When Joe Payne came to the fore on Invicta it certainly gave the band a boost, this was what the band needed a highly talented individual/ frontman who had the persona to take this band to the next level. Unfortunately his influence in the band since then has become, to my mind, pervasive. With both the Bridge album (basically Robert John Godfrey and Joe Payne) and this (full band) I perceive he has had a particularly strong influence (open to contradiction) in the making of this record, in particular the direction, which tends towards musical theatre. He is the author of all the lyrics on this album, which in itself may be no big surprise or criticism as the Enid were primarily an instrumental band. That said they appear to have lost that symphonic/ ROCK edge, this turning into the Joe Payne show. I looked forward to this album with great anticipation expecting a progression from Invicta but what we have perhaps is a continuation in style anyway from The Bridge. Do not get me wrong The Enid live are great, in particular Joe Payne, but of course it's when you play that album at home, that's where it must have it's greatest impact, to gain these repeated plays. I think the Enid themselves had expectations for this album, unfortunately by the number of ratings this has turned out not to be the case. An opportunity missed which is unfortunate. I had hoped that they were on a roll and that this would take them to another level and lift them above cult status.