A TAPESTRY OF AFTERTHOUGHTS

The songs on A Tapestry Of Afterthoughts (1999) are concerned with themes such as capitalism, technology, modern life and globalisation. In this respect the album has something in common with Radiohead's ''OK Computer'' from a couple of years earlier, although this was probably just a general sign of the times towards the close of the last millennium. Chaos Code's debut is one of those criminally overlooked gems that are always a thrill to discover. Across the board this is a great collection of tracks with DAYS OF REFLECTION being my particular pick of a fine bunch.

Restrained balladry sits happily alongside hard-edged effects-laden guitar work on the likes of A SILENT SCREAM, while soaring flute melodies and Mellotron crescendos struggle with fuzzed-out metal guitar riffs on ANTIDOTE TO ENTROPY. OK, so there's nothing really groundbreaking here and the album culminates with two tracks that seem to borrow heavily from King Crimson. In particular, the ominous Mellotron-brass on THE DEVIL'S TROMBONE is undoubtedly a nod to The Devil's Triangle, while Cliff Phelps' voice is not unlike John Wetton's. Although it's not the most original of albums, I can easily give this one 4-stars.