Back over the years 2008 and 2009 prog oddballs Bigelf released the well received Cheat The Gallows (Custard Records) album, and subsequently became big news. High profile tours with the likes of Dream Theater and Opeth whilst being media darlings in the prog and metal worlds, Bigelf had their name on a rocket and were on course for the stars. Tragedy then struck and said rocket seemed to plummet as quickly as it ascended.

A massive gap of six years and Bigelf are back with a brand new album, boosted by the patronage (and studio presence) of prog’s Duracell bunny Mike Portnoy. Into The Maelstrom (Inside Out Music) thrusts you onto a journey space, alien frequencies and a sense of carnival splendour via a healthy dose of The Beatles, the more drug addled side of Black Sabbath and even the likes of Hawkwind. Damon Fox’s chilling, Ozzy like notes greet us on opener ‘Incredible Time Machine’ and its immediately clear that his twisted imagination is set on overdrive.

Simultaneously warped and catchy, this predominantly shows a Beatles influence with a ring leader like narrative which brings ELP’s Brain Salad Surgery to mind. Mike Portnoy’s performance is worthy of mention as well, providing a juggernaut of a display yet never overpowering or taking away from who is really the star of the show, Damon Fox.

It’s been a long wait, but finally Bigelf are back to recapture lost ground on the prog and metal realms. It’s clear that Damon has not lost his vivid and spectacular ideas; and that he is on something you definitely won’t get on the counter from your local pharmacy.

8.5/10

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CHRIS TIPPELL