The legendary occultists are back with, what seems like from the opening track Hail Satan, a pretty fine album.

The band were often compared to and billed with the likes of Sabbath and Deep Purple and Yes, and the music will appeal to fans of each. They have kept the occult and black magic lyrical themes, while the music is more proggy than the stoner of Sabbath.

That aforementioned opening track features a flute, and some great vocals from guest Tony Martin. The sound adds huge chunks of early Jethro Tull and Genesis.

'That's When Evil Touched Me' is more uptempo and is as catchy as it is quirky, some decent vocal harmonies in there too. 'Partytime For Demons' is appropriately more rock'n'roll with a rough crunch to boot, and just a hint of Hawkwind too.

'Even The Devil Gets The Blues' is, as the title suggests, a blues number with some rich organ work.

It's midway throughway the album with 'Artefact' and 'Eastward' that the music starts to match the lyrical forms.

Lyrically the band are full on occult, the music is solid mainstream prog rock, and it all works pretty well.

****

Review by Joe Geesin

www.joegeesin.com