TUTANKHAMON

3.5 stars. This was ICEBERG's debut album from 1975. This Spanish band is so impressive instrumentally, that is especially noticed on their next two albums where they changed to more of a Fusion style. This debut is their only one with vocals, and although they're not bad this would work better for me as an instrumental work. Most of the tracks here blend into one another and this is a concept album.

"Tebas" opens with almost 1 1/2 minutes of beautiful guitar then the vocals come in. More pleasant guitar after 3 minutes when the vocals stop. Piano and percussion are prominant as well. "Prologo" has a fairly heavy intro as vocals join in. It settles with mellotron and sax. It's kind of dreamy here. It kicks back in as contrasts are repeated. "Sacerdotes De Amon" sounds so good to open as the mellotron builds like an impending storm. It then kicks in with guitar and drums leading the way. Contrasts continue. "Amarna" offers us this great guitar solo early as mellotron, piano, drums and vocals follow.

"Lying On The Sand" is a short tune where the guitar solos tastefully. "Amenofis IV" is just over 1 minute long and is pastoral. "Himno Al Sol" continues mellow until guitar, drums and keys start to make some noise. A Howe-like guitar melody comes and goes. Vocals too. "La Muerte" has a good uptempo rhythm. "Close To God" is where we get a drum solo until the guitar and keys come ripping in. "Too Young To Be A Pharaoh" opens with piano then vocals. This is too sweet for my tastes. It does kick in late and we get that Howe-like guitar melody again. "Tebas (Reprise)" is a beautiful mellotron drenched track with prominant guitar.

There is so much that I like about this album that it's hard not offering up that fourth star, but the truth is that there are passages and songs that are average at best. Their next two albums surpass this one as they are more to my tastes.