CD Review  

ETC
 "Tales of Ardour & Deceit"

Rating 89%

reviewed by Ash Brown

"Tales of Ardour & Deceit" is the second album from Danish duo ETC. It may have been 6 years since their debut, 1998's "Fin de Siecle" but it has been worth the weight. This is an album full of epics, like the opener "The Song Of Marsh Stig", who was outlawed and eventually killed for 'allegedly' assassinating King Kliping in the 13th century, which puts me in mind of English classic bands, and even  Coastprogging giants Big Big Train, though with more experimentation.

"Songs" is a haunting song, in the style of "Heart Attack in a Layby" by Porcupine Tree with it's layered vocals, and simple yet effective melody, while "Kentish Suite" is a routine jazzy-prog workout that will please fans of jazzy-prog workouts. Not my cup of tea, but it gives Frank Carvalho and Johnnie "The Boy" McCoy the chance to show off their wonderful skills.

"The Lady of Castela" is another hunting piece, this time instrumental, in the style of, say, a Steve Hackett, evoked by the story of the "Fountain of Tears", as is "Lament" which lives up to its name, in a nice way.