Label: Cyclops

Line-up:

• Carl Groves, guitars, keyboards, vocals
• Patrick Henry, bass, retro synth
• Kevin Thomas, drums, vibes, bells, tambourine, vocals.

Guest Musicians:

• Michael Ayer. Synthesisers.

"Catatonia" is the third Salem Hill album, released not more and not less than four years after the second work of the band. Really, this album is much better than both first ones. Here the compositions are of much more quality and are very much elaborated. Definitively, a much better performed and sung album, being this one, the first really advisable album of the band.

"Catatonia" is a concept work, which more suitable qualification would be American progressive rock. So, symphonic and progressive sounds but with a delicious American taste, with influences of King's X, Ambrosia, Kansas, etc. In general, tracks simple enough but very effective, full of precious melodies, in an album much more romantic and calm than the previous ones.

Overall, there stands out the 11 minutes track, "The Judgement", a delight of soft and symphonic song, with some passages of spectacular beauty. Just this song makes very advisable the acquisition of this album. Among the rest also we have very good tracks, as precious and romantic "The Walking Dead ", "Real", near to King's X, as "Habit"; the good melodies of "Facade and Charade "; the beautiful and romantic "Without Heart"; or "Awake" who reminds me to Barclay James Harvest. The rest also they expire, and continue the same line, among romantic tracks and a more rocker ones in the vein of King's X.

Summarizing, a very good album that will enjoy those who not only look for complex and virtuous progressive rock.

Rating: 6.5/10

Ferran Lizana