In 1998 the fabulous Grey
Lady Down, released a post humous double
live album (The time of our lives) and
split up, to all lovers of progressive
rock, the live album was a delight, whilst
the news of the split was a serious disaster.
Fortunately sense was seen, after a chance
meeting in the pub between original guitarist
Julian Hunt and final keyboard wizard
Mark Westworth, it was decided to put
the old girl back together again, vocalist
Martin Wilson and bassist Sean Spear quickly
jumped back on board, a new drummer recruited
in Phill Millichamp, and the Grey Lady
was up and running.
After a year gigging all over Europe they
descended into the studio returning with
the finest progressive rock album of this
millennium. The album is so perfect even
the spaces between songs seems to be judged
to perfection.
All of the songs here are excellent, featuring
plenty of great soloing from keyboards
and guitar, plus the heaviest rhythm section,
thumping every note into your foundations.
“Fading Faith” opens the album with some
rippling piano, and then the band thunders
in, before leaving way for Martin Wilson’s
lyrics. Martin has always been a distinctive
vocalist (singers always seem more involved
when they actually write the words) but
since the release of Grey Lady Down’s
last studio C.D “Fear” in 1997 Martin’s
vocals have certainly taken on an extra
presence, surely making him the premier
vocalist in todays progressive rock scene.
“Fallen” the central song lasting nearly
fourteen wonderful minutes is a classic
example of all that’s good in progressive
rock, good story line, dramatic crescendo’s,
with an exciting dynamic conclusion.
12 – String acoustic guitars begin and
are evident through out “Sands of Time”
which in an abbreviated version would
make a superb single, this is a charming
song, enhanced by some flute work by Hughie
McMillan.
But always keeping the best till last,
comes album “Tour De Force” “Cross Fire”
this one rocks, and will be perfect for
packed arena’s as they blaze a trail across
the sky, definitely the best and heaviest
progressive metal laid down this side
of early Deep Purple. Then when you thought
it just couldn’t get any better, guest
guitarist Bernie Marsden (yes, he of Whitesnake
fame) screams forth and leaves a skull
crushing solo to finish the song.
Make sure you buy this album at your earliest
opportunity, and don’t miss Grey Lady
Down on their forth coming world tour,
jump on the ship before everybody else
does. If you want to know more about Grey
Lady Down look up their website at
www.greyladydown.co.uk
Pawed by Mott The Dog
Remastered by Ella Crew
E-mail: review@mott-the-dog.com
