THEATRE

If there is one improvement, it is in their ability to write somewhat catchy melodies, which they too often play to death. For instance, the opener "Still on My Mind" shines brightest during the keyboard breaks and dullest during the umpteenth repetitions of the ok chorus. The title part of the title suite has some atmospheric wind instruments but the arrangement doesn't go anywhere, and the final segment is almost an extension of it except with some good lead guitar links to rev up the proceedings a notch. The contrast with the almost oboe-like sound, perhaps the hautbois (?) makes this one of the better tracks. Another interesting tune dominated by such instrumentation is "The Black Virgin", which is reminiscent of some of Camel's "The Snow Goose".

Unfortunately the vocal material, of which there is far too much, is a mash of lame lazy power ballads like "Struggles of Love" and "No Time", with "Stronger than Ever" only marginally better thanks to a fine chorus. The progressive element is minimal and, where present, is pretty much only in instrumental tracks or segments.

In the stadium of progressive rock bands, Anabis definitely sits in the bleachers. While their final release is not theatre that I would walk out on, I wouldn't expect to have to pay full price or sit in a full house for that matter.

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