AFTER CRYING 6

A rather excellent album indeed. This band wears its influences of it sleeve. Lots of King Crimson-type moments. In fact they quote 'Dinosaur' from 'Thrak' and there's a whole section that seems to be based on the battle theme from 'Lizard'. ELP's 'Pirates' also seems to be a big influence, especially on the band's keyboard player. As well as all of that, there's Mike Oldfield-type arpeggios on one track, Miles Davis-type trumpet on another. And a spine-tingling moment when they play Siegfried's heroic theme from 'Siegfried', the third opera in Wagner's mighty Ring Cycle, whilst singing the words "Welcome Siegfried", an allusion to the moment when Hagan welcomes Siegfried ashore thus sealing his fate. Clever stuff, indeed. The musicianship is faultless throughout and the textures are very orchestral in places. Well worth a listen.