HYBRIS

Right off the get go when the piano gavs way to the first swell of symphonic orgasm on Earthsmoke, I fell in love. This album is wonderful and sounds like it came straight out of the early 70's. This album is so good it's in the top 25 'key' Symphonic Prog albums section, and the other 24 are from the 70's, and this... from 1992. I am at a loss for words. Brooding dark atmospheres with touches of light, floating piano and keyboards, brutal crunching bass lines, face-melting guitar riffs, beautiful flute interludes rivaling those of Andy Latimer, everything you could ever want in music. The album artwork is mysterious and beautiful, and stands as a perfect first impression and embodiment of the music. As for my favorite track.. I'd have to say Earthsmoke or Wanderings in Confusion. If I understood the lyrics, I'd probably lean more towrds the latter, but it's a tough call. The only thing I could do without on the album is the weird circus theme or whatever it's supposed to be on the intro to the third track, From Strength to Strength. It's hardly enough to spoil much appeal, as it only lasts for about ten seconds, but that aside, this album is WONDERFUL, and it's becoming one of my all time favorites. Also worth mentioning is that this album is totally unique and not a ripoff of anything, although the influences are obvious- (Yes, some Genesis, and a bunch of KC for the hard edges and the punch.) It is totally fresh and 100% original. It hasn't come out of my CD player for a solid week now, and I don't forsee that happening anytime soon. A masterpiece of progressive music if there ever was one! ---Enjoy---