STAND UP

What followed the ''Quest'' album was an exhausting tour for Final Conflict, including dates both in the UK and Europe.During this period they managed also to be signed by Angular Records.The Gaolhouse Studios would again receive the talents of the band for the upcoming ''Stand up'' album.Dealing with social issues, this output was eventually released in 1997.

The 5-year period between the previous and the present album and the mass of live performances seem to have affected positively the 92'-established line-up with Final Conflict appearing here more tight and consistent with directed songwriting, inspired melodies and endless energy.Lying somewhere between PALLAS and JADIS, they deliver a dynamic and powerful Neo Prog with straight rockin' grooves, deep and atmospheric synthesizers and a great ability to switch between sharp passages and more elaborate textures.The new tracks are quite long, having a style which is based on groovy lines, lyrical expansions, decent guitar work and soaring synthesizers with the pompous but rather weak moments of the previous release being quite limited in the sake of a more atmospheric songwriting.Of course there are a few AOR flavors still present, reminding TRISTAN PARK or 2HOT4U, but the overall result is impressive with balanced instrumentation, memorable material and a crystalline production all the way.The 15-min. epic closer ''Stop'' is among the nice tracks produced by a Neo Prog band during the 90's: Emphatic music with great MARILLION-esque guitar work, muddy symphonic keyboards in the background, plenty of lyrical and tempo twists and a fantastic PINK FLOYD-ian outro with a spacey atmosphere, created by the floating organ and the melancholic guitar solos.

A great third effort by Final Conflict with the band apparently being back on track on producing well-composed and highly energetic music.Recommemded.