I came across Armageddon several years ago and then wondered why I'd never listened to this album before. This debut album consists of just five songs and they’re certainly lengthy songs at that, with nearly all of them clocking in at more than 8 minutes. I always thought music wise they sounded like a combination of Led Zeppelin and Captain Beyond (no surprise there of course with Bobby Caldwell on board) and any number of progressive rock acts from the decade, but the overall result was that Armageddon ended up sounding distinctly unique! Like most supergroups we have four highly talented individuals on show here and I have to say the guitar work of Martin Pugh might be the pick of the bunch which is a tough choice as all are outstanding here, then there’s Keith Relf’s voice which might not be to everybody’s taste but personally I really dig it! Supergroups have often been clichéd as being self-indulgent and excessive, and Armageddon are no exception to this viewpoint and in fact this album is about as self-indulgent as anything else in the decade!
The album opens with “Buzzard” a pumping heavy track, that is brought to life by its improvisational displays. Second track "Silver Tightrope" is essentially a charming ballad that threatens to beef itself up, but doesn't and drifts through its 8 minutes admirably. "Paths, Planes and Future Gains" one of the best on the album and also the shortest track as well, and it's a dense sounding offering from beginning to end. "Last Stand Before" which is dominated by its bluesy jamming and it's an extremely catchy song and the nearest the band actually get to sounding like Led Zeppelin. But it's the album closer the multi-suite “Basking in the White of the Midnight Sun” which all smacks of 1970s excess especially with its lengthy jamming sessions, time changes and punctuated guitar riffs that all have a space rock feel to them. This album might not be a bona-fide classic, but it's nearly there and it's very much a cult classic and should be dusted off as its a true treasure.
8/10