DIRT BOX

Blackwater Park is one of those (german) bands who didn't survive enough in prog music to make any ripples around them. They disbanded very soon after releasing only one album in 1972 named Dirt box, not very easy to find album, but fortunately the Cd reissue was made by Spalanx and Second battle fiew years ago. The music is very uptempo with catchy tunes and hard edged guitars, and from time to time some hammond is present, more background, the exception is the opening track, the music is more a hard rock with prog leanings here and there. Now the album beggins very strong with Mental Block, followed by another two great tracks Roundabout and One's Life - here the guitar player Michael Fechner did a great job, making Richy Blackmore to think twice if he is the only guitar virtuoso of those times. The rest of the tracks are good but not very exciting, only good to listen from time to time. I like the vocal parts made by Richard Routledge, is very sure about his possibilities in singing and did a realy great job on this album. All in all a pleasent album , no doubt, desearves 3 stars easely, but not an amazing one, like other albums from krautrock or heavy prog from that period. Similarities with Goliath, May Blitz or Walpurgis.