PERPETUAL

Fourth release by this Polish band, after Egoist, Straw Andy and Unbroken Spirit Lives in Us. I am happy to report that, in my view, the band, which was previously going progressively downhill, seems to have stopped (if not wholly reversed) the sad trend.

I thought Egoist was a top-notch album with sufficient variation (and guitar breaks) within the tracks to maintain interest throughout - think of (a less dynamic) Landmarq or, say, Janison Edge.

The first half of Straw Andy maintains the standard of its predecessor. However, there is an alarming deterioration towards the end where the band seems to be re-positioning itself squarely as middle-of-the-road rock balladeers: all heartfelt lyrics and over-dramatic wailing guitars. This is a trademark prog conceit, designed (supposedly) to add weight and depth to its surroundings, but selectivity is the key: a succession of maudlin ballads is enough to send you scurrying to the hills, to scrape your knuckles on the rocks.

Much of Unbroken Spirit Lives in Us reinforces the trend, with the title track being a particular culprit. "Nothing will change before we die" pleads Sabina on Awakening. Quite right, too - any more of this and we'll all need putting out of our collective misery before the night is over. Thankfully, the closing two-parter, The End, is hauntingly beautiful and serves wholly to restore your faith in the human condition.

And so to Perpetual. Crikey! The band has now thrown in electric violins for good measure. Still too much dramatic blancmange for my liking (eg December), and too much contrived jauntiness (eg Don't say a Word) , but at least the band has rediscovered some grit and balls...although not enough to raise the overall score above 3 stars.

Having belatedly noted from the scores on the doors that Egoist is actually the least regarded album to date, I went back and had another listen. First time I had done so in many years, and I thought maybe my memory was playing tricks. Then I listened again to the other three as well. No change - Egoist is definitely the only one where each and every track stands on its own feet. All in all, I reckon it's streets ahead of any of its successors; and if you want to hear the band at its best, and leave your knuckles undamaged, I recommend that you don't stray beyond it.