SACRIFICE

I got acquainted by this band a very long time ago. A friend of mine lend me once a CBS compilation called Fill Your Head With Rock in 1971. One song of theirs was featured (I guess that you all can imagine which one).

The opening track In Ancient Days is a mix of psychedelia combined with heavy keys. Invading brass can be heard as well. Such a song might sound outdated but it is always a pleasure to listen to. It is very much in the style available during that period. I quite like the song.

When you would listen to the most famous piece from this album, you will notice some evident Tull influences. There are fine fluting, good harmony and hypnotic rhythm: all this being topped by some now famous lyrics. I have loved this track instantly; at the time (I was twelve years old) the lyrics remained alien to me, but I was already attracted by, let's say, a special mood. This is the second highlight.

This album is a long blend of heavy sources (bass and brass combined with strong drumming) and more sophisticated (prog) moments.

The most delicate in the genre is Seduction which starts very gently. Almost a pastoral affair: the sweet fluting is definitely providing this lighter aspect and the use of some orchestrations only adds to the feeling. An instrumental and jazzy part takes the relay at half time but the psyche taste is still noticeable. The song beautifully ends as it had started: almost Trespass-esque. Another good song after all.

This album is rather pleasant: no weak tracks are to be found and it should be appealing to the ones interested in the early seventies. Heavy psychedelic? Maybe. But prog for sure (Attack Of The Demon).

The closing track also has a lot to share with Tull (who released Benefit the same year as this album). The backing band is excellent and I am quite found of the great fluting during the middle part. The whole song (over eleven minutes) is an ode to heavy music. It is a solid boogie track and it is is a great way to close. It is my preferred track of this album. Seven out of ten. OK, I'll upgrade it to four stars.