NIGHT ON BALD MOUNTAIN

Very interesting prog band from the USA. It is only a pity they never fulfliled their obvious potential. This first album clearly shows a bunch of very capable musicians trying hard to emulate their heroes and - at the same time - deliver something of their own. This second part is hardly achieved, but I believe that, giving time, they would eventually come up with something really strong and original. But, alas, that was not to be.

So what we have here? A very well done collection of prog songs, albeit highly derivative too. Produced by ex King Crimson and future Foreigner member, Ian Mcdonald (certainly one of their heroes who gets a special prasing mention on the album´s credits), it has quite some fine moments, although the excess of quotes (raging from Yes to ELP to Uriah Heep and King Crimson) is a bit annoying after some time. You can tell their influences easily and very often it seems they cannot make up their minds if they want to be Yes, ELP or Genesis (Atmospheres is pure Genesis around Trespass period).

In the end you get the feeling they could do a lot more if they only had persisted on this path for one or two more works. For what they have left, Night On Bald Mountain is promising, but nothing more than that. Their excellent musicanship and good taste is enough to warrant 2,5 stars, but just that. Don´t expect anything original or new, but rather a bunch of skilled guys completely in awe for their idols.