DIABLO

This is an interesting musical project from the USA featuring keyboard player Graig Beebe and guitarist John Galbraith as the beating heart of the band. In 2001 Maxwell's Demon released their debut album entitled Prometheus, then we had to wait eight years for the successor named Diablo (2010). This second album features Graig and John, along a rhythm-section and as guest musicians a classical guitarplayer and a string quartet. On the band their website I read about the impressive vintage gear, from the Hammond organ with Leslie speaker, Minimoog - , Prophet V - and Oberheim synthesizers to a Rickenbacker bass, Gibson ' and Fender guitars and Moog Taurus bass pedals, wow, mouthwatering!

Now about the music, that sounds as a blend of many styles, with a lot of variation and an adventurous mind. The one moment it's 24-carat symphonic rock like Swedish Anglagard (compelling with Hammond, Moog and Mellotron a fat Moog Taurus bass pedal sound and some classical guitar) or fiery and propulsive like Red-era King Crimson (growling bass and soaring Mellotron choirs). The other moment the sound is more experimental like Larks' Tongues In Aspic- era King Crimson featuring captivating interplay between violins and percussion, avant-garde overtones and chamber music with a genuine string quartet (duelling with the Mellotron choirs and violins, not average prog, to say the least). The hints to legendary Classic Prog bands are obvious, but Maxwell's Demon have succeeded to blend these elements with strong own musical ideas, embellished with an awesome vintage keyboard sound.

My rating: 3,5 star.