SOLA SCRIPTURA

Back in the Middle Ages the only people who had access to a Bible were the leaders of the Catholic church. Church and State were closely linked back then, and the population at large were at their mercy and had to follow their rules and orders. Martin Luther challenged all this solely on what the Bible said, stating that "Salvation" was a free gift of God paid in full by Jesus Christ's death, and received soley by faith, not by obeying the church or religion. Luther would be ex-communicated for telling the truth. He would become the father of the Protestant church, and he also translated the Bible into the language of the people.The printing press had been invented by then so the common people finally had access to God's word. Thankyou Wikipedia for the information.

Once again Morse teams up with George and Portnoy. One significant guest is guitarist extraordinaire Paul Gilbert who offers up a variety of jaw dropping solos. By the way "Sola Scriptura" means "Only according to the Scriptures", how appropriate.

"The Door" opens with bombast and Portnoy is especially outstanding here. Check him out before a minute ! Killer organ 3 1/2 minutes in followed by mellotron as it settles somewhat. It kicks back in as mellotron storms in again with more furious drumming. The first 5 minutes of this song are incredible ! Vocals then come in as it calms down. The song kicks back in before 8 minutes and powerful organ joins in the all out assault. GENTLE GIANT-like vocal section follows. A lighter melody takes over before 10 minutes. Here we go again 14 minutes with ripping guitar and chunky bass as drums pound. Great instrumental section after 17 1/2 minutes. Scorching guitar solo too. Another mellow section and mellotron is back 25 minutes in. What follows is spoken words, piano then reserved vocals. It's that over one minute guitar solo from Gilbert though that brings tears. My God !

"The Conflict" is heavy like the intro of the first track only Gilbert is here setting it on fire. Blistering guitar work as Morse comes in spitting out the lyrics in defiance.This is killer ! This is complete bliss until it lightens 4 minutes in. Actually this section is also pretty amazing. Another change after 7 minutes as the tempo picks up and we get male choirs that come and go. The organ is ripping it up 9 1/2 minutes in. It stays fairly laid back until before 17 minutes when it gets heavy and Morse gets passionate on vocals. This ends before 19 1/2 minutes as it ends with a moving section. I like the lyrics. "Heaven In My Heart" is a ballad of piano, strings and reserved vocals. I would have rathered it wasn't on here. "The Conclusion" is the 16 1/2 minute closer. More fantastic drumming and instrumental work here.The bass is huge ! They contrast the heaviness with mellow sections throughout to great affect. The mellotron is loud and proud as well.

The three longer tracks are all outstanding, this is what Prog is all about.This is my second favourite Morse solo album after "?".

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