REBIRTH

A massive overhaul in the lineup this time round, with not only a new keys player (Bernd "Zeus B." Held) but also a new singing bass player (Peter Föller) and, in addition, a second lead guitarist (Dirk Steffens). True to form this was a transitional release, with the band resisting the recent prog-rock developments of HOODOO MAN, opting instead for a more pedestrian boogie-rock approach that brings to mind Grand Funk Railroad, Uriah Heep or ZZTop. On the plus side, this is fine for Peter Föller, whose gruff, bluesy voice is well-suited to this type of material. On the minus side, it feels like a big step backwards artistically speaking.

The only diversions from the straight-ahead guitar-rock style are the two short instrumentals-Steffens' acoustic guitar spotlight piece "Grandjeanville" and Held's jazzy and mellow "M.P.C."-and "Back From Hell". The latter is more or less in the progressive hard-rock style of HOODOO MAN, and is easily the highlight of the album. I could have done without the extended drum solo, though, Moog-drum or no Moog-drum.

Easily the least interesting of their early albums. Get HOODOO MAN first from this era, and this one last (if you must).

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