UNSPOKEN WHISPER

FLAMBOROUGH HEAD are Dutch band and this is their debut released in 1998.They are a five piece Neo-Prog band who I believe are still active to this day.This is a pretty good album that certainly has it's moments.

"Schoolyard Fantasy" opens with the sounds of children playing and laughing in a schoolyard as the music kicks in fairly heavily. It settles with vocals 1 1/2 minutes in then we hear the kids again at 3 1/2 minutes. A guitar solo follows then vocals 4 1/2 minutes in. Some soaring guitar late and lots of synths. "Wolves At War" opens with lots of atmosphere until the music starts to settle in before 2 1/2 minutes. A good instrumental. "Childscream" opens with atmosphere followed by guitar then reserved vocals as it stays mellow.The tasteful guitar is back then it picks up some 2 1/2 minutes in followed by piano. Some heaviness then it settles before 5 1/2 minutes.

"Unspoken Whisper" opens with piano as it builds. It settles back as the vocals arrive 2 minutes in.Guitar comes to the fore after 4 minutes. Atmosphere follows and more vocals.The tempo picks up with synths before 8 minutes. Reserved vocals 9 minutes in. "Legend Of The Oldman's Tree" has a somewhat aggressive instrumental intro. It settles back before 3 minutes with flute-like sounds then it picks back up. "Xymphonia" is mellow with flute-like sounds and strings. It changes as the piano comes to the fore before 3 minutes.The guitar joins in and vocals arrive 4 1/2 minutes in.They'll come and go the rest of the way.The soaring guitar before 9 minutes goes on and on. "Heroes" opens with atmosphere before the synths lead then the guitar. Both then lead together as the tempo starts to shift back and forth.

It's cool to see the band members pictures when they were children in the liner notes. Not a bad start for the band. 3 stars.