FACT AND FICTION

TWELFTH NIGHT is one of the most original bands that emerged in the early Eighties when MARILLION blew new life into the 'clinically dead situation' of the genuine prog rock. They were very different from the GENESIS-inspired groups like MARILLION, PENDRAGON and IQ. The music on the album "Fact And Fiction" (1982) is a captivating blend of rock, punk, new wave and symphonic, topped by the excellent lyrics and moving vocals from the late Geoff MANN, reverent and prime mover. Once I had a talk with him after a concert and we agreed that Margaret Thatcher was both a cold-blooded and arrogant Prime Minister as a perfect inspirator for their music! The match between music and lyrics is the factor that makes the CD "Fact And Fiction" so compelling: aggression, despair, hope, love, hate, madness, politics, these are the basic facts of TWELFTH NIGHT's music and the band succeeded to integrate those elements in a very fascinating and moving way into songs like "We Are Sane", "Human Being", "Fact And Fiction", "Creepshow" and "Love Song". Enjoy biting guitar licks, spectacular breaks, sensational keyboard flights, frequently changing climates and, above all, splendid vocals that give every track an extra dimension. This review is dedicated to the memory of Geoff MANN who gave the prog rock world such a special flavour!