TO SHATTER ALL ACCORD

Ever listened to VDGG and wondered what they would sound like if Hamill toned down the hysterics, the guitar was emphasized, and they just generally rocked out harder and longer?

I don't think this album gets all the way there, but it's as close as anything else I have heard, and it's awesome. To Shatter All Accord is simply one of those albums that I heard the very first time and knew I would keep coming back to it. As I've revisited it (many, many times), I keep hearing new things that blow my mind. This album is a showcase for both great prog composition and excellently textured music.

Circuitry/Walls is a great start, as the two form one extended track for me. It starts in a vaguely Sabbath manner and gradually morphs into a killer prog crescendo wall of sound. It's heavily overdubbed, and therefore probably not terribly fit for live delivery, but it's a killer prog track in general.

Dead City was also a highlight for me, as I don't necessarily expect shorter songs on prog albums to be this memorable (I know, I'm guilty of length discrimination!); however, this track is on par with Can-Utility by Genesis in my book. It's got a nice funky rhythm with a missing beat, some Emminence Front keys, and a great instrumental break with a huge crescendo. Just great stuff.

When She Dreams is the track that I may skip. It's too long, although it is a bit catchy when I'm in the right mood.

Of course, the absolute highlight is Rogue. This track is just a monster of menacing prog and dissonance galore. I love the playfulness in time signatures, the absolute cacophony of sound in the middle freakout section, and the textures of the keys. Again, this is just great studio prog. I perhaps would prefer to have a gigantic finale for an epic of this quality, as I think the material in the back 5 minutes is the weakest of the song, but it certainly works quite well as is, and Discipline deserve much credit for laying it down.

In short, this album occupies an essential place in my collection for dark, retro prog. As it's the best of this admittedly subjective genre, I have no qualms about placing this in 5-star, masterpiece territory.