Post Description

Compilation, released in 1993, United Kingdom.


Verzamelalbum van deze enigszins vergeten Engelse neoprog formatie [niet te verwarren met de gelijknamige techno-act].

HAZE was formed in 1978 by brothers Chris and Paul McMahon and were one of a handful of groups in the late 70"s/early 80"s who embraced progressive rock and formed the neo-prog movement in the UK. The band spent years going through several lineup changes and small gigs, until 1983 when drummer Paul Chisnell joined the band. The band would remain stable for the next five years until its demise in 1988.

In 1993, Kinesis Disks released the HAZE compilation album "In The End: 1978-1988". This sparked renewed interest in the band, and Paul McMahon came out of retirement to reform WORLD TURTLE with his brother. An album titled "World Turtle/Haze" was released in 1994, although it has never been clear whether this was the final album for HAZE or the first album for WORLD TURTLE. Because it includes many songs written and recorded by HAZE, it has been included here.

Unlike most bands classed as neo progressive, whose sound was predetermined by pre and post Gabriel GENESIS, HAZE"s influences were evenly distributed across the bigger and smaller names of the movement, including PINK FLOYD, NEKTAR, and STRAWBS. More informed by rock music of the 70s, a harder edge came more naturally to them than it did to MARILLION and PENDRAGON. This aspect tilted them to the KANSAS-STYX axis, and indeed they did sound more in-your-face American than most English bands, the best of FOREIGNER being perhaps a good reference point.. It would be unfair to suggest that they were mere recipients of influence, as I can detect some of the yet unborn MOSTLY AUTUMN and EARTHSTONE qualities in this compilation.

HAZE was obviously an engaging group whose fuzzy vision of 70s prog blended with the realities of the 80s. They represent a sunny footnote to a dark paragraph in our history, which in the end isn"t a bad legacy. 



Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Ophelia
2. I Fear That I"ll
3. Survive
4. For Whom
5. Fallin Leaves
6. Humbug
7. The Vice
8. In The Universe
9. Dig Them Mushrooms
10.A Firkin Of Mead
11.The Load
12.Stoat & Bottle
13.Resealing
14.Tunnel Vision
15.In the End
16.The Red Room
17.Mountain
18.Last Orders

Line-up / Musicians

Paul Chisnell / drums, percussion, vocals
Chris McMahon / bass, keyboards, vocals
Paul McMahon / vocals, guitars