Prog4you.com - Progressive Rock Review

: : Final Conflict - Hindsight : :

When this CD landed in my hot little hands for review I said, “Final Conflict, I know this band.” I immediately went to my music collection and there it was, “Stand Up” released way back in 1997 but started in 1991 just before SI Records bought the bullet, so to speak.

Hindsight is Final Conflicts 5th release if you count Channel 8, released on cassette in 1987 and Time Has Arrive also on cassette in 1989. Their CD releases are Redress the Balance in 1991, Quest in 1992 and Stand Up released in 1997.

Time warp ahead to 2003 (or 2004 since I’m reviewing it this year).

I had listened to “Hindsight” twice before I could actually verify that this was by the same band that made Stand Up. All I can say is that understanding that Stand Up was originally started in 1991 and not released until 1997; the leap in musical ability and sonic quality found in Hindsight is easily understood.

Hindsight is in fact neo-prog at it’s finest. Yet, it is different. It does not TRY to be different on purpose. No, it is just different because the band members have matured, their playing ability has improved, and their musical composition has REALLY improved.

As I said, my last exposure to Final Conflict (who has now changed their name to simply FC) was Stand Up released in 1997. The music on Hindsight while some what the same as Stand Up is actually totally different. It is definitely like a new band with the same name. Much like Witsend and Syzrgy.

Musically you will hear many of the things we so love about this style called neo-prog. The guitar work, the keyboards, strong and powerful bass and drums. Whew, I love this CD.

Final Conflict

Both lyrically and musically this CD pushes every one of my buttons. Okay, not my heavy metal buttons but this CD is NOT supposed to do that.

Not only will you not necessarily hear new ideas in this music, you will hear old ideas redone in the most fantastic of ways. Andy and Brian’s guitar work will remind you of some of Steve Rothery’s licks. You’ll hear familiar keyboard work but my goodness it comes across as so fresh and alive that it seems like FC developed this style.

Track one opens with an almost techno keyboard type riff hidden specifically in a neo-prog style. Now go figure that. It comes across as if Ozric Tentacles was now doing neo-styled prog.

I think the signature song on this CD is track 4, Dead of Night. The opening guitar line wraps you in a warm wool blanket of understanding (this is the familiar part) with a silk lining of new and exciting pleasures against your skin (this is the new part).

All vocals are right on and are never annoying or overly cheesy. None of the songs are long just to be long. In fact I’m finding it hard to listen to anything else over the last couple of days.

This one gets my highest rating in months. Honestly, if you have always liked bands like Pendragon, IQ, Clepsydra, Chandelier, and Pallas then you will love this CD. I guarantee it.

Rating: 9.5 of 10
Reviewed By: Stephen Ellis

: : Visit the Artist’s Website : :

: : Discography : :
Redress The Balance - 1991
Quest - 1992
Stand Up - 1997
Hindsight - 2004