the best examples of the heavier side of the band; with a fast Uriah Heep esque bluesy riff combined with some neat saxophone work (making them fairly unique in the world of heavy metal!) and some interesting breaks courtesy of lighter guitar and a saxophone solo. 'Summers Child' is a slightly more odd sounding number, however the pulsing bass rhythm and the duel flute/guitar work mean the song is pulled off pretty effectively.

The third track however is easily the best and most unique on the album, 'Mijo And The Laying Of The Witch' boasts some intriguing mixtures of vaguely Middle-Eastern sounding guitar work and gentle saxophone to start with followed by a multitude of heavier sections without getting repetitive. 'Treadmill' is also a very capable song, even if it's one of the less original on the album. However, the band proves that it can pull off a trudging, slow paced and heavy hitting metal song very well with this in addition to the more progressive stuff.

The title track and the following 'Turn The Page Over' are slightly weaker, but both capable efforts. The title track does seem slightly like a deliberate attempt to do 'an epic' which isn't pulled off completely even if there's many enjoyable moments, while 'Turn The Page Over' sounds like a slightly Atomic Rooster esque piano ballad but not to quite the same standard. As previously mentioned, the next track, 'Black Jewel Of The Forest' is very strong, while the finishing 'Har Fleur' is an odd, if strangely effective way to finish the album.

The bonus tracks are also a treat on this release, of particular note is the single 'Get On The Line' which is very catchy while still sounding interesting enough to be an obvious 'prog single.' In all then, this Rise Above re-release was a highly worthwhile purchase, chocking in cheaper than the vinyl rarity and with a nice dew bonus tracks to boot as well as some historically detailed liner notes.