DEFINING THE LEGACY

The good critics regarding Flamborough Head's debut and the satisfying response at the upcoming gigs filled the band with confidence and helped them move on to the recording process of a new album at the end of the 90's.This sophomore effort would be entitled ''Defining the legacy'' with lyrics written around an autobiographical story of singer Siebe Rein Schaaf.The album was released in 2000 again on Cyclops.

Over an hour of Neo/Symphonic grandeur split in seven tracks is the result of this effort.The first couple of them are alternating between modern MARILION-esque NeoSymphonic Rock,much driven by the synths and organs of Edo Spanninga, and pastoral progressive rock with obvious GENESIS vibes and great flute work, with a splendid result.But soon the style will obtain a heavier and rockier tune,not far from what ARENA had been creating around the time.Guitars become heavier,the tracks are filled with flashy synthesizers and bombastic atmospheres,melody is always present though and even Schaaf's voice has an angrier approach in general.Still, and despite a couple of Hard Rock-ing embarasing moments, the sound continues to be rich and diverse with some superb instrumental passages and tons of shifting tempos.What the listener faces at the end is an evident development to the band's sound compared to their debut and a qualitive increase regarding the compositions,which are now tighter and even more memorable.

What this group of musicians achieved with ''Defining the Legacy'' is to establish themselves as one of the top Neo/Symphonic Prog bands of the millenium,setting ever higher standards for their followers for the upcoming works.Highly recommended.