THE INFANT HERCULES

While Big Big Train continued to play gigs at a normal rate, material for a second demo was already written and recorded, this was going to be the second cassette of the band ''The infant Hercules'', my info say that in this format it was released only months after ''From the river to the sea'', but the band states it was launched in January 1993, propably taking about the set of CD-R copies pressed for distribution (featuring a different track order).

So, you shouldn't expect many changes within months after the band's debut album, this is fairly commercial Neo Prog, very British-styled and period sounding, definitely along the lines of JADIS and early PENDRAGON, somewhat inconsistent because of the thin, buried keyboard sound and the average production, but Big Big Train prooved again to be a bunch of musicians, who could come up with memorable tunes, a bit of pomposity in some instrumental parts and trully decent melodies.Search around the late-70's GENESIS' repertoire to find the strongest resemblances, the material is basically pretty lyrical with romantic and clean voices, cool atmospheric breaks, an evident 80's atmosphere akin to the local underground Prog scene and some fiery tunes on guitars.''Show of strength'' is one very good piece in here with good guitar and keyboard work, while the following ''Red five'' even contains minor complexities in its all instrumental approach and some rougher edges in all its aspects.''Kingmaker'', a 10-min. attempt by the band, is, in my opinion, the best cut among all tracks from the band's early demos, very JADIS-like, with dramatic and ethereal moments, lyrical tension and a couple of superb, slow guitar parts.

At this point the whole thing about Big Big Train was to find the way to escape from their influences.Another solid work with a clear 80's-fashioned sound, suitable to those loving raw, underground British Prog.Good stuff.