CHILDREN OF ANOTHER GOD

After playing with The Enid and Autumn keyboard player Nick Magnus joined The Steve Hackett Band on the road during their Please Don't Touch tour in 1978, my first Hackett solo gig, in a long row. Of course I was delighted to witness the guitarist of my beloved 70-77 Genesis, but I was also impressed by Nick Magnus, wonderfully colouring the Hackett solo compositions with his wide range of vintage keyboards (layered with the Mellotron M400), to me Nick Magnus sounded as a Tony Banks Plus!

Nick performed on a lot of Hackett solo albums and did many tours with Hackett, then Nick contributed to studio albums of Duncan Browne, China Crisis and Renaissance. In 1993 Nick released his first solo album entitled Straight On Until Morning, followed by Inhaling The Green (1999), Hexameron (2004), Children Of Another God (2010) and N'Monix (2014). This review is about his fourth effort, with the fascinating title Children Of Another God, featuring contributions by The Steve Hackett Band members brother John (flute) and singer Pete Hicks (not every Hackett's fan favourite, he was even booed during band introductions!).

I had to get used to the sound on Children Of Another God, but after a few listening sessions a got more and more excited. And finally took the conclusion that this album contains nine tasteful and varied compositions, alternating between bombastic 24-carat symphonic rock and accessible progressive pop.

The album opens with the long title track that is drenched into the sound of 76-77 Genesis and 1975-1983 Steve Hackett, due to the combination of lush Mellotron, twanging acoustic guitars and Moog Taurus bass pedals. This is topped by fiery guitar runs, with spectacular use of the wah-wah pedal.

Then a few tracks that sound more accessible and polished, but the keyboard work is outstanding and varied. Good examples are the catchy Doctor Prometheus (sultry Eastern sounding keyboards and powerful guitar), the instrumental Twenty Summers and the mellow Identity Theft.

Next the alternating The Colony Is King that delivers a lot of progrock joy featuring majestic Mellotron violins and choirs, along classical flute and flowing, harder-edged guitar work.

The following track is Crimewave Monkeys: it alternates between symphonic rock and pop with a decent role by Pete Hicks, and Nick with his layers of Hammond and Mellotron, concluded with a fluent synthesizer solo.

Then the beautiful ballad The Others featuring very warm vocals by Linda John-Pierre, wonderfully blended with a great Mellotron sound (flute - and violin section) and sensitive electric guitar.

Now it's time for my highlight entitled Babel Tower that delivers all ingredients to carry you away to a Symphonic Rock Heaven. In the first part sumptuous keyboards, powerful Moog Taurus bass pedals and moving guitar work (with biting wah-wah). The conclusion is breathtaking with a compelling guitar solo, supported by majestic violin ' and choir-Mellotron, goose bumps!

The final track is the beautiful ballad Howl The Stars Down with tender Grand piano and intense vocals, halfway a string-ensemble sound joins, what a splendid way to conclude this strong solo effort by Nick Magnus.

I am sure this CD will appeal to many progheads who love this very tasteful and varied bridge between symphonic rock and progressive pop.