TUG OF WAR

Nice to see the band thank former drummer Paul Craddick in the liner notes. I still prefer their early albums to these later ones. Actually my "Tug Of War" disc has a bonus song which is a live version of "Below Zero" which was the first song on the "Wounded" record (their second album). I mention that because that song really made me feel good, I love that period of the band. A new keyboard player has been added to the band for this record in Bill Jenkins. Doug Ott played the keys along with his guitar on the previous album "Blink Of An Eye".

"Sinking Sand" opens with pounding drums and grinding guitar that are contrasted throughout with the verses that have piano and vocals but no guitar (except the final verse). "Tug Of War" features lyrics about the war we fight within ourselves and being our own worst enemy at times.The album cover front and back demonstrates this well. The music is heavy RUSH-like (2112) to open but never gets that heavy again. It becomes an uptempo track with organ and some great guitar before 4 minutes. Violin and some good bass follow. "Hold The Wind" has some prominant drumming early. A really good section 2 1/2 minutes in with TOOL-like drumming and synths. Bass joins the fun and a killer guitar solo 4 minutes in. "Beautiful" is ballad-like with piano and synths. Nice vocals.

"Queen Of The Informed" is a good song with a heavy intro. The drums,vocals and bass shine. The intro is reprised at the end of the song. "Living In A Movie" is a feel good song. ENCHANT are so good at making these types of tunes. "Long Way Down" is another catchy, melodic song. Good harmonies and some killer guitar 3 minutes in. I like some parts of this song a lot. "See No Evil" is lyrically about how society has blurred the lines between right and wrong. It sounds beautiful a minute in. A tasteful guitar solo 4 minutes in with a great ending. "Progtology" is my favourite track. An instrumental with some mellotron and even some bass solos ! This is incredible ! "Comatose" is the final song, and it's very ballad-like opening with piano. Vocals join in followed by some crying guitar. A full sound 3 minutes in including an extended guitar solo.

3.5 stars. This one keeps growing on me but there are too many bland moments to go along with the excellent ones. Still this is above average.