MYSTIC LAND

Like a few other German groups of a certain vintage,. among them RAMSES and ROUSSEAU, WERWOLF were content to offer low complexity, at times simplistic, approaches to prog rock, verging on melodic rock. As the decades passed, occasional reunions of those former one offs resulted in new releases. Just as the better known names were mainstreaming their sound, so were those who barely strayed in the first place. In fact, RAMSES' 21st century albums hold at least as much integrity as their 1970s "classics". The same can be said for WERWOLF's 2014 release after a 30 year absence following "Creation".

The tracks are shorter but still meaty, and, with the return of two main members and the wise choice of recruiting a female vocalist again, we have a blend of ballads and occasional hard rock that is closer to symphonic rock than the prog folk assignation. It's mostly quite pleasant, with one remake in "Way to Paradise", and solid title track and a varied repertoire that seems at its most effective when succinct lead guitar is weaved in. The stretch between "Let the Children Play" and "So Long" being especially appealing, more so with each listen. I especially enjoy the oom pa pa underpinnings of "New Day". The finale is a surprise with founder Peter Besting taking gruff lead vocal; it should have been trimmed back a minute or two but no major complaints.

Granted there is no "Land of the Flying Pigs" or "The Eighth Day here", but some among us might consider these faux epics to have been flagrant transgressions of the prog aesthetic anyways. I am not sure anyone was expecting anything at this juncture, so you may ignore, eschew or accept the down to earth "Mystic Land" with subdued gratitude.