Epizootic hailed from Goeteborg and were Par Ericsson on vocals/bass/flute/glockenspiel, Bengt Fischer on guitar, Lars Liljegren on piano/synthesizer/vocals and Lars Johansson on drums.Their only album was titled ''Daybreak'', recorded at Goeteborg Sound Studio and released as a private press in 1976.
Epizootic played a very raw Hard Prog with minor psychedelic and jazzy touches, propelled by a frenetic guitarist like Bengt Fischer and his rough electric solos and riffs.But they added some more spices in their music, like the constant presence of electric piano and the sporadic flute leaks.Their sound was close to a Proto-Metal style with an epic atmosphere and lots of mascular instrumental parts with breaks and tempo changes.Unfortunately the production is of a garage-type recording and the English vocals are also below average.Focus better on the music, which is often stunning and contains plenty of surprises, despite the raw sound.There are some jamming parts, jazzy flavors, bluesy soloing and occasional use of synthesizer for a lighter atmosphere at moments and the material sounds more flexible and interesting with each listening.Several tracks are of coming out of a straight Hard Rock matrix filled with riffs and solos, but the longer ones contain definitely a good amount of progressive tunes.
After their experience with Epizootic Fischer and Ericsson found the Heavy Metal act EF Band, which was active during the 80's.Lars Liljegren later played with Ragnarök and Triangulus.Unfortunately Fischer died in 2001 due to cancer complications.
Rough-edged Hard Prog from Sweden, recalling more of a basement production than a proper recording.The music though is always powerful and interesting with some fine instrumental ideas.Recommended, if you have the bucks to track down an original copy.
- Pär Ericsson (vocals, bass, flute)
- Bengt Fischer (guitar)
- Lars Liljegren (piano, synthesizer, vocals)
- Lars Johansson (drums)
http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/epizootic/daybreak/
