RESISTANCE IS USELESS

In 1981 Kalaban released their acclaimed debut LP "Don't panic", meanwhile re-released on CD (1990) by USA progrock label Syn-Phonic. Twelve years later we could enjoy the long- awaited successor entitled "Resistance is useless". The sound is in the vein of their debut album: an alternating blend of powerful and propulsive pieces and more dreamy and slow passages, all loaded with fiery electric guitarwork, like in "Hotash slay, Schroedinger's cat" and the long "Eyes of a seer". The song "Sleepless" contains jazzy pianoplay and "Dance of Shiva" features native Indian (Asia) sounds and soaring keyboards. In comparison with "Don't panic" this second album delivers less guitar and more instrumental variation. The keyboards add a more lush element to their sound and the two (guest) bass players Kent Underwood and Matt DeSpain make a good impression, they are also responsible for the powerful sound on this CD. I'm impressed by this convincing new effort after all those years: Kalaban has kept their main ingredients but with a new and fresh sound.