Detailed Reviews [Final Conflict - 2020 - "The Rise of the Artisan"]

Prolusion. UK band Final Conflict are among the veteran bands in the UK progressive rock scene, with a history as a band quickly closing in on 40 years and at the time of writing, with a 35 year long history as a recording band. "The Rise of the Artisan" is their eighth and most recent studio production, and was released through their own label Gaolhouse Records in 2020.

Analysis. Final Conflict is a band that came to prominence back in the 1980's, and to my understanding they have always been a band with a close connection to one of the variations of progressive rock that came to prominence in the same decade, namely neo-progressive rock. This is very much the case also with this latest album of theirs. As a matter of fact, in many ways this is an album that sounds like it could have been made back in the 1980's too. The band does include elements with a presumed later date of origin as a part of the compositions at hand, the mix and production values also sounds like they are more contemporary than vintage in scope, but even so the overall feel I get is that this is an album that could have been made in 1980's, and with the musical cues and technical values that were contemporary back then, without any major deviations as far as the end result is concerned. While that may be seen as either a weakness or a strength depending on point of view, what strikes me as more important is that the material is very well developed and executed. All the compositions manage to balance the elements needed to create captivating and interesting experiences within the framework the band operate inside of. The gentler parts with the piano, clean guitars or the keyboards as the dominant aspect are in place just as much as the tighter, harder escapades where the guitar is the dominant or sole provider of tension inducing elements. Toned down passages with acoustic guitars and keyboards combining in a more elegant manner is just as prevalent as majestic and richly layered surges where the guitars and keyboards combine in striking and compelling manners. Atmospheric laden keyboard and guitar details coexist quite nicely with more expressive and borderline flamboyant excursions. All the compositions ebb and flow to a lesser or greater degree between these contrasting elements and expressions, and the band know their way around good melodies and hooks while doing so to boot. If the album is planned and executed in a manner that will give it an appeal beyond a certain audience is a topic open for debate of course, but no one can question that for the right audience this is a production that will be considered to be a strong one by many. It is always a pleasure to encounter albums where the neo-progressive tradition of progressive rock is explored in a well planned and expressive manner, and "The Rise of the Artisan" is one of those albums that makes me remember why I started treasuring this variety of progressive rock back in the day. Well made and well executed compositions that strike a good balance between being atmospheric laden, expressive and emotional, with softer as well as harder edges taking turns to create, maintain and increase tension and interest.

Conclusion. While perhaps not the album that will recruit all that many new followers to this subset of the progressive rock spectrum, this is an album those with a soft spot for neo-progressive rock will enjoy, and to the point where I suspect the majority of them will regard it as at least a solid production too. If 80's neo-progressive rock is a matter of general interest, this is an album well worth taking note of.

Progmessor: January 2023
The Rating Room