REDRESS THE BALANCE

I had a feeling this CD was different from the rest of Final Conflict's discography. And I found later I was right. After buying all their post Redress in Balance output I finally got this CD. From track one onwards two things are very clear: 1) all the basics elements of FC sound are right here and 2) they had yet to find their own style. The two vocalists were already doing their trademark exchange leads in a very harmonic way they still do. Subtle and yet very effective and original. The excellent musicianship shows through, specially during the guitar solos. However, the songs are not up to level they would soon achieve in latter CDs. In fact, very soon. Next year's Quest would show the band improving so much that Redress the Balance sounds almost like other band trying to emulate Final conflict!

So if you're not familiar to FC sound, this is not the CD to start. It's not bad at all, but their songwriting here is way below their average stock we know and love. It's almost a blueprint of things to come. Certainly the arrival of keyboardist Steve Lipiec would improve a lot their sound and I believe he was the missing piece for the perfect FC chemistry to work So I think this CD is for the one's who already have the rest of the Final Conflicts discography and want to know how they started.

I don't know much about this band, I only have this album in my possession for a long time. I played it a couple of times when I just bought it but wasn't really impressed. It's not bad but nothing significant here. The songs are more or less alike sometimes some nice guitarriffs but no outstanding performance at all. Wind of Change is the most striking song, a little bit commercial but nothing real special.

In the discography I noticed they made a couple of albums later on, probably improved somewhat but never became a highflyer in the progscene. Just what I had in mind. I give this 3 stars because it's not bad or ugly music (2.75).

Final Conflict already recorded two albums prior to this one : "Channel 8" in 1987 and "The Time Has Arrived" in 1989. They were released on the band's own label Future Records but completely disappeared from their discography (this information is available on their official web-site).

So, this album can be considered as their debut one. It is a straight forward melodic neo-prog work. Very much in the style of "Clepsydra" for instance but not as catchy.

This music doesn't hurt of course, but this work sounds a bit flat even if a song like "The Time Has Arrived" shines out. This is absolutely not the case for "Across The Room" : an infect, syrupy and easy listening pop song. Same sort of story as "For Absent Friends" (the Dutch band).

But the whole album is not as weak. Some irruption into a more heavy style ("Pangaea's Child") at least breaks the uniform mood of "Redress The Balance". This is also noticeable during "Rebellion". By far the best track from this work. Sounding almost metal at times, but melodic as well. The guitar play is particularly well crafted. The highlight.

But consistency is not the rule here. The next "Wind Of Change" is again on the weak side (if you would except the wonderful guitar again).

This is not a great record. It should please guitar fans, but don't expect the long and passionate "Pendragon" ones. It is an average debut. Two stars.