Top Bar
Musique Machine Logo Home ButtonReviews ButtonArticles ButtonBand Specials ButtonAbout Us Button
SearchGo Down
Search for  
With search mode in section(s)
And sort the results by
show articles written by  
 Review archive:  # a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Colosseum II - Electric Savage/ Wardance [BGO Records - 2021]

Gary Moore stands as one of the greatest guitarists to come out of Ireland. He gained notice after being in a certain Thin Lizzy, going on to build an impressive and respected solo career- which saw him embracing a host of rock sub-genres, as well as metal, and the blues. One genre he’s less known for is fusion, and here from the guys at BGO Records is a two-CD set bringing together two albums from his 1970’s project Colosseum II- who offered up a blend of rock-fusion/ prog.

The two-disc set comes presented in BGO's slip card sleeve jewel case packaging- with a twenty-page inlay, this features each of the two album covers on its back and front. And inside a fourteen-page write up about the band and the two albums by Mojo & Record Collector writer Charles Waring, as well as of course full credits, band pictures, etc.

Colosseum II were formed in the year 1975 by drummer Jon Hiseman- bringing together Gary Moore- acoustic/ electric guitar & vocals, Don Airey-Fender Rhodes, piano, ARP Odyssey, mini-Moog, Hammond organ, Clavinet, tubular bells. John Mole- bass, and Jon Hiseman- drums & percussion. In total the band released three albums- 1976’s Strange New Flesh, Electric Savage, and Wardance- both from 1977, and it’s those last two albums that are presented here.

So first up on disc one we have 1977’s Electric Savage- this was an eight-track affair, which was originally released on MCA Records. The album is an even blend of jazz-rock and instrumental prog rock, with the tracks having runtimes between three and six minutes, and it’s a consistent, fairly varied and rewarding second album from the band.

We move from “All Skin And Bone”, which starts off fairly creepy and moodily angular with just percussive tones. Before shifting into African percussion meets bright ‘n’ spacy synth topped track featuring sailing ‘n’ wailing guitar soloing & extra percussive detail. There’s pulsing ‘n’ galloping synth meets jaunting ‘n’ climbing rock groove of “The Scorch”.

As we get into the second half of the album we have the manic-to-bass bounding hard jazz-rock attack of “Desperado”, which features some nice meaty guitar and jaunting keyboard breakdowns. With the album playing out with “Intergalactic Strutt”- which alternates between propulsive percussion edged eastern tinged guitar and synth rock-outs. And more mellow, ethnic, and bass ribbed moodiness.

 

On the second disc we have the bands final release 1977’s Wardance, and once again appeared on MCA Records. It features eight tracks, and all but one of these are purely instrumental affairs- with the album as a whole offering up atmospheric rock guitar-focused fusion sound.

The album kicks off with the six-minute title track- this opens up with a rising blend of pulsing & swirling synth texturing, detailed percussive detail, and scorchingly epic guitar lines, which have more than a hint of jaunting & taut royal parade about them. By around the two-minute mark, we’ve moved to a blend simmering blues rocked lined guitar, which is underpinned by cymbal active percussion, and slightly jiving keyboard underlay. With the band certainly coming together to create an epic & scorching opening track.

Track four is the sole vocal track here, and it's entitled "Castle"- and for me, this feels rather out of place. Firstly, the singer (I’m guessing it’s Moore), is way over singing in an almost showy/ mock emotional manner, with some really painful highs. Next, the musical backing is rather mawkish AOR ballad, mixed with some jazzy/ soul flourishers- the whole thing just feels both awkward & cringe-worthy. Thankfully, this is the lowest point on the album, and the rest of the album comes back up to point. We have the chugging blues-rock-meets-searing rock guitar prancing & grooving of “Flight Talk”. Onto speedy & epic guitar widdling meets choppy slightly eastern organ flavoured vibe of “The Inquisition”.  Onto the longest track here “Star Maiden/ Mysterious/ Quasar”- this moves from a laid-back start which sees a mix of mellow bass guitar wonderings & rising-to-lush synth/ piano blend. Onto dramatic & darting keyboard/ bass interplays, with building-to-scorching guitar soloing on top. Onto the brightly synth/ guitar cascading feel of the end, which featured some great bright & tight drumming-all rather bringing to mind Yes in the ’70s.

 

In finishing it is nice to see these two late 1970’s albums getting reissued together, with both highlighting a lesser-heard known side of Mr Moore’s talent. One for those who enjoy the more rock focused side of fusion. 

Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5

Roger Batty
Latest Reviews

Colosseum II - Electric Savage/ W...
Gary Moore stands as one of the greatest guitarists to come out of Ireland. He gained notice after being in a certain Thin Lizzy, going on to build an impres...
290324   Stuart Argabright & AfterAfte...
290324   Piranha - Piranha(DVD)
280324   Typhoon Club - Typhoon Club(B...
270324   Jerzy Skolimowski Collection ...
260324   Latex Choker - Sealed
260324   Occlusion - 59: No Input Wall
260324   Nihil Impvlse - Anabasis
260324   Marta Forsberg - Sjunger För...
260324   The New Boy - The New Boy( Th...
250324   The Stargazer’s Assistant - ...
Latest Articles

The Music of Clay Ruby & Burial H...
Over the last couple of decades Wisconsin native, Clay Ruby has been creating some of the world’s finest dark electronic music under the Burial Hex mon...
280324   The Music of Clay Ruby & Buri...
290224   Sutcliffe No More - Normal Ev...
100124   Occlusion - The Operation Is...
181223   Best Of 2023 - Music, Sound &...
051223   Powerhouse Films - Of Magic, ...
181023   IO - Of Sound, Of Art, Of Exp...
210923   Lucky Cerruti - Of Not so Fri...
290823   The Residents - The Trouble W...
110723   Yotzeret Sheydim Interview - ...
250523   TenHornedBeast - Into The Dee...
Go Up
(c) Musique Machine 2001 -2023. Twenty two years of true independence!! Mail Us at questions=at=musiquemachine=dot=comBottom