TOCCATA

Mekong Delta

Tech/Extreme Prog Metal

4.08 | 9 ratings

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Headphones on!

INTRODUCTION
Normally I don't review singles/EP's, but in the case of Mekong Delta's "Toccata" I'm more than willing to make an exception. Firstly because it's still not rated on PA and secondly because especially the title track surely deserves more attention.
The single contains three previously unreleased tracks. Two of them are covers and the other one is an adaptation of the track "Interludium (Begging For Mercy)" on Mekong Delta's album "The Music Of Erich Zann".

TRACK by TRACK
1) Toccata [8/10]
2) Black Betty [5/10]
3) Interludium (2nd version) [7/10]

CONCLUSION
What I like so much about Mekong Delta is their almost unique ability to successfully blend classical music with eruptions of ultra heavy thrash metal. On this single it did work out remarkebly well for the title track. IMO it is at least as good as ELP's version. Some of the lead guitar parts remind me of Voivod's "Dimension Hatr�ss" (and that is not a bad thing!).
However with the second track, the Ram Jam cover "Black Betty", I do have a problem. Musically it's quite good, but the vocals aren't up to par. Probably it was meant as a joke but I still don't like it.
The third and final track is still a decent track but is lacking something in comparison to the original. The new version has been shortened (why?) and some of the fantastic lead guitar sections have been omitted.
All in all I consider this album as an excellent addition to any prog music collection. The way Mekong Delta succeeds in incorporating classical music and metal with the single "Toccata" should appeal to a lot of prog (metal) fans. Tip-off: Listen to the title track with headphones!

Album rating: 66% = 4 stars

Draconean | 4/5 | 2007-3-17

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