A HELMET OF GNATS

This obscure band definitely deserves to be more well-known. This debut album is an energetic and powerful helping of fusion- jazz/prog-funk. On some songs ("Nitefighters", "Ticks in the FIeld", "Geezus Horrendus") they can get pretty hard-rocking, verging on prog-metal. The songwriting is interesting and filled with ear-pleasing riffs, and the band is as tight as you could wish for. There's lots of bass slapping and popping, juicy and melodic guitar solos, crisp and muscular drumming, and washes of gorgeous keyboards. Happily, there are no mediocre vocals to mar the beauty of the music.

At times, they remind me of UK or Bill Bruford's solo albums. There seems to be a bit of a Kansas influence and also tinges of Mahavishnu Orchestra. But for the most part, I'd have to say that Helmet of Gnats is their own band, not pale imitators. This album sounds fresh and inspired and I can definitely recommend it to fans of prog and fusion.