With the re-release of their self titled debut disc from 1994 Versus X takes us back to a progressive style that highlights the musical ability of the band but also shows just what has kept them from gaining the notoriety due musicians of this caliber.
Musically this group delivers a disc that at times will amaze, especially the work of keyboardist Ekkehard Nahm who's classical training brings a real Keith Emerson feel to the music. Arne Schafer also contributes some key guitar work such as the terrific solo on the song "Sacred War" but he also brings the biggest drawback to the group. It is hard for me to get past his very tedious vocal style. He sings with very little emotion and it comes across like the vocals are added because they felt they were necessary. Let me tell you, I would have loved this album if it would have been an instrumental. Their signature song "Versus X" with Nahm providing his magnificent piano and Schafer punctuating it with some spot on guitar proves just what the band can do and it is some great stuff. It is also the only song without vocals!
This disc also includes a bonus track called "Humans Not Involved". It is said to be the first recorded Versus X song and was done with original keyboardist Lukas Ernst. While not on a par with their later output it fits well with the remainder of the album.
After listening to this album I looked up some of their other music and the same can be said for their newer works. This band could be a force to be reckoned with if they could find a voice equal to the music they are producing. They don't have it with Arne and I am afraid that they will have to keep the day jobs until they realize this fact. Still the music is superb and most entertaining. With a classical/jazzy feel and some very interesting shifts in style along the way, this is a band that can really make you sit up and take notice, you just lose interest when Arne starts to sing.
Track listing:
1. Point Of View
2. Just One Way
3. Who Can Tell
4. Sacred War
5. Versus X
6. Inside The Well
7. To Go Free
8. Humans Not Involved
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