CLOCKWORK REVENGE

"Clockwork Revenge" is the debut full-length studio album by New Zealand, Wellington based progressive rock act Airlord. The album was released through Infinity Records in 1977. Airlord was a relatively short-lived band forming in 1976 and disbaning in 1978, leaving only this album behind as their legacy.

Stylistically the material on the 7 track, 42:22 minutes long album is quite the eclectic and theatrial take on progressive rock. It´s hard rocking (some nice hard rock riffs and solos here), energetic, a bit silly, and above all very well performed. The vocalist (as far as I can see from the credits both guitarists also sing lead vocals and the bass player sings harmonies) sounds a lot like Peter Gabriel and Genesis is arguably the most audible influence on Airlord. Airlord both write crazy energetic progressive rock songs like the album opening title track, which sounds like Genesis gone mad (Try and imagine Peter Gabriel on amphetamine singing the "You're a robbing hood" part of "the Battle of Epping Forest" on double speed after inhaling a baloon full of helium and you´re halfway there), and more mellow and pastoral songs like "Pictures In A Puddle".

So upon conclusion there are a lot of positive features on "Clockwork Revenge" and it´s overall a good quality progressive rock release, which also feautures a well sounding production job. It doesn´t escape the clone factor though and although Airlord don´t sound one to one like Genesis, the similarities are many...so this one is recommended to those who can´t get enough of 1971-1974 Genesis and want something in a similar vein (although this is generally a bit harder rocking and less sophisticated). A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.