AFTERSHOCK

This is the follow-up album to 'Thunderstruck' as it is the second part of that live album, and marks the end of an era for the band as it will be the last album to feature keyboard player Steve Leigh. Although the band have been a little careless with vocalists over the years (with Damian Wilson doing the hokey cokey, Moon never recording, and now Tracey who was the person they originally wanted to front the band years ago), this is the first time that they have had a change of 'musician'. So the future is now with Spanish keyboardist Gonzalo Carrera (ex Galadriel etc), but this album looks back with five of the six numbers taken from the three Damian albums.

Tracy has long been one of my favourite female singers, and she gives the songs a different edge to that from Damian who was a very hard act to follow indeed. The fact that the guys had been playing together for many years certainly show as they have a total understanding of what they are about and with Tracy giving it her all, this captures one of the UK's most under-rated prog bands at their best. There is an instrumental version of the mighty "Ta Jiang" (here combined with "Narovlya") that is only half its' original length but it still shows what close understanding between a rhythm section and twin melodic lead instruments can provide. Uwe is never an over the top guitarist but he has enough of an edge to give the music bite when it needs it while Steve's keyboards can be simple and almost understand or total pompous grandeur when the need arises.

Yet again this is a solid testament to the band, and an album that all progheads will surely enjoy, but instead of just listening to the album why not get out and see them! They are playing some dates around the country in the near future ? go out there and give the much maligned prog scene some support. The band has all the details on their very informative web site at www.landmarq.net.

Originally appeared in Feedback #73, Jun 03