INVICTA

SYMPHONIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR?

The first thing occurred to me while listening to the new album of The Enid, was the soundtrack for the movie trilogy by famous Polish director Krzysztof Kieślowski "Three Colors", composed by Zbigniew Preisner (and favored by me, of course). After a short orchestral prelude "Anthropy" is coming track "One and The Many", which as if have been removed from some movie of aforementioned trilogy, most probably "Blue" . Its melancholic atmosphere, Payne's falsetto vocal, subtle orchestral arrangements, grand piano accompaniment - all perfectly creates a unique, beautifully-achingly nostalgic mood. Similarly onomatopoeic is also the composition "Heaven's Gate", the longest and actually only instrumental on the album.

Some songs, like "Who Created Me?", "Villain of Science" or "Execution Mob" as if they belonged, for a change, to some rock opera. In short, engagement of such a brilliant singer, which Joe Payne certainly is, just paid off!

I'm really excited about this record, which represents Symphonic Prog in its true sense and pure crystalline form. Everything blends perfectly here: distinctive singer, almost Gregorian vocals, sensitive orchestral arrangements along with perfect rock band sound. Of course, we haven't forget the soul of the whole line-up, and that's the main composer and keyboardist Robert John Godfrey.

For me, this is 2012 Top Symphonic album, undoubtedly. At the same time, it is a true masterpiece of The Enid and their factual stepping out of the shadow of uneventful, mostly instrumental albums issued by them since 1976. Hopefully this trend will continue! The only thing one could complain is no mention of casting of individual instruments of symphonic orchestra and choir...

Never mind, this album deserves much more attention from the Prog Rock community. And from me? 5 stars, how else? Highly recommended!

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