NO HERO

As one of the best among many German symphonic one-offs, ZOMBY WOOF struggled to get a deal in the waning years of the 1970s but made decent coin when "Riding on a Tear" finally appeared in 1977. Unfortunately, the elusive second album, recorded in 1979, did not appear until 2009 to almost zero fanfare in spite of the decades long growth in appreciative listeners. I suppose rumours that the group had lost members and streamlined their sound did not help garner much anticipation. To be sure, this is a major step down from "Tear", but enough of the band's integrity shines through to qualify "No Hero" as a credible follow up as these long vaulted things go.

First the bad: opener "Chrystal Light" and the title track the worst kind of FOREIGNER and LOVERBOY homages, not that there is a best kind really. For a 7:32 "epic", "Enchantment lacks identity and cohesion. In general, take out most of the symphonic prog aspects to "Tear" and substitute funk with a bit of jazz and a fair dollop of AOR and you get "No Hero". The good: this is all, even the gruesome twosome, extremely well played, with brilliant old styled organ and masterful bass throughout along with chunky synth and emotional guitar solos. The vocals are also far superior, likely due to the addition of David Hanselmann who had come to some prominence with TRIUMVIRAT. Even the lyrically cringeworthy "Turn me on" is more than redeemable musically. Comparisons to other German bands like RAMSES and TIBET, as well as ALAN PARSONS PROJECT are reasonable. "Harlequin", "Long Lost Beauty ", and "Glide Away" are the prized takeaways here, the latter being in the vein of the wonderful bonus track "Back Home" from CD re-releases of "Tear".

I can state without the slightest intention of heroism or even martyrdom that ZOMBY WOOF didn't whiff with this difficult follow up. Just adjust expectations accordingly and you will be more than fine. Worth the wait!