THE RISE OF THE ARTISAN

Andy Lawton and I were chatting one day, and I happened to mention that not only were Final Conflict the first band ever to send me a CD to review, they were also the very first band to give me a t-shirt the first time I saw them play at The Standard. We both laughed over not only had the shirt gone missing but also the size of body it used to fit ' we were born within a week of each other in 1963, and we were reminiscing over a time nearly 30 years ago ' so imagine my surprise when the new album turned up, and also in the envelope was a 'new' t-shirt for 'Redress The Balance' in the correct size so I could wear it with pride! So to the album, which for some reason has taken eight years to appear since 'Return of the Artisan', but I note the band are currently indicated as a four-piece as drummer Henry Rogers is no longer involved, which may have caused some issues. As ever, the band is fronted by Andy Lawton (guitars, lead vocals) and Brian Donkin (guitars, lead vocals) and they are joined by Steve Lipiec (keyboards) and Barry Elwood (bass). Steve has been there since the wonderful second CD 'Quest' back in 1992 while Barry is just a newbie having only played on the last album and this one (drums on the album are provided by Eden Longson).

Final Conflict always stood out among the neo-prog bands of the 90's as there really was no-one else quite like them. Not only did they have two lead singers, but both frontmen also played electric guitar, which provided a very different dynamic indeed, yet they never veered into the realm of prog metal. Racking my brain, the only other prog band of the time I can remember with two guitarists were Jump, who also had a sound very much their own and were quite different to FC (I did see Threshold a few times back in the early days but they were also way more metallic). Putting this album on was like being reintroduced to an old friend, as although the songs are all new, FC truly are distinctive and I have always felt they never really got the attention and acclaim they deserved ' perhaps if they had been able to play London more often it would have been different, and with this being just their third album in 14 years they have not been the most active. But quality always beats quantity, and here we have an album which demonstrates just why they have been able to keep going for so long. Strong material combined with good vocals, often dual harmony, keyboards providing backdrop and finesse to strong rock hooks, and a rhythm section which understands when to be in your face and when to drop back and let the others take control. It is a very easy album to listen to, Final Conflict have always been more songs-based then 'see how clever I am', and they always make me think of BJH even though they sound nothing like them.

Final Conflict have to my mind always been one of the finest neo prog bands around, and although that term is used by some to denigrate the music being performed, to me it is a true sub-genre, with these guys being one of the best exponents. Although there are a few moments when the music is somewhat reminiscent of Winter, it generally just reminds me of classic Final Conflict. I still have 'Redress The Balance' in my playlist some 29 years on from when I first heard it, and I can see 'The Rise of the Artisan' joining it.

This UK Neo-prog formation was founded in 1985 by singer Brian Donkin and singer/guitarist Andy Lawton. Two years later the band released its debut entitled Channel 8 (a demo tape), in 1989 followed by The Time Has Arrived (also as a demo tape). In 1992 Final Conflict released the album Redress The Balance, my first musical encounter with the band. I even witnessed Final Conflict in the legendary Dutch venue Paradiso in Amsterdam during a SI Music triple-concert (in September 1992), with Dutch formation Wings Of Steel and fellow UK band Galahad. One year later Final Conflict released Quest. Then the band kept on releasing albums but with long breaks: Stand Up in 1997, Hindsight in 2003, Simple in 2006, the release of Final Conflict its first live DVD and CD entitled Another Moment In Time in 2009, Return Of The Artisan in 2012 and recently The Rise Of The Artisan (2020). This is the second part of a trilogy, 'The Artisan' is a character struggling in a world dominated by mercenary and financially based decision makers. Meanwhile long-time drummer Chris Moyden died in 2005, due to a long lasting disease, his loss was a great blow to Final Conflict, both personally and musically.

Over the last 35 years Final Conflict have gigged extensively both in the UK and abroad, and continue to generate an increasingly substantial fan base both in the live arena and through their back catalogue. Its success was acknowledged in 2007, when they were nominated in 5 categories at The Classic Rock Society's BOTY awards. They were voted second best band and also received rave reviews for their powerful live shows. In 2008, at the same awards, they were presented with the MD's award by Steve Hackett of Genesis.

I was very curious to this album (featuring founding members Donkin and Lawton) because I haven't listened to Final Conflict since Redress The Balance and Quest, and because its music is way more appreciated after these two albums. The precursor The Return Of The Artisan is even considered as the band its best work, so high expectations! Well, during my first listening session I notice that this Final Conflict sounds 'a million miles' more interesting, dynamic and elaborate than the Final Conflict I know from the 1991 and 1992 albums. A strong point is the colouring of the music by the guitars and keyboards, in almost every composition these instruments add a special flavour. Like a spacey synthesizer solo and a fiery guitar solo in A Clockwork Echo. Pink Floyd kind of guitar parts in Stop & Stare, a pitchbend driven synthesizer solo and fiery guitar in the hypnotizing 4 Domains. Catchy piano runs with strong vocals in This Pulse. And lush Hammond organ and mellow vocals in the final song Breaking The Cycle (post Roger Waters Pink Floyd atmosphere).

My highlight is the titletrack. First sound effects, then a tight beat with a bombastic sound delivering powerful organ and guitar riffs, no doubt, this is the realm of Neo-prog (with hints from Pallas). Next a mellow part with piano and tender vocals, gradually the music turns more lush featuring sultry keyboard sound, pleasant vocals and powerful guitar riffs. After a mellow part with a dreamy Floydian synthesizer solo and moving electric guitar solo, finally a slow rhythm with melancholy vocals, culminating in a bombastic conclusion with a compelling guitar solo.

Well done by these Neo-Prog veterans!

My rating: 3,5 star.

This review was previously published on the website of Background Magazine, the oldest Dutch progrock source.