AFTERSHOCK (E), live

A considerable time after the release of Thunderstruck, the first live album by British prog band Landmarq, the second live album has been released. The music on Aftershock contains tracks from the same live recording sessions from 2000 and early 2001. It has been released because it says to bare proof of Landmarq with Tracy Hitchings instead of Damian Wilson, being able to play music from the older albums as well. In fact this is not entirely true because only twenty minutes actually is music from the days with Wilson and more than half of them are instrumental tracks. The Vision Pit, Heritage and Lighthouse are from Science Of Coincidence (1998) and they play these tracks impeccably. The instrumentalists are all top-notch and the sound quality is very good. It was remastered by Karl Groom. The album is rather short for a live one, but worth while listening to. I’ve never been a great fan of Hitching’s voice, neither with Quasar, Gandalf nor Strangers On A Train. On the other hand I think Wilson is truly a great vocalist so I’m still mourning about the fact that they went separate ways. Having said that, I have to admit that Tracy Hitching adds a sweet and gentle touch to Landmarq’s unique and beautiful symphonic music, especially in the songs After I Died Somewhere and Embrace. The somewhat Camel-like instrumental medley Ta Jiang / Narovlya - just over eight minutes - features Steve Leigh on keyboards and Uwe D'Röse on leadguitar. In conclusion I would say that Aftershock is a solid live album, but it seems to me a little out-dated. I’d rather have them put out a new one!