I remember buying this when it first came out in ’76, and there was a big buzz around the band and about them being Prog saviours. This was at the end of ’76 and punk was about to ravage the Prog and rock scene, ousting all that was grand and overblown. This album is definitely that and draws from classical influences – mostly from the delightfully twisted brain of Robert John Godfrey, who up until a couple of years ago was still performing with the band until ill health sidelined him.
Instrumental albums can be hard for a lot of people to grasp, but I love them – the longer pieces especially. The Last Judgement and the title track which closes out the record are just fantastic, with amazing arrangements and superbly played. I haven’t listened to this album in such a long time, and playing it now brought back memories from when I first heard it with a friend of mine and we raved about it. Take it from me, no one sounds like The Enid, they became Prog gods one second, and then threw quirky little pieces like The Devil at you which are such a joy. I know this is not for everyone, but it’s such an enjoyable record.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
