ARGUS

This bluesy hard prog rock masterpiece is certainly one of the very best of the genre and has a lot of merit for the twin guitar attack, which is its most definite characteristic, and which would later influence bands like Iron Maiden. The virtuosity of the two guitarist is impressive to say at least, but what always strikes me is the fact that they both play with the exact same tone, attack and approach, making them virtually impossible to distinguish, and all that without sounding like the average blues lead guitar. It sometimes sounds like two tracks of the same guitarist duelling himself passionately, and the result is nothing short of amazing.

"Time Was" starts out slowly, like a folk-rock ballad, before bursting into a groovy, southern rock-like second part which contains superb guitar leads and a simple but effective bass work.

The same pattern is kind of repeated on the second track "Sometime World", but in an even more effective way this time. The track starts out slowly and progresses into a more upbeat part with a great bass riff. Awesome guitar guitar work also, as always. This might be the most heartfelt track on the whole album.

"Blowin' Free" is the bluesiest track on the album, quite forgettable, but nevertheless very pleasant. I definitely never grow tired of that one.

"The King Will Come" starts the second side of the LP brilliantly, with that epic intro building up to two great riffs (one on guitar and one on bass) playing simultaneously and perfectly complementing each other. Both instruments are on their very best on this track, and I'm thinking especially about these twin guitar solos around 3:15, which represent more the classic Wishbone Ash sound than anything on this album. Around 4:30 comes the most proggy moment of the album, a true highlight, and it leads to a return to the main riff to close the track brilliantly.

"Leaf and Stream" is probably the less impressive track out here, though it's quite beautiful. There's not a lot to remark here, except great guitar playing, just as usual.

"Warrior" is another stunning track, featuring one of my all time favorite hard rock intros and many of my favorite guitar exchanges between Powell and Turner. The lyrics are wonderful- and wonderfully delivered, and this could have been a perfect album closer. I know I said earlier in this review that "The King Will Come" was the best track here but it really was no easy choice, as these two tracks are to me the two greatest Wishbone Ash classics.

While the previous one could have been the perfect album closer, "Throw Down the Sword" is not so bad either, even if there are at least 5 better tracks on the rest of this record (1,2,3,4,6). Overall it's a great track, but it might lacks the epic feel an album finale should have (especially one with a concept). Fortunately, it is saved by a heart wrenching guitar exchange between the two virtuosos.

Finally, the bonus track "No Easy Road" is also very pleasant, but happily hasn't been included on the final record final record, cause it would have been totally out of place.

9/10