THE GUILLOTINE

It sounds very heavy. More heavy than their previous albums I've encountered. But nothing to be worried about. Nice old sounding keyboards here (How Do You Feel) with acoustic guitar (War Machine). In these keyb driven tunes it reminds me one similar group, "Bigelf". But "Black Bonzo" (first I had to overcome some kind of prejudice, Bonzo means quite bad offend in my language, but hell, what they could know) does it in not so pathetic way. Overall, it's hard to describe, but for sure interesting modern approach to prog music.

4(+) is fair enough by my opinion. I flirted with masterpiece rating, but there are things that brings it down.

EDIT: This is seriously music, where you can do quite a lot headbanging. Everything you always wanted since Deep Purple (and others, but these fits probably the most) using modern sound methods (clean sound - if they want) with more, much more prog elements. Melody is most usually not so complex, heavy dependent on riffs with more acoustic passages, however, notice the instruments and these little things that makes prog music so interesting. Not exactly sure what it is, but it's there. After all, something was responsible for my rating here, I don't give these things for cheap. So it's like "enhanced" Purple, even it's not entirely true.

Black Bonzo Guillotine Drama - Black day as Black Bonzo Blows it Big time.

After hearing the incredible 'Sounds of the Apocalypse' that was astounding music on every level, a masterpeice hearkening back to the 70s but reinventing the style, I was eager to get hold of more Black Bonzo. Unfortunately they have completely adopted a new style and it is nowhere near as progressive, nor is it is as innovative. In fact this album was an outright disappointment.

There are no standout tracks and the instrumental virtuosity so prevalent on 'Sounds...' is all but absent. This is such a shame as the band really have incredible potential. This album is 5 steps backwards from their previous one. I just could not get in to this at all. And it doesn't grow on you but more infuriates you as you want it to be great but it never delivers.

Listen to any track from 'Sounds' and you will be astounded at how good they are. On this album however, each track is short, non progressive and not up to the musical excellence and standard of previous material. It is all so commercial and there is no sense of adventure, and the concept behind it is lost on me, it feels like a sub standard rushed attempt at a failed idea. It may have sounded good on paper but the songwriting is mediocre and the music is so below par. It sounds like a different band, and not a very good one at that.

I don't mind it when a band try something new, Porcupine Tree are a prime example of making it work, but it at least has to hold the attention. Unfortunately, 'Guillotine Drama' is dull from end to end. There are perhaps 2 or 3 decent tracks in there somewhere, but I can't even recall which ones at this point. It will rarely trouble my CD player and is definitely for completists. **