BOOK OF THE DEAD

The 10 ratings for this album on the Prog Archives site ranges from three to four, so you can conclude that this is at least a good album. In my opinion it would have been at least a four star rating as it has inly consisted of the long first composition (almost 25 minutes), what a killer track! This composition entitled "Chapter One: Infinity Voyage" does not really contain a theme or refrain but nonetheless it remains captivating until the end, thanks to the flowing shifting moods and strong soli. Guitarplayer Allan Holdsworth has such a distinctive style: he changes very fluent from a kind of sustain to short, quick runs or howling licks, unique! The violin play is wonderful and sounds very strong, what a talent. And the keyboards on this album ara amazing, especially the Moog synthesizer soli and the floods of Mellotron but also the work on the piano and organ is great. The vocals from the late Shaun Guerin reminds me of Peter Gabriel, mainly because of the bit melancholical undertone, to me they sound very pleasant and matches perfect to the other musicians and their sound. The other four tracks (between 3 and 7 minutes) are often fluent again great soli on guitar, violin and synthesizer but they misses the spark as on the first song. As I 'Tron Maniac' I'm delighted about the majestic choir-Mellotron in the final Chapter Five. THIS IS A GREAT DEBUT-CD!!