THE ALLEGORY OF LIGHT

This is a seventies inspired Symphonic record that is quite modern sounding, even recalling SPOCKS BEARD on the first track. These guys really show their stuff on this mostly instrumental record.

"M.O.T.H." won me over the first time I heard it. This is my favourite track on the album. It takes a minute but once it gets going i'm reminded of SPOCK'S BEARD with the flurries of sound. The drumming,keys and guitar are all top notch. It settles down as vocals come in. I like them. Strummed guitar helps out and what sounds like mellotron. It kicks back in a minute later with Howe-like guitar. Nice heavy rhythm 5 minutes in. Vocals and a calmer sound 6 minutes in. It doesn't last long,check out the guitar after 7 minutes and after 8 minutes. Ripping guitar 10 minutes in as well. The drumming is outstanding. "Beggar's Tale" is a pleasant song of mostly acoustic guitar and vocals. "Distant Light" opens with what sounds like mellotron as drums and a full sound come bursting in quickly. The drums and guitar shine bright on this one. Nice rhythm 2 minutes in. More mellotron after 3 minutes. The guitar starts to rip it up 4 minutes in. "Zinjanthropus" is led by piano early. How amazing does this sound 2 minutes in. Excellent guitar 4 1/2 minutes in. It settles back down with piano 7 minutes in. Blistering guitar and a full sound before 12 minutes.

"Industryopolis" surprisingly has a lot of industrial sounds including metallic percussion. The guitar is great. Lots of instrumental fire works on this one. "Forbidden" opens with acoustic guitar as reserved vocals join in. I like the brief background vocals 2 minutes in. Church bells end it. Sad song. "Light Speed" is not one of my favourites. It's a fast paced instrumental show that does little for me. "The Journey Of Myrrdin" makes up fo it though. Killer guitar to open, and the pulsating keys are fantastic. The guitar fires off some more rounds before the keys are back. Check out the drumming ! Nice heavy sound 2 minutes in followed by mellotron. The guitar 5 minutes in continues to impress. It calms right down 7 1/2 minutes in becoming atmospheric. The guitar destroys that mood 11 minutes in. A catchy beat follows. We get piano for almost 1 1/2 minutes before a spacey finale.

A low 4 stars from me even though this is so well played and arranged.