Tempest

This is the first official re-release on vinyl under licensed courtesy of BMG Rights Management, UK, remastered from an original master copy out of the vaults of BMG. Originally released in 1974 on Bronze, Island this is the second (and last) official album by the UK heavy progrock group Tempest, formed by famous drummer Jon Hiseman following the breakdown of the original Colosseum lineup. The second incarnation includes, still as before, Colosseum bassist Mark Clarke, but (after former guitarist Allan Holdsworth left) new on guitar, keyboards and vocals (former vocalist Paul Williams had to leave the group due to alcohol problems), Ollie Halsall of Patto fame! Halsall's playing is simply glorious throughout, blending jazz-rock and accurate heavy rock. He also plays various keyboard on the album, adding to the progressive textures of the music. Moreover, Halsall proves to be a very exciting and gifted vocalist! Mark Clark (Colosseum, Uriah Heep) still is a great groovy and melodic bass-player. The songs have rock 'n roll, heavy rock, art-rock and jazz-rock influences. The band has an intense feel and well performed vocals that give the music an extra push. Within the song Tempest manages to integrated progressive elements (rhythms, chords-changes, original harmonies) without loosing that fine rockin' atmosphere. During some extended solo-sections the band freely shoes how brilliant it can play, with the guitars of Halsall being especially exciting, the tracks are very catchy and uplifting. Like most early heavy progressive rock groups Tempest must have been unable to find its audiance, being to progressive for rockers and to straightforward for symphonic prog listeners. If you like heavy prog like May Blitz and Captain Beyond this will surely please your ears. Fans of Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy (because of the melodic bass) and Colosseum might also want to give this album a try. The original recordings were carefully and proper remastered. The album comes as a reproduction of the original gimmick cov...