ROLLER

Most GOBLIN fans feel that "Roller" was their best album, but the band claims that "Suspiria" was their high water mark. This is an all instrumental record that has little to do with those horror movie soundtracks that they're famous for. This has more in common with the bands previous incarnation as CHERRY FIVE.

"Roller" features moog and synths (that's the advantage of two keyboard players) before a full sound arrives. This is so impressive ! Love the spacey organ as well that follows. Some prominant bass 3 1/2 minutes in. Great start. "Aquaman" opens with intricate guitar,keys and water sounds. Bass 1 1/2 minutes in, then drums a minute later. Gilmour-like guitar before 3 minutes is a nice touch. The organ comes in and it all sounds so good. It ends as it began. "Snip-Snap" is kind of a funky, jazzy tune with keys, drums, moog and guitar standing out. Cool song.

"Il Risveglio Del Serpente" is mostly acoustic guitar and piano melodies. "Goblin" is the longest track at over 11 minutes. It opens with the sound of horses walking on cobblestones. It sounds amazing before 2 minutes, I really like the drum and synth work. Abrasive guitar after 3 1/2 minutes with chunky bass is fantastic ! A calm with synths before 5 minutes. Drums, organ and moog come in as the tempo picks up. After 10 1/2 minutes the theme from earlier is repeated. Nice. "Dr. Frankestein" is darker with some intricate drumming. Piano and synths are added to this dark atmosphere. A change 4 minutes in as the tempo picks up.

For me this is a very solid 4 star album. Well done !