TWELFTH NIGHT

Update on a neo-prog WWI classic that feels as potent as ever.

Twelfth Night update and reinterpret a song that has been in their repertoire, in one guise or another, for four decades. This new recording of Sequences coincides with the centennial of the First World War and the lyrics tell the story of a young army volunteer forever changed by his experiences. It’s remarkable to think this is the first studio version with vocals, Mark Spencer rising to the challenge of filling the late Geoff Mann’s role. The anger that informs the lyrics is worthy of any sneering punk band –

‘Our glorious leaders start a war to protect the whole of humankind/That’s why they always stay behind. What do you mean, ain’t it wrong to kill?’ barks Mann, his voice recorded back in 1983. The playing is no less powerful, with exquisite guitar work from Andy Revell on acoustic and electric including a particularly rousing solo that captures the chaos of soldiers charging into battle. Longer than the concert performances on Live And

Let Live and Live At The Target, this promises to be the definitive version of Twelfth Nights’ finest moment. The release includes an instrumental mix, and a selection of movements performed on piano.