FINAL CONFLICT – Return Of The Artisan (2012)

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FINAL CONFLICT is an internationally acclaimed Progressive Rock band based in UK. Since formed in 1985 by Andy Lawton and Brian Donkin, F.C. has established their own distinctive style of music and has been recognized worldwide for exploring new territories in the genre.

Their new, captivating new effort is called “Return Of The Artisan”

The band’s line up of experienced musicians features the dual guitar and vocals of Andy Lawton and Brian Donkin, the magical keyboard skills of Steve Lipiec, and the two newest recruits to the band: Barry Elwood on his six string bass and the very talented Henry Rogers on drums & percussion.

Final Conflict is definitely Neo Prog in all the sense of the tag, as the band combine classic prog elements but with modern and distinctive own touches.

Just listen “The Mechanic” for example: opens with a hard guitar riff and misterious synths, then turns into a cinematic tempo driven by even more synths and modernly produced drums, then abruptly in the middle slows down into an ’80s commercial Pink Floyd (Dave Gilmour version) melody with a fantastic guitar work and whispering vocals.

We have beatiful piano passages (really beautiful) in “The Spark”, juicy Marillion-like melodies in the excellent “Hopes and Dreams”, a bit of Saga in “Around About” and much more to discover in the rest of the tracks.

“Return Of The Artisan” is not just another Neo Prog album, as Final Conflict really has a distinctive sound different to the rest.

It isn’t weird or experimental, they are extremely melodic and accesible, yet their music always has attractive and unexpected elements.

There’s great interaction between both lead vocalists/guitarists (Andy & Brian) and the rest of the band throughout these elaborated nine compositions, a couple of them consisting of several parts.

The guys ooze class and talent, and this is evident over this intriguing and all the time  entertaining recording. Production is excellent with a pristine clear mix.

Recommended not only to Prog fans.

1. The Calling

2. The Mechanic

3. The Spark

4. Hopes and Dreams

5. Around About

6. Babylon

7. The Harlequin

8. Keeper of Conscience

9. Return of the Artisan

Andy Lawton : lead vocals and guitars

Brian Donkin : guitars and lead vocals

Steve Lipiec : keyboards

Henry Rogers : drums

Barry Elwood : bass

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