GENIUS OF ORIGINAL FORCE

As opposed to the overrated Epidaurus release, this one's been rather unfairly slagged over the years. No classic of course, but it's not bad at all. Sure, there's nothing here that hasn't been done before, and the band are clearly modelling themselves after Gentle Giant, with very little other influence (contrapuntal vocals in odd meters, medieval-styled passages with recorders, baroque-sounding Hohner Clavinet runs, etc.). But they do it rather well-admittedly it is a hard style to pull off. And they do it without plagiarizing any riffs or motives, which is admirable. The band also add an angsty Teutonic feel, which adds to my enjoyment of this release immesurably.

Just as the Epidaurus album isn't as good as you've been told, this one's not nearly as bad as some of the more poisonous reviews would have you believe. It isn't terribly original (which is why I'm unable to regale it with a higher rating), but it is rather well-crafted. Sometimes, that's enough.