APOCALYPSE

On this album, John McLaughlin completely rebuilt his Mahavishnu Orchestra. Every member has changed. And they didn't miss a beat. With the addition of the London Symphony Orchestra, this album was truly symphonic jazz rock fusion (whew!).

The album is great, but the only five star song here is Vision Is A Naked Sword (What does that mean?), which features Michael Walden's amazing drumming, with the LSO blasting away power chords. Oh, and McLaughlin plays some nice guitar on this as well.

The opening track, Power Of Love, serves as a light introduction to the new band. And Smile Of The Beyond features Gayle Moran's fine vocals (no wonder Chick Corea liked her). Hymn To Him is an almost twenty minute epic that has some nice sections, but tends to break down at times.