LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

• Legendary 1969 Scottish heavy psych / proto-progressive classic
• Newly remastered sound
• Original artwork reproduced in a hard-cardboard sleeve
• Includes insert with extensive liner notes by David Wells
• Features contributions from original drummer Jimmy Hush plus rare photos and memorabilia
• Recommended for fans of Deep Purple, Arthur Brown, Family, The Doors and early Wishbone Ash

A landmark of the late-'60s British underground, Writing On The Wall's sole studio album The Power Of The Picts occupies the fascinating territory where psychedelia, progressive rock and the emerging heaviness of the new decade collide.

The group began life in Edinburgh in 1966 as The Jury, initially building their repertoire around American soul and R&B. As the psychedelic revolution gathered momentum, exposure to bands such as Love and The Doors pushed them towards a darker and considerably heavier style. Hammond organ, distorted guitar, dramatic vocals and long instrumental passages became central to a sound that was already pointing towards both progressive hard rock and proto-metal.

By the end of the decade, Writing On The Wall had developed an imposing live reputation. Singer Linnie Paterson, guitarist Willy Finlayson, keyboard player Bill Scott, bassist Jake Scott and drummer Jimmy Hush combined powerful musicianship with an unusually theatrical stage show, making them regular attractions at key underground venues including London's Middle Earth and the Marquee Club. Their growing profile also brought them to the attention of John Peel, resulting in BBC sessions for his influential Top Gear programme.

Released in 1969 on the short-lived Middle Earth label, The Power Of The Picts captures the band at their most adventurous. It Came On A Sunday opens with a forceful mixture of guitar and organ, while Mrs. Cooper's Pie moves deeper into psychedelic territory. The hard-hitting Ladybird demonstrates just how heavy the group could sound, before the extended Aries stretches into strange, theatrical and progressive territory.

The second side is equally strong, moving from the ominous Bogeyman and organ-rich Shadow Of Man through the driving Taskers Successor and atmospheric Hill Of Dreams before closing with Virginia Waters. Throughout the record, Bill Scott's keyboards provide a dense backdrop for Finlayson's guitar while Paterson's distinctive vocals heighten the album's dark and dramatic personality.

Writing On The Wall had the sound, live following and ambition to become one of Britain's major heavy progressive groups, even appearing before a huge audience at the Rio Song Festival in Brazil. Management difficulties and unsuccessful label negotiations ultimately prevented that breakthrough, leaving The Power Of The Picts as the group's only original album and one of the great cult records of the period.

Track Listing:

Side A
A1. It Came On A Sunday
A2. Mrs. Cooper's Pie
A3. Ladybird
A4. Aries

Side B
B1. Bogeyman
B2. Shadow Of Man
B3. Taskers Successor
B4. Hill Of Dreams
B5. Virginia Waters