Van Der Graaf Generator: Present

Herald rating: * * *

The Orb working with former prog-guitarist Steve Hillage a decade ago was the first signs of rehabilitation for 70s progressive rock, and now it isn't uncommon to hear of greybeards like King Crimson and Soft Machine in the same context as Swedish prog-metallers Opeth. So it's no surprise that one of the best 70s prog-rock bands should reform for their first studio album in almost 30 years.

Van De Graaf Generator had a typical prog-rock birth: singer Pete Hammill met his bandmates at university in 67 and by the cusp of the 70s they had established themselves as a tough-minded, often uneasy listening band which stretched musical boundaries. They had a brittle, edgy guitar-driven ethic and in Hammill, a politicised, poetic songwriter and singer.

Present proves Hammill, drummer Guy Evans, bassist/organist High Banton and saxophonist Dave Jackson haven't mellowed and, despite the unfortunate use of the word serfs, the rage and intensity of the opener Every Bloody Emperor is palpable.

Moments of musical reflection are here (On the Beach) but mostly this bristles with drama, and the second disc of evocative improvs is a template of terrific ideas.

Label: EMI