I picked up Passion Street's debut album a few weeks before the Gods 96 as they were due to play the event and back Hugo as well. As history shows things did not go according to plan that day, the band basically fell to bits on the way to the gig and rather hurriedly pulled together a scratch line up that only backed Hugo on four songs and went under the name of Dirty Kipper. Six weeks later it was back at Maximes in Wigan to see another proposed Hugo gig but, as he had pissed off back to America, that did not happen either luckily though I do remember getting very pissed and talking to the lads from Passion Street.

Eighteen months later the lads were back at the Gods 97 backing Hugo again, this time with the addition of current Pride Guitarist Chris Green and then things all went quite until August 2001 when a new line up and new name was announced, Brave New world were born (SEE I get there eventually!). The band were special guests to Ted Poley’s Melodica project on their August tour that year, with Vocalist Rick Cartey moonlighting on Keyboards for Melodica. Unfortunately on the Newcastle date that I caught the band were plagued by the worst sound mix I’ve ever heard, the keyboards being particularly inaudible and of course,n as far as crowd turnout goes, the gig was almost empty. Not an auspicious start all in all. Anyway Brave New World's debut album crept out some six months later and here we have the recently reissued version courtesy of Lion Music and hence a chance to revisit and review what BNW are capable of.

The album opens with 'Knife In My Back' which showcases the band's style, 'Proggie AOR' to a T. Imagine Dream Theatre circa Images And Words but with much more of a  commercial bent and  clever arrangements and your almost there. Not surprisingly second track in, 'Arabia',  has an Arabian feel to it (A recurring theme this month, but the lads were four years ahead of the pack!) and opens with massive drums and, yes, Arabian keyboard sounds.

'Strange Days' is by far the most progressive track on the album, highlighting the talent of guitarist Pat Heath perfectly as he winds his way up and own the fretboard with ease, conversely however despite being the most overtly progressive track on offer the songs boasts an almost AOR chorus to catch the listeners attention. 'I Want You' sounds like a re-worked Passion Street track that has been progged so to speak to fit in with the BNW ethos and actually works very well as a result of the catchy little riff the song is built around.

Dreams Never Die is a laid back almost ballad style number  that builds and builds, “Very nice, very tasteful”, whilst 'Walls Come Down' simply proves to be an okay mid tempo rocker. 'All The Heroes' features great keyboard and guitar interplay and to this reviewer is a personnel highlight on the album. 'The Other Side' is another great little mid tempo rocker and finally the album is rounded off by the Dream Theatre- esque (Into The) Age Of Chaos and what a stunning end to a fine album it is.

Vocalist Rick Carty handles the material served up with easy and guitarist Pat Heath is stunning thoughout. Indeed, if you want further proof, check out his collaboration with Chris Green and the other members of Pride under the name Evolution on the First Jason Becker tribute album (GO OFF). Heath has also culled the prime spot of lead guitarist in the current European Line-Up of vocalist Danny Vaughn's band, guess brighton must really be a hot bed of talent (or in- breeding!!!)

Given the fact that bands website has not been up-dated since 2004 it's hard to know exactly what is going on with Brave New World at the minute, although I believe they have written enough material for another album and I, for one, hope that this re-issue proves to be the precursor to a new album

Let us know your views on 'Monsters'

Track List

Knife In My Back
Arabia
Strange Days
I Want You
Dreams Never Die
Walls Come Down
All The Heroes
The Other Side
(Into The) Age Of Chaos

Line Up

Rick Cartey – Vocals
Pat Heath – Guitar
Cris J Playle – Keyboards
Stu Brown – Bass
Tommy Folstadl – Drums