WAR DANCE

Another great album by Colosseum II, similar to the previous album, focus is on instruments and soloing and only one sung and romantic song. The keyboardist shows a vast array of influences including usual synths, Hammond and Moog but also electric piano.

Excellent tasty prog-rock soloing on the first title track and certain Camel influence a la "Moondance" is hearable towards the end. If you want a pompeous jazz-rock or fusion, this is the track mainly due to masterful keyboards.

"Major keys" is a lighter funky fusion number, reminding me of some Czechoslovak Blue Effect/Collegium Musicum around that time but of course they hardly knew about each other at that time ;)

The third track is a typical fast-paced Colosseum II track with excellent rhythm section and soloing by keyboards and guitar - let's put it that way! ;) "Castles" is a romantic ballad and not suiting on the album but with a clever melody and acceptable vocal. For me, keyboard textures are also a highlight.

"Fighting talk" and "Inquisition" are return to the fusion frenzy, mainly because of the speed of the song, although solos remain more faithful to progressive rock. Worth mentioning is Moore's acoustic guitar.

The most complex composition is by far "Star Maiden / Mysterioso / Qua" with sections and very progressive middle section because of irregular beat ending up all instruments running in a straightfoward speed. "Last exit" features wild guitar soloing but the track never actually picks up and feels like it's meant to be the end. Worth listening to as there is enough to explore for a long time.