Heaven And Hell

Listening to this odd-man-out entry in the sweeping Vangelis catalogue nearly 30 years after its release, one is instantly reminded of the time and musical climate in which it was recorded--this is a disc that distills the glorious pomp and circumstance that was mid-'70s prog-rock. The maelstrom that is the opening five-minute bombast of "Heaven and Hell, Part One", where the "sturm und drang" of Vangelis's keyboards probably made everyone from Keith Emerson to Rick Wakeman green with envy. Funereal chords dredge up dark lords of the underworld while drums and cymbals ricochet and pound into each other like Armageddon's fist into Eternity's palm. Even Jon Anderson is on hand, lending his trademark falsetto to Vangelis's symphonic preen. Still, despite the bravado, this is a galvanising record of moods and contrasts, where dark meets light, thunderous synth chords roll and break, and Vangelis weaves all sorts of odd percussive fillips into the chaotic reverie. Those wishing their dose of musical catharsis from over-indulgence on CHARIOTS OF FIRE can hold their breath and start right here.|