Different Breed 1985

"British based band Beltane Fire represents something unique in the annals of rock history. Until the early eighties the band was known as "The Blue Cats" and played rockabilly, and did that quite good as well. Then they landed a record contract with CBS, changed their name and their style, released their debut album as a new band; and started getting some momentum going. And then suddenly CBS decides not to follow up the release, and the band sinks without a trace - more or less. Still, the bands uniqueness isn't in their history.

Musically Beltane Fire had a sound I've never encountered either prior or since the release of their debut album. With big drums, a heavily tinged rockabilly bass, guitar picking defining the melody in most tracks in a style not totally unlike early Marillion and carefully used synths in a manner not too dissimilar to what neo prog bands did; only much more sparingly, the combined sound here was indeed something else. Add to that a soulful vocalist with a really good voice, and there is something special going on.

As for the songs on this release, many of them are unique. The musical style chosen by the band allowed them to create many wonderful moods, combining the elegance of the melodic guitar pickings with carefully inserted synths to create stunning soundscapes; and with some catchy tunes as well there are quite a few gems here. On some songs the beauty does veer over into tackyness though; resulting in tunes that overall are good in parts but where some cheesy moments drags it dowen overall. Most times the songs work well though; and from opening sing-along pirate chant "Captain Blood" to the tale of discovering King Arthur's hidden cave in a rare moment of hard rock on this release there's quite a few gems waiting to be discovered here.

The one aspect of this release that might be a bit off-putting for some are the drums though. Very loud and dominating; some will feel that the drums are tacky and thus kills the songs here. Most others with a taste for pop/rock with some progressive leanings will most probably enjoy this release of yesteryear though."