RELEASED

3.5 stars. As others have mentioned there's a wide variety of styles on this album, which makes it interesting but it also keeps me from giving it 4 stars. I say that because some of these excursions into different styles just don't work. It could have been so much better. This trio have added a drummer and sax player for this album.

"Three-Horned dragon King" is dominated by guitar and percussion early. The guitar is really in your face. I'm not a big fan of the vocals here because they remind me of early BLUE OYSTER CULT. "Eyes On You" has this nice dark rhythm with aggressive guitar outbursts. Vocals come in sounding better,more like Ian Anderson. Sax is added as well. Good track. "Bride Of Summer" is a mellow tune with reserved vocals, acoustic guitar and flute. "Water Curtain Cave" is my favourite by far. This is jazzy with sax. Just a fantastic tune.

"Minnamoto's Dream" is experimental to open with vocals. A gong then signals a change as this raw sounding guitar comes in before 1 1/2 minutes and it sounds incredible ! It goes on and on. Drums then vocals after 3 minutes. Sax 4 1/2 minutes in as the guitar lights it up. This is my second favourite song here. "We Have reason To Believe" is like that song "Johnny B Good". Yikes is all I can say. "Barazinbar" is a 15 minute jam session with drums,percussion, guitar, sax and flute coming and going. It's pretty good. "Yellow Eyes" is another ballad-like tune with reserved vocals, acoustic guitar and flute.

Lots to like here and enjoy but unfortunately there are some very average sounding tunes here as well.