IN THE FOLLOWING HALF-LIGHT (NETHERWORLD)

The story of this 'USA cult prog rock band' started in 1975 but not until 1981 NETHERWORLD released their debut-album entitled "In The Following Half-Light". It contains seven compositions with varied instrumentation, exciting solos and elaborate arrangements (especially "Sargasso" with its frequently shifting moods, in my opinion their absolute highlight). The powerful and expressive vocals (sometimes a bit theatrical) and fiery and sensitive guitar play often reminds me of TWELFTH NIGHT, a very original neo- prog rock band from the early Eighties. But you can also trace hints from mid-GENESIS (twanging 12-string guitars and Mellotron waves), no wonder because NETHERWORLD used to play covers from them. The colouring of the music with a wide range of keyboards (from Grand piano and Oberheim - and ARP synthesizers to the Mellotron and Crumar organ) is very tasteful with some spectacular synthesizer flights. The instrumental CD release bonus track is titled "Cumulo Nimbus" (at about 10 minutes) and divided into three parts. It has a beautiful, compelling final piece with a howling guitar and majestic choir- Mellotron. If you like alternating and original prog rock (from melodic or dramatic to more complex or bombastic) this one is yours!

American symphonic prog tends to combine lessons from the British with a sort of posturing that befits the world superpower, witness groups like Styx and Kansas, and this one-off band from the San Francisco Bay area weaves those established patterns with a certain west coast amiability. The results are noteworthy if not earth shattering.

The band can clearly play, the vocals are pretty decent in drawn out sort of way, and they even succeed in integrating real and imagined orchestrations, such as oboe on the brilliantly constructed "Straight into Infinity" and what sounds like cello on "Isle of Man", which also features a stellar Frippian type lead solo. Plenty of mellotrons and jangling acoustic guitars help soothe the savage breast and take some of the edge off.

Three bonus instrumentals added to the CD release actually augment the disk to a firm three star rating. Netherworld's "In the Following Half Light" deserves the full light of exposure to the prog community. A worthwhile album by any standards, let alone coming from the progressively challenged west coast of the US in the late 1970s.

NETHERWORLD were an obscure band from the USA who released this one album back in 1981.The sound is really a cross between Neo and Symphonic. I have to give credit here to Greg Walker who has been a real supporter of Prog in general but especially American Prog. He released a double compilation album on his Synphonic label called "Past-Present- Future" which contained 2 tracks from eight different bands. NETHERWORLD were included in this and the songs Greg used show up as bonus tracks on this cd re-issue. I mention this because for me they are the best part of the album.

"Too Hard To Forget" hits the ground running with synths and drums outfront. Catchy stuff. "Son Of Sam" is an urgent sounding track which is understandable considering who it's about. The guitar is much more prominant in this one compared to the opener. "Straight Into Infinity" is uptempo to start with guitar leading. It settles some when the vocals arrive. Mellotron in this one too. A calm before 1 1/2 minutes as the tempo will continue to shift. At least we get some upfront mellotron on this one.The best track so far.

"Maybe If They Burn Me" has a really good instrumental section but i'm not a fan of the more aggressive vocals on this one. "Isle Of Man" is ballad-like to start.The tempo picks up and the sound gets fuller after 2 1/2 minutes.This is much better. Some nice keyboard work follows. Mellotron before 4 1/2 minutes as it settles back. "A Matter Of Time" opens with acoustic guitar as mellotron rolls in then reserved vocals. Cello before 4 1/2 minutes and I really like the guitar that follows. "Sargasso" opens with piano as laid back but theatrical vocals come in. It picks up then settles back down. A lot of theatrics in this closing track.

A good album that has some killer sections. It could have been so much better. Lots of mellotron too but the vocals don't do a lot for me.