INTO THE EPICENTER

Thanks to Greg Walker at Syn-Phonic music, we have this little gem of an album - it's probably still available on LP from his site !! (that's if you are a vinyl-hound as I). It contains a lovely lyric sleeve and the cover art is stunning, suggesting music in the vein of Ozric Tentacles, but when it comes to prog, you can never judge a book by its cover, so, thankfully, Episode are way different and they are from the U.S.A. The overall style falls somewhere among sympho/neo-prog, with maybe a little psych thrown in. 'Riding the Falls' is the longest track, and starts out with a dark synth passage, which evolves into a more playful section full of tempo changes, and clear female vocals from Roe Tyler. 'Glass M Revisited' relies on guitar this time around with some symphonic keyboard work, and again is a great track. 'Have A Heart' is a well constructed song, more commercially oriented with simple progressions and harmony singing but makes for some pleasant listening - prog-lite perhaps. Last track side 1 is an intense instrumental track 'Mouldie's Hold on Time' (Mouldie is a Mole, an " intrepid, curious creature in search of fun and adventure " - from the sleeve notes) and the music is exactly that - fun and adventurous, with excellent playing from all involved. Side 2 - 'Two Piece' leans toward a rockier styling, a slightly weaker track on an otherwise excellent album. 'Flight' is a lengthy, ballad track, not in any hurry to get anywhere, but very carefree and enjoyable, with a basic layout of drums, bass, guitar and piano, and the quaint vocals of Roe. 'Mandlebroth' is a brief sound-collage leading into the closing instrumental track 'Alien', with some searing guitar and synth soloing and choice riffing. All players are compitent, both as musicians and vocalists, and the overall production is fairly decent and well balanced with no 'studio trickery' which can sometimes pin an album down to its era. 4 stars !!