Imagine my delight when one of my favourite bands, that for all intents and purposes had split up and may never have recorded again, came back from the dead with the announcement of a new record. Yep, I was pretty stoked to say the least. Then, rumours started to appear about how they were now down to a three piece as Colin Edwin, whose glorious bass grooves would not be taking part. Seemingly, there was animosity in the camp.
This album does have its high points, but it’s by no means the band’s best effort. Harridan opens up the album and this is a classic PT style tune well, since the arrival of Gavin Harrison anyway. A nice, heavy, almost industrial groove and a song that meanders its way through its take. A very strong start. Of The New Day follows and this song feels like an SW solo tune. A very delicate song full of SW’s trademark melancholic vibes, until the burst of energy mid way. Rats Return is one of my favourite tracks on the album. A nice, heavy, metallic groove with lots of Richard Barbieri’s soundscapes, I think this is the most PT track on the album.
Dignity feels like a throwback to Sygnify with an acoustic vibe driving the song along. The third of the outstanding tracks on the album is next with Herd Culling. This one takes it for favourite overall tune. I love the dark weird intro before the song explodes into life, something that SW says he no longer gets inspiration and drive from anymore. Well, I guess if you didn’t put huge crunching metal grooves into PT music at this point, only the sheep that seem to buy everything that SW touches would be down with it.
Walk The Plank has Richard Barbieri written all over it. Lots of keyboard and electronic weirdness that are a treat. His solo albums are so cool. This bring us to the last track, well on this version at least. There are bonus tracks on the deluxe version, which dilute the album. Chimeras Wreck has Side 4 all to itself, a slow builder with lots of killer touches that you have to listen carefully to. The layered harmonies sound huge and the production is top drawer.
It took me a while to like this record and I still think it sounds somewhat mechanical and lacks groove. Maybe that’s because a guitar player is playing bass? It’s just how it feels to me. They are still a million times ahead of the pack.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
