Dukes Of The Orient – Freakshow
Label: Frontiers Music
Release date: August 7th, 2020
Website: www.dukesoftheorient.com
Out of the ashes of ASIA came DUKES OF THE ORIENT. For their first album in 2018, JOHN PAYNE and ERIK NORLANDER had put an all star line-up together with Guthrie Govan and ex UFO six stringer JEFF KOLMAN – as a result, the CD convinced its listener in each and every second. Sadly enough, that is not the case with “Freakshow“. Gone are the “stars“ on the guitar – never have heard from new axemen Alex Garcia (although he does a very good job). Less pomp finesse and less of the excellent keyboards parts. Surprisingly enough, the title track is probably the only boring song JOHN PAYNE has ever released. This completely changes with „The Monitors“, an absolute highlight with all the ingredients the listener expects from the prominent duo. Another cracker comes in form of „Man Of Machine“ – not only because of the excellent sax solo which reminds the listener on SUPERTRAMP. The proggy “The Last Time Traveller“ is a winner, too. Not a bad record at all, but because of the fillers at the beginning absolutely not as great as expected!
7/10
Andreas Höhn
Track List:
1. The Dukes Return
2. The Ice Is Thin
3. Freakshow
4. The Monitors
5. Man Of Machine
6. The Last Time Traveller
7. A Quest For Knowledge
8. The Great Brass Steam Engine
9. When Ravens Cry
10. Until Then
