Epitaph: Long Ago Tomorrow

German band Epitaph have been around for five decades yet I have only heard the live release A Night At The Old Station. If you are in the same boat that’s a shame as I have discovered a wonderful band with a fine new album titled Long Ago Tomorrow. Yes, the album was released in 2019 and yes, this review has taken quite a long time to see the light of day and for that I apologize.

What is noteworthy is the fact that two original members, Cliff Jackson (vocals, electric and acoustic guitar, mandola) and Bernd Kolbe (vocals, bass) are still with the band. A truly impressive feat to say the least. The remainder of the band is Heinz Glass (electric and slide guitar, backing vocals), who joined in 1977 and Carsten Steinkämper (drums and percussion). Original drummer Jim McGillivray appears as a guest as well as Tim Reese (violin), Roger Wahlmann (keyboards, acoustic guitar), Klaus Henatsch (piano, keyboards), Agnes Hapsari (grand piano) and the Paramabira Choir (backing vocals on two tracks).

A sense of grandeur comes across in the album opening “Keep Standing Like A Rock� with its huge riffs and symphonic embellishments. Nektar’s Klaus Henatsch really makes his presence felt here. The ‘70s classic rock style is alive and well and the melody is superb with a suitably addictive chorus. Another catchy vocal performance and well-crafted riffs and guitar solo highlight the strong “Going Fishing� along with the excellent violin work courtesy of Tim Reese. “Cross The Borderline� is another melodic gem with Jackson’s lovely acoustic guitar making a notable contribution while the title track veers into heavy rock tinted with a bit of prog. In the next track “Haunted House� the dramatic riffs again show hints of progressiveness although not in the truest sense of the word. It is more to do with the epic feeling this music invokes, in other words this isn’t your typical hard rock band. The acapella intro in the moody “Edge Of The Knife� makes for another highlight.

Long Ago Tomorrow is an excellent hard rock album that I am sure many music fans will want to hear, especially those who long for those glorious ‘70s. Highly recommended.

A MIG-Music GmBh release.

Track Listing:
1. Keep Standing Like A Rock (5:44)
2. Going Fishing (5:04)
3. Cross The Borderline (5:40)
4. Long Ago Tomorrow (5:37)
5. Haunted House (6:00)
6. Edge Of The Knife (5:28)
7. Windy City (4:20)
8. What A Life (4:12)
9. Lost In America (7:16)
10. Sunday Cake (3:36)
11. Fallen Dreams (5:12)

Added: May 31st 2020
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Official Site
Hits: 1154
Language: english

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