DIE FLUCHT [AKA: ESCAPE]

"Die Flucht" is the second full-length studio album by Austrian progressive rock/metal act Mayfair. The album was released through the German Music Is Intelligence label in 1995. It´s the successor the the 1993 debut full-length studio album "Behind...".

Stylistically "Die Flucht" is a continuation of the odd/atmospheric/theatrical progressive metal of the debut album, although the band have scaled slightly back on the technical playing, and have put even more emphasis on atmosphere and occasionally play a more alternative/indie rock oriented sound. Mayfair are almost impossible to describe correctly, because their music style is pretty unique but an atmospheric, floating, and sometimes theatrical progressive rock/metal style isn´t all wrong. It´s slow- to mid-paced music which often sounds almost linear in structure. The tracks feature a decent amount of sections and different musical ideas and moments, but they often feel a little directionless, unfocused, and lacking melodic hooks.

The sound production is as thin and powerless as the sound production on the debut album, so no development or positive changes in that department. "Die Flucht" is not a bad release, but it´s not really great either and just as my feeling was when listening to the debut album, I also feel that "Die Flucht" is more interesting than great. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives).