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Review:
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American prog rock band Mastermind were formed way
back in 1986 when I was still wearing spandex (only joking)
by the Berends brothers, Bill guitar, synth, and Rich on
drums. After 5 albums as a power trio playing ELP type stuff,
but with a guitarist rather than an Emerson, they acquired
a lady vocalist for their last one, Angels of the Apocalypse
in 2000. Now they are back with the powerful gothic goddess
Tracy Mcshane taking the mike and Jens Johansson throwing
the metaphorical knives at the keyboards (don’t try this
at home children). The album contains a series of superb
melodic rock/metal songs that will appeal to anyone from
Nightwish lovers to Rush fanatics. With ‘Piggy World’ they
even venture into rap metal! You can even dance to the groovy
‘Nietzsche’. Both Fantastic Fun! The highlight for me, although
it is tough to choose, is the anthemic eastern flavoured
‘Broken’, I nearly fell off me chair headbanging! Finally,
I rolled myself a smoke during the smouldering ‘Last Cigarette’,
and reflected on a wonderful album. It is perhaps best to
throw away any preconceptions about Mastermind and treat
them as a brand new band with a brand new sound, it’s only
on ‘Night Flier’ they conform to type. So, if you’re having
trouble sleeping, have a Horlicks and order this magnificent
medicant from you favourite drug store when it’s released
on the 19th of Feb.
9 out of 10
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