Flame Dream – Out in the Dark (Vertigo, 1981/ V Records 2025 reissue)
Flame Dream’s third album was recently reissued on CD. Out in the Dark was a courageous effort, made in a dark period when progressive rock was suffering a low point, before neoprog arrived. Although the band’s earlier works were influenced by Yes, here they offer a strong set of symphonic progressive compositions heavily inspired by Genesis, particularly the Peter Gabriel and A Trick of the Tail era. At the same time, there are still elements of Yes in the area of vocal harmonies and Jethro Tull in the flute work.
The most notable element is the strong keyboard work by the talented Roland Ruckstuhl. His keyboards dominate the album, with a style deeply inspired by Tony Banks. He uses an arsenal of Mellotron, synthesizers, and piano that deliver stellar work.
The album features a guest guitarist, Dale Hauskins, who has a pitch bending style similar to Alan Holdworth. His guitar lines shine of “Out in the Dark” and “Strange Meeting.”
The “Strange Meeting” suite is an ambitious composition with finely crafted sections with dynamic development, time-signature changes, strong instrumental interplay, inventive bass work, and majestic Mellotron passages.
Vocal work is the weakest component in the album. Peter Wolf is a fine flute player, but his vocal skills on this recording were limited.
Musicians: Roland Ruckstuhl on keyboards, sequencer, vocoder; Peter Wolf on winds, vocals; Urs Hochuli on bass, bass pedals, vocals; Peter Furrer on drums, percussion, tapes; Dale Hauskins on guitars.
Buy Out in the Dark.