ONE MORE SLICE

After the release of ''Room for surprise'' keyboardist Siri Seland left Fruitcake and was replaced by Helge Skaarseth.For unknown reasons the band dissolved in early 1997, but a few months later Sovik decided to reform Fruitcake with Skaarseth on keyboards, Olav Nygard on bass and guitarist Robert Hauge, who had previously played in ''How to make it'' and helped the band in several live performances.At the fall of 97' the new album ''One more slice'' was released on Cyclops.I do not know if former bassist Tore Bo had still connections with the band, but he was also credited among the composers of the album.

Fruitcake finally had grown in what they supposed to be during their early years: A solid retro-styled Neo Prog band, which had a unique talent in composition, but this time Sovik appears to have worked better with his voice and his performance becomes less and less annoying.This is big-time dramatic Progressive Rock with lovely organ-flavored GENESIS involvements, soaring synthesizers and atmospheric guitar parts, highlighted by some excellent solos.And I even hear some (sampled?) Mellotron in the process, unless it's the same organ used previously in an extended execution.The development of the band comes not only in their already familiar style with all these GENESIS, CAMEL and PINK FLOYD influences, but they even introduce some folky climates and Medieval-like textures in the process.The music is absolutely sufficient with impressive instrumental passages and a certain symphonic edge, reminding me a bit of the Swedish THE FOUNDATION.Lots of grandiose guitar moves, orchestral keyboard lines and some softer moments, when the CAMEL inspiration prevails.Some harder electric moments are not absent either, but they are always kept to a balanced level next to the always refined and lush keyboard stylings.

Definitely the most 70's-sounding and symphonic of all Fruitcake albums so far.A step towards the right direction with finally some bearable vocals and usually a very good composing level.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.