Anteater

Now that you mention it, I was actually considering picking Entropia over Remedy Lane, but since I consider the latter more varied and less of a story-based concept album, I ended up with my previous review.

Now, on to the main attraction!! Today's obcure prog. gem review has to do with...*drumroll*.......SATAN!


Ah, the occult. Demons and Satan and the damnation of the human soul...all of which unfortunately become part of a great cliche which pervaded so much heavy metal from the 80's onwards and has since become a thing of derision for those who despise the era. And, if you ask who gave rise to this trend which became prevalent in bands who formed at that time, you will receive the same answer from almost anyone who thinks they know a thing or two about music: "Black Sabbath".

The funny thing about common knowledge, however, is that there for every time something holds true, there are twice as many supposedly "common" facts which are DEAD WRONG. For although Black Sabbath were the first commercially successful group to incorporate the kind of Satanic imagery you'd hear talked about in Church back in 1968, there was one forgotten band in the woodwork who formed long before ol' Ozzy picked up the mike, a group who took such themes to a far darker and more interesting place with this 1970 LP, Sacrifice, a little known bunch who originally formed in 1966 as Pesky Gee!, incorporating devilish themes into their various shows until they broke up and reformed in 1969 as....

Yep, you guessed it. Black Widow. One of the best bands of that time period...who nobody really knows about. But then again, that is why this review is here, to inform the masses that they existed and are waiting to be listened to!!

The Review: This album actually hit #32 on the U.K. Albums Chart back in '70, but it was quickly forgotten within a week or so despite how different it was from anything else being done at the time. Flute, sax, a little bit of organ, and plenty of crazy keyboard and guitar antics all about Satan and Hell and all sorts of controversial things pervade this album....and yet its all so upbeat, anthemic even, despite the occult edge and ensuing controversy that this album's release caused upon release...before being forgotten anyway.

Well anyway, I would consider this album very proggy in places (especially the title track), a route Sabbath wouldn't take at all unfortunately. The arrangements defy the chorus-bridge structure for the most part, and there's lots of jazzy interludes amidst the sort of drumming, flute, and guitar playing you'd associate with Krautrock bands of that time. Lyrically its nothing to write home about, as I'm not a Satanist and find that whole thing humorous for the most part. Still, my enjoyment of the album is not lessened because, on the instrumental and delivery side of things, its ****in' jamming!!

So, if you're interested in what Satanic proto-prog/jazz-rock sounded like back in the day, I'd give Sacrifice a whirl for the...hell of it. Its fun, instrumentally and compositionally sharp/inventive, and it leaves quite the impression on a would-be listener like a good record should. Highly recommended.


Here is a YouTube vid of my favorite track from the album, In Ancient Days. Bon apetit'.

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