SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE FUSION SYNDICATE – BEAUTIFUL HORIZON

THE FUSION SYNDICATE
BEAUTIFUL HORIZON
CLEOPATRA RECORDS

The Fusion Syndicate is a very interesting Heavy Metal/Hard Rock supergroup.  Their self-titled debut (later re-released in 2023 with the title A Speedway Of Saturn’s Rings) featured artists such as Rick Wakeman, Tony Kaye, and Chester Thompson and was much more prog.  Ten short years later fans have Beautiful Horizon to enjoy, and it is surprisingly good. It is really a collective, and on this album Megadeath’s guitarist Marty Friedman and Brian Auger (The Oblivion Express) are joined by some very top-notch players, such as Fishbone’s Angelo Moore, The Door’s Robby Krieger, PiL’s Jah Wobble, Mahavishnu Orchestra’s Jerry Goodman and Chrome’s Helios Creed. Quite the line-up and when you factor in the CD, there are even more guests, such as Steve Morse, Tony Kaye, John Etheridge, Steve Hillage and others.

What sets The Fusion Syndicate apart from other heavy metal excursions is their ability to add jazz and punk throughout the album. Sure, there are the extended and loud guitar solos, but in between all that there are some very interesting songs with unique instrumentation. The album opens with “Blood Red Supermoon Musick”, which features Jah Wobble on bass. The song is full of heavy metal guitar solos, but there is something else, the rhythm section is interesting and playful among the searing guitars.

For the most part, it is an instrumental album, so don’t expect any aggressive vocals. In some respects, this is like Zappa’s 1970s instrumental albums, although this is much more accessible and less jazz. The songs have clear structures. “Got Me In Lunar Funk” features vocals that are basically one line repeated throughout the song. The vocals are not really necessary as the song is unique on its own with some great saxophone instrumentation.

But where the album really takes off is when Brian Auger is allowed to do his thing. His organ musicianship is as distinct and original as always and it is a pleasure to hear him jamming out. In fact, he should be on the album much more than he is. However, The Doors’ Robby Krieger is featured on the title track “Beautiful Horizon”, and it is much more jazz meets prog than anything else here.

There are three songs from their debut album, remixed and included as bonus tracks, which are a good reminder to check out their first album. The older songs add little to the album, however, and it would have been better to add perhaps outtakes, or other interesting bits of music. Beautiful Horizon, however, is a good album. Some may struggle with the fact that it is instrumental, but the musicianship is outstanding and does have a lot to offer fans who like the genre.

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