It comes as a bit of a surprise – this peculiar release has divided fan opinion right in the middle. Upon first hearing it, lots of CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX loyals have cried out their discontent – “Justin has gone completely bonkers!”, while others have labeled ‘Great Escape’„band’s finest since ‘I, Vigilante’”.

 

It’s easy to understand why. ‘Great Escape’ is an ambitious and concept heavy beast that is bound to be either loved or hated. and that’s just the right way to know the band leader Justin Greaves and his CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX have achieved what they strived for – their 11th release is not just a run-of-the-mill album. On the contrary – it’s an engaging listen, one of truly extraterrestrial atmosphere, instrumental brilliance and angelic vocal harmonies.

 

Spacy, layered, very (and we mean VERY) prog rock, a monolithic and conceptual affair but never a dull or plodding one. This could very well be their ‘Animals’ if we dare go that far in our praises. And praises are well deserved – this is indeed their finest since ‘I, Vigilante’, maybe even their best since ‘200 Tons of Bad Luck’.