Kingston Wall. 1992 Finland

For those of you who remember, Kingston Wall were a real thing in the early 90s. I remember some of my like-minded catalog dealers hyping this one up big - and the music delivered on the promise. Kingston Wall ushered in a new generation of Finnish underground music focused on 60s and 70s psychedelic and progressive rock. They only released three albums in their lifetime before band leader and guitarist Petri Walli offed himself in 1995, seemingly at their height. What made Kingston Wall special was their ability to tap into exactly what Ozric Tentacles were doing to great success - ferocious psychedelic jamming. The songwriting isn't too bad, and there is a touch of grunge in their style. Not surprising given the era and they themselves were in a period of metamorphosis. In reality, Kingston Wall's debut belongs more to the heavy psych genre than progressive or space rock. The latter due to a lack of keyboards. The second half of the album points to the future of Kingston Wall, and is just one great song after another. A shot of caffeine if there ever was one. 

Ownership: CD: 1992 Trinity. Jewel case.

It's been reissued many times primarily due to Kingston Wall's enduring legacy - especially in Finland. But this original CD has held its value. There was a time in the middle 90s when this CD was going for top dollar (the RIP factor I'm sure plus a lack of available product). I wasn't selling mine then - and I'm not now. Svart reissued it as a double LP in 2014 in a multitude of vinyl colors if so desired.

1995 (first listen); 12/3/22 (new entry)

Xaal - On the Way (En Chemin). 1992 France

Xaal were a band from France who managed 3 albums until the mid 90s before calling it a day. On the Way (En Chemin) was their second album, though most of us thought it was their debut. I purchased this CD immediately upon release, and that's how it was sold at the time. It was many years later that we learned of their very obscure cassette release, which is now accepted as their debut.

Xaal play a decided form of Zeuhl mixed with fusion. Not sure why some reviewers are skirting the Z word altogether. One listen to the title track, and you'll recognize that bass and drums work as obvious Jannick Top / Christian Vander, not John Wetton / Bill Bruford. And the whole album is this way. Xaal (a Zeuhl moniker if I ever heard one), were the leading light for the genre at the time, a movement that was on life support by 1992 (Magma for their part were on hold and Vander was still leading Offering). And as the contemporary leader, they did not let their fan base down. Xaal were a guitar based trio, with a strong sense of melody and groove, the latter to be expected. So in addition to the obvious Zeuhl trance like rhythms, one will hear other progressive rock/fusion bands of the era such as Tiemko and WLUD. All instrumental, and satisfying from beginning to end. A must for Zeuhl fans.

Personal collection
CD: 1992 Progressive International (UK)

The name of this album is in full: On the Way (En Chemin). The Progressive International release is the original. It was later that it was reissued by MSI in France (Discogs claims 1992 as well, but there's no supporting data for this release). Also to note, the album was recorded in 1991, but released a year later.

Surprisingly an album that one can still find for a reasonable price. These are just the type of CDs that have become collectible. I suspect it's only a matter of time. It was never pressed on vinyl or reissued beyond the French release. If this album sounds good, and you collect physical assets, then I wouldn't wait too much longer.

Fatal Opera - s/t. 1992 USA

Gar Samuelson was a drummer most known for being part of the first significant lineup of Megadeth. A few years older than most metalheads, Samuelson was a child of the 70s. Growing up near Buffalo, New York, he and his running set (including guitarist Chris Poland) were into the jazz fusion bands that were popular in the underground at the time.

This background makes Samuelson uniquely qualified to start one of the most interesting progressive metal bands I've ever had the pleasure to hear. After leaving Megadeth, Samuelson relocated to Florida, built out a studio on a farm, and began Fatal Opera with his brother - a band that today is more likely to be known as a trivia answer to "whatever happened to..."

Fatal Opera was recorded and released in 1992 on cassette tape, featuring a cover that is a painting of his neighbor (?!) (second photo). A few years later, Massacre picked it up for wider CD distribution, and affixed a more "metal appropriate" cover (first scan). This is only the beginning of the oddities afforded.

The album opens with 'Dead by 1998', a fine but somewhat typical progressive metal track, and perhaps the closest Fatal Opera gets to Megadeth. With 'Evil Tears', the album takes a turn for the heavier and more complex and goes even further down the rabbit hole with 'Spheres of Glass'. By the time of 'Moving Underground' you are in an entirely different world. 'The Unwilling' has the sound and sneer of one of Manilla Road's epics. And it just keeps going - metal for certain, but no fastballs,  all curves and sliders. And knuckleballs.... It's a No Hitter for sure (literally and figuratively). They're pitching a gem so far. Then comes...

'Moon Turns the Tides', which is a Hendrix cover - and not a normal one at that. The original title is '1983 Moon Turns The Tides', as the real song here is '1983...(A Merman I Should Turn To Be)'. Well folks, maintaining my baseball analogy, Fatal Opera just struck out the side to finish the game. I cannot recall anywhere in my collection where a progressive metal album contains a psychedelic guitar freakout, of the kind I report on often in the progressive rock world - and almost always from the 1970s! Has to be heard to be believed. Wow!

The Divebomb reissue adds two more tracks, both of the twist turny variety as found above. Really a brilliant album, one that has completely sailed under the radar. Don't miss this one.

Personal collection
CD: 2017 Divebomb

As is usual for the label, information is gleaned from an interview with the band. The funny thing here is you'll learn more from the questions than the answers. The band wasn't very forthcoming with much recollection (they weren't even sure when this album was recorded, for example). There's also a couple of tribute letters, including a touching one from Samuelson's long time girlfriend. Full lyrics are included as well as the 2 quality bonus tracks as mentioned above. They also altered the cover slightly that is definitely more appealing to the eye (3rd scan). Though I think they should have included the original as well!

Sadly Samuelson passed away all too young in 1999.

Inner Sanctum - Knowledge At Hand. 1989-1995 England (archival)

Holy Smokes! This is the good stuff right here. Fans of progressive metal meeting technical metal will be pleased with this archival compilation from Inner Sanctum (pre Fifth Season for the five people who have heard that CD). It features 6 demos, of which 5 of them sound like early Watchtower meets Psychotic Waltz. Very complex metal, yet they never lose sight of the song. And the vocals are somewhat in control, so it isn't non-stop ball squeezer shrieking. Being British, they have an inherent knack for more restraint than their American counterparts - at the points where restraint is needed. I suppose if I had to pick a favorite demo, it would have to be Sensorium (1992) which shows Inner Sanctum at their heaviest, and perhaps most technical too. First demo Fear is Life's Blood (1989), is almost a completely different lineup and the band here is more in the Slayer / Celtic Frost mold. Certainly not a bad thing, and enjoyable in its own right. Different that's all.

Personal collection
CD: 2013 Divebomb (USA 2xCD)

This is a 2 CD set and features full historical liner notes via an interview with the band - and many photos. A must own item that will for certain provide enjoyment over many repeated listens.

CD1:
Tracks 1-3: Knowledge At Hand (1995 demo)
Tracks 4-9: Questions? (1994 demo)
Tracks 10-12: Shine (1993 demo)

CD2:
Tracks 1-3: Sensorium (1992 demo)
Tracks 4-6: Static Veins (1991 demo)
Tracks 7-9: Fear Is Life's Blood (1989 demo)

Today the band has been rechristened Synaptik, and their debut turned out to be awesome as well (see next post).

Last listen: February 24, 2015

Anglagard - Hybris. 1992 Sweden

The single foremost album that took 90s prog music kicking and screaming back into the 70s. Progressive rock was just beginning to make its comeback in the late 80s and early 90s, when Anglagard showed up and promptly flattened everyone on their ass. Most bands back then were more enamored with Marillion than Trettioariga Kriget (who?). Anglagard once and for all proved that the albatross moniker of "progressive rock" was a style of an era, not a philosophy that must be maintained with a certain high standard of modern creativity. Today, the term retro-progressive is used for bands like Anglagard, but that's a modern appellation. We were just grateful that "prog" was back at all, and in its original form. For that alone, Hybris will always be highly revered by rabid fans like moi. Of course the naysayers came out in droves at the time - just as they do now - stating mostly the obvious: It's not new. No, it isn't new. It is, however, an amazing distillation of a familiar sound - without any of the baggage of the 70s to get in the way. This was created by fans of the genre - for fans of the genre. Thank you Anglagard for paving that path that has continued to be well traveled today.

Ownership: LP: 1992 Colours (Norway). Beautiful gatefold with all sorts of goodies (booklets, stickers, notes). The Colours label was perhaps the last great progressive rock LP-only label before CDs took complete control, and before the vinyl renaissance of the 2010's.

CD: 1992 Mellotronen. Jewel case. This was one of the first new albums (perhaps the first?) where I had to have both the LP and the CD.

CD: 2013 Arcangelo (Japan). Papersleeve edition. Box set that uses Hybris as the cover and stores all three of their albums.

1992; 2010; 5/27/16 (new entry)

The Word of Life - Further Ahead. 1992 Sweden

For a short period in the early to mid 1990's, a collective of Swedish musicians decided to relive the past and pushed on with creating improvisational psychedelic rock music similar to the early 70's masters such as International Harvester and Algarnas Tradgard. Local acts such as S.T. Mikael, Adam, Stefan, and The Entheogens all recorded for the underground label Xotic Mind during this era. The primary difference between the modern day purveyors and the 1970's masters is the one-dimensional nature of the proceedings. This trait can be attributed to the fact that most of these albums are solo projects with guest musicians, rather than cohesive band units.

One of the highlights on the label were The Word of Life, a band lead by Mans P. Mansson, a multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, sitar, synthesizers, percussion, as well as taking on vocal duties. He is joined by many guests, though most important is the fine flute work provided by Anna Nystom. On the debut Further Ahead, Mansson manages to create a varied improvisational psychedelic album. Long burning jams such as 'Space Fu?king' and 'Can You Feel It - Flowing Free' are offset by calm flute and hand percussion ragas like 'The Devil'. What one notices with repeated listens is the need for a judicious editor (a problem for many solo ventures). Most of the jams meander on for far too long and the inclusion of a couple of Earthy-Country-Bumpkin vocal tracks with Louisiana-front-porch harmonica are in complete contrast to the hazy heady cosmic aspirations the album aspires to be. All the same, the album works on many levels, most notably the trance-like jams, which can get quite intense as they penetrate. The guitar tone is super-fuzz-loud and the percussion is particularly active (always a good sign). Recommended for all fans of Krautrock, space rock, and the early 70s Swedish pioneer groups as mentioned above.

Ownership: CD: 1992 Satori (UK)

The Word of Life is a group I've known about since their inception. I first purchased Further Ahead on LP (top photo), which featured a paste-on cover. I sold it once I obtained the CD (second photo). I'm not entirely convinced the CD is from 1992, but that's the date appended on all the online discographies. The CD itself doesn't list a date, but I wouldn't be surprised to find out it came out a few years later (I think I would have purchased the CD initially rather than the LP if that was the case).

Spyros adds: "It is strange to think that Mans P. Mansson played in metal bands (he even guested on Candlemass recordings). The CD of "Further Ahead" came later than the LP. Must be late 1993 or early 1994, because that was when I saw it first time at a very updated local psych record store. I remember it puzzled me that it had a different cover to the LP, which I owned upon it's release..."

1992; 5/23/14 (new entry)

Blim - Zero + No Frills. 1992-1993 England

Outstanding festival psychedelic space rock band. Blim were an offshoot of Omnia Opera and were originally intended to be a more progressive variation of the already excellent parent band. And they achieved just that. If you ever wanted to hear Ozric Tentacles take things to a more complex level, Blim is your chance to hear it! Also reminds me some of Mandragora's earlier works, when they were  experimenting with various styles and structures. These are two of the best albums I've heard from the entire festival scene. Brilliant guitar work throughout. I would say that No Frills is the more complex, aggressive, and less spacey of the two. It also features a more professional sound, and I think it's the better of the two albums. Having said that, both albums feature a much better production than many of the cassette releases of the day.

CD: 2013 private

The originals were cassette only. I remember seeing both of these in the early 90s through the old Freak Emporium catalogs (back when they were still paper!), but never ventured to try them. Only within the last 6 years or so, did I finally hear them. They were instant hits with me, and were promptly labeled Priority 2 for my CDRWL. And now we have a wonderful 2 CD set (last photo), with additional bonus tracks on each album. Almost 2.5 hours of quality music here! About the only thing missing are historical liner notes, though as long as their website is up, you can read about Blim there.

Survolaj. 1992 Romania

What perhaps is most extraordinary about this album is the original recording date of 1992. There are countless bands today recreating the early 1970s sounds and attitude. But no one was doing this in 1992. Especially in places like Romania. Or so I thought. Side 1 is an 18 minute brain blaster of a track called 'Broken Flight'. Survolaj are basically a guitar based trio, with guest on flute, and the sound here is remarkably similar to 1971 German outfits of the same mindset like Silberbart, Dies Irae, Haze, Blackwater Park, and Second Life. Wah wah bluesy guitar, histrionic vocals, and a hyper active rhythm section is what you can expect here. Outstanding. Side 2 (tracks 2 and 3) are decidedly more blues based, and recall the 1969/70 English scene. Classic early Led Zeppelin in particular seem to be a major influence here, though other bands like The Groundhogs, Ashkan, and Elias Hulk come to mind too.

Ownership: CD: 2007 Soft Records

2/13/13 (new entry)

Sithonia - Spettacolo Annullato. 1992 Italy

Spettacolo Annullato is Sithonia's sophomore effort and is a huge leap in quality from their good-not-great debut.

In some ways, the band succeeds despite itself. The guitarist plays in that annoying pseudo-metal riffing style, stopping just short of actually being balls-out metal (which would be far more preferable actually), with plenty of pig squeal guitar leads to send everyone racing from the room covering their ears. Worse are the digital keyboards, a set of plastic wonders that A Flock of Seagulls most assuredly would enjoy playing.

With that bit of grime out of the way, let's focus on why the album works. Primarily it's the compositions themselves, which are incredibly well thought-out while constantly on the move, in that classic early 1970's Italian style. There is quite a bit of thematic development as driven by the fantastic acoustic piano work, and the melodies are in your mind long after the music has stopped. With the right editing, and other factors, some of these songs could have been major label radio hits. But perhaps best of all is new vocalist Marco Giovannini's performance. What an outstanding impassioned display he gives here - some of the finest from the Italian progressive rock scene.

I rarely vote for re-recordings, but I would love to hear Sithonia record this album with a instrument setup of all analog gear and perhaps a bit more crispness during the recording. It should prove to be a masterpiece.

Ownership: CD: 1992 Mellow. Jewel case

1992; 10/9/11