AFTER CRYING 6

After Crying is one of my favorite prog bands from the 90's, using instruments you don't normally hear in a prog band; trumpets, trombones, bassoons and the like. Having such an eclectic assortment of instruments the band can play many types of music. They can be bombastic ala ELP, play American dancehall and jazz, shred guitars on the Metal tip and play straight-up symphonic. This album has it all. I especially love one the have a guest female singer, "Providence/Dance with the Sleep-Walker Marionettes" starts beautifully, classical with Judit Andrejszki wonderful vocals coming in on the second part. There are a few metal riff-like tracks, "Salto Mortale" is one case. They sing mostly in a accented English pulling it off rather well, but lyrically it's dicey. The ELP touches are super, with "Conclusion" being the best. Overall, if you're looking for some excellent Symphonic prog with fantastic horn work and a classical shade to wash the whole album you'd be hard pressed to find a better modern album. These guys are one of if not the best in the business. This album with it's mix of sounds would be the best starting point for newbies and if you're enjoying it, try their earlier more classical/symph albums. A band where everyone should own at least one of their albums. GREAT stuff!