WAR DANCE

Altogether with Electric Savage, "War Dance" had received little attention for me personally by the time it was released for relatively simplistic reason: it has no vocalist and not really rock. It's totally wrong assumption as I finally found that prog does not necessarily mean having vocals. I only enjoyed this album in great details about four years later when I first identified that the musicians involved in this album were really talented. In fact after I knew and could fully enjoy this album, I chased the albums where the musicians involved in this band at their future activities.

The opening part of title track "Wardance" (6:09) reminds me to Chinese Kung Fu movie which I used to watch during my childhood - that is the part where keyboard is floating with increasing tone accompanied with high speed drumming.This part is repeated in the middle of the track. This opening track is beautifully composed using combination of fast tempo guitar and keyboard work accompanied with machine-gun drumming by one of the best prog drummers the world has ever had: Jon Hiseman. Yes, he is a terrific drummer! "The Inquisition" (5:50) was a track that attracted me at first listen as it contains a blend of complicated guitar work and keyboard performed in fast tempo style - strengthen with the inventive drum work by Jon Hiseman. I always repeat this track whenever I listen to this album. Very uplifting and it's excellently composed. Gary Moore plays two types of guitar skillfully: electric and acoustic. The acoustic guitar insertion in this track is truly an excellent part. "Star Maiden / Mysterioso / Quasar" (6:24) is the track, as the title tells as a medley track, that brings the listener with a variety of styles through three major tempo changes. It first start slow under the first part and it increases gradually in the second part and provides a bit complex stuff at the ending part (Quasar). "Last Exit" (3:30) is a slow track that gives a chance to Jon Mole to perform his Fender- Hayman bass guitar as rhythm as well as soloist. The other instruments play as main rhythm section. But at the end part all other instruments led by guitar enter the music.

This album is at the same quality musically with Electric Savage and I highly recommend you to purchase the album; especially if you love or can appreciate jazz rock fusion music with no lead vocals. Keep on proggin' .!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW