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Khazad Doom

Band members Related acts

- Jack Eadon - vocals, lead guitar, percussion (-72)

- Steve Hulkin - drums, percussion, backing vocals (-72)

- Tom Sievers - bass, backing vocals (-72)

- Steven Yates - vocals, keyboards (-72)

- none known

Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Level 6 1/2 Company: LPL Catalog: Year: 198? Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: reissue Available: 1 Price: $45.00	Here's an album that, if you can find an original copy, will set your savings account back an impressive $800-$1,000. It's also an album that continues to generate heated debate in collector's circles. Fans are quick to claim this outfit as progressive wunderkinds, while critics call them dull, ponderous and use other more colorful adjectives. Needless to say, we're offering a reasonably priced reissue !!! Living in the Chicago suburb of Morton Grove, Illinois, guitarist Jack Eadon, drummer Steve Hilkin, bassist Tom Sievers and keyboard player Steve Yates started playing music while in their teens. As The Vibratos (soon to be The Laymen), their initial repertoire was surf music (an interesting choice of genres for four kids living in Illinois). By the late-'60s they'd shifted their musical focus to hard rock and progressive moves. Taking their name from J.R. Tolken's Lord of the Rings (a mountain beneath which dwarves built a seven tiered underground city), Khazad Doom debuted with 1970's "Level 6 1/2". Produced Eadon, the overall results were surprisingly accomplished, particularly for such a low budget endeavor. Musically it may not have been the year's most original offering, but group-penned tracks such as "Excerpts from The Hunters, The Prelude" and "Narcissus" showcased a interesting mix of extended, progressive moves. Interesting, in spite of it's reputation as a progressive offering, the majority of the album is quite commercial. Keyboard propelled tracks such as "Nothing To Fear", the ballad "In This World", "In the Den" and "Excerpts from Uncle Gilroy's Crazy Son" all sported tight harmonies and strong melodies. If you weren't a Tolken fan, the goofy sci-fi lyrics ("The Golden Yellow Meadow") probably didn't do much for you, but then the original pressing was reported limited to 180 copies. (Original copies of the album included a pair of inserts, one containing lyrics.) "Level 6 1/2" track listing: 1.) Excerpts from The Hunters a.) The Prelude (Jack Eadon) - 12:15 2.) In This World (Steven Yates) - 2:40 3.) Nothing To Fear (Steven Yates - Jack Eadon - Dixon) - 2:45 4.) Music (Steven Yates - Steve Hilkin) - 3:35 5.) Excerpts from The Hunters a.) In the Den (Jack Eadon) - 4:25 b.) The Golden Yellow Meadow (Jack Eadon) - 7:05 6.) Narcissus (Steven Yates - Jack Eadon - Steve Hilkin - Tom Sievers) - 5:53 7.) Excerpts from Uncle Gilroy's Crazy Son (Jack Eadon - J. McHugh) - 3:00 Following the set's release, the quartet began recording a follow-on, but personal disagreements arose and by 1972 they'd had called it quits.

Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Encore! Company: LPL Catalog: Year: 1995 Grade (cover/record): -- Comments: CD format Available: -- Price: --	Seemingly destined for oblivion, the early-'80s saw the set bootlegged, in the process enjoying a resurgence among European audiences. The boot's easy to spot since it sports a black and white cover. Learning the album had been booted, 1995 saw Eadon release "Encore!". Working with the original tapes, "Encore!" was a limited edition 13 track CD compilation. In addition to the original LP , the set included a pair of 1968 efforts from the band's Laymen catalog ("Cherry Town" and ""), three tracks originally the shelved Khazad Doom sophomore album (the three section "Stanley's Visit To Kerkle Morff" was certainly odd) and a late-'70s Eadon solo effort. "Encore!" track listing: unknown Eadon turned his attention to writing, including the autobiographical Got To Make It. There's also a mildly informative Khadaz Doom website: http://www.khazad.com

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