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This is German band 7 FOR 4's debut released in 2001. The leader and guitarist is Wolfgang Zenk who played on two albums ("Sophistication" & "Uneven") for SIEGES EVEN in the nineties. I'm sure it's coincidence but I couldn't get into those two SIEGES EVEN albums either but love the one's before and after them. The guy is a virtuoso no doubt but i'm not digging his style for some reason. He's playing more of a Fusion style here but he does mix it up quite a bit. This is all instrumental except for one track. It is a technical album no doubt and I must admit those are hit and miss for me. I love the LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT band that many compare this group to, but I find this to be very different than what they've put out.

"X-Dreams" starts out with gentle guitar but it gets fuller and fuller until he's lighting it up.The tempo continue to change. "Tokamak" opens with someone laughing followed by a full sound with the guitar out in front as bass and drums support. "La Provence" is more laid back with outbreaks. Nice chunky bass after 5 minutes. "E-Gyptian" is uptempo with intricate guitar then it gets fuller.

"Highlands" sounds better. It's more relaxed and we get some piano. I like the bass. It picks up as contrasts continue. "Rushian" kicks in before a minute with guitar leading the way. It settles again. Marching style drums 3 1/2 minutes in as it builds. "Rockalaxy" is crunchy then it lightens up, but it's back and forth. "Catking" has vocals on it. It's heavier 2 1/2 minutes in then it settles back with vocals. Contrasts continue. It's an okay tune. "Subspace Destination" hits the ground running. This sounds so good but then it it settles the rest of the way.

I've had this one for a while but it's just never clicked with me. 3.5 stars for the playing alone.