ELEGANT STEALTH

WOW, we've waited 9 years, since BONA FIDE, to hear an album as good as this from these guys, and i can assure you......its been well worth the wait. If your looking for ARGUS, then you won't find it here. But there is a chance of it finding their best since ( at least top 3 )!!! [p]

The band have been going for over 40 years now, and understandingly we would assume that they may not be going for much longer. But from the evidence on show here, that certainly does'nt seem to be the case. [p]

Andy Powell, who has been with the band since its inception has never sounded so good ( vocally ). As you would expect his axe work is nothing short of brilliance, he really batters them solo's here!!! [p]

There is also a return to this album of chief writing partner and twin axe man, Muddy Manninen, who has been with the band since 2004. Drummer extraordinare, Joe Crabtree, who joined in 2007 and Long time bassist Bob Skeat. There is also room for a few special guests on this album, Don Airey (Deep Purple / Ozzy Osbourne / Black Sabbath) and Pat McManus (Mamas Boys / Celtus / Pat McManus Band) who add Keyboards and Fiddle to the sound. [p]

Top songs on this album come in the form of Reason to Believe, which was put out as a single and is a great catchy number. Warm Tears starts with a nice bit of blues before it hits the harmonies and fantastic TWIN GUITAR sound. Probably up there with some of the best songs this band has ever recorded. Can't Go It Alone, which is opened with the fiddle and is a top Folk/Prog number. Searching For Satalites is the slow number here, reminding me a little of FLEETWOOD MAC and a little of PINK FLOYD. Andy shows off his vocal talents amazingly in this wonderful song. Heavy Weather switches from Blues to Prog to 80s hair rock and back again, a very enjoyable prog song. The final one is Big Issues, all i need to say is listen to the solo!!!! [p]

The other songs are enjoyable, but as with most albums, certain songs seem to stand out more. I would'nt say that there is a poor song on ELEGANT STEALTH, but as i say some stand out more than others. [p]

I have given the album 4 out of 5 because even though there is a couple of proggy numbers on the album, i would'nt call it a Prog album as such. This band has always fluctuated its musical style, from the heavy metal of Raw To The Bone, to the Prog album Argus and as far as a dance album called Trance Visionary. What i love about this band, and on this album imparticular, is there abillity to play different sounds and not make themselves sound repetitive. Ergo, thats why you will find it here. [p]

That was my first review and hope i did'nt bore you too much, thank you for taking the time to read this. Go buy the album and i can assure you, you won't be disappointed!!