Gongzilla - Suffer (1995)

This fine 1995 release represents yet another offshoot of the band Gong, as this outing features "Gong-based" alumni such as legendary guitar god Allan Holdsworth, guitarist Bon Lozaga, vibist Benoit Moerlen, bassist Hansford Rowe, and other luminaries from the progressive rock and jazz fusion genres. With the opener, "Gongzilla," the band commences the proceedings with a tongue-in-cheek aural depiction of Japanese monster Godzilla's ominous footsteps weaving a path of destruction through Tokyo, whereas Lozaga's vicious crunch chords and the rhythm section's power-packed pulse set the stage for the remainder of the production. Throughout, the listener is treated to compactly arranged compositions brimming with the soloists' succinctly stated unison choruses, the rhythm section's multi-layered developments, and Moerlen's peppery performances on vibes and marimba. Highlights abound via Holdsworth's blistering legato lines and the band's strict adherence to good compositional form, also including a few sonorously constructed and memorably melodic ballads. Simply put, Suffer ranks as one of the '90's best and brightest of the oft-maligned fusion scene.