It's moments like this, that I am so glad to be working for Metal Temple. It took me a while to click that this is THAT KANSAS. The KANSAS that brought us songs like "Carry On Wayward Son", "Dust In The Wind", "Hold On", and so many more. Granted this could be because of the new vocalist, Ronnie Platt, or the fact that they have become more and more prog oriented over time, but for the first few songs, it just didn't hit me that this is the same band. Say what you will about those cheesey classics, KANSAS are a great band, and now with the release of their FIFTEENTH studio album, "The Prelude Implicit", they have without a doubt proven their longevity and ability to adapt.

"The Prelude Implicit", while certainly fitting in to the prog genre, obviously doesn't quite sound as pure prog as say, anything by KING CRIMSON, but instead manages to fit in well, while still holding that fantastic classic rock feel that KANSAS became known for, sounding more like a cross between LYNYRD SKYNYRD and PINK FLOYD at times, and honestly any time you can say a band sounds like a cross between those two, this has to be a good thing. It really, really is. This is the first album to feature three new band members, with Ronnie Platt on vocals, keyboardist Dave Manion, and guitarist Zak Rizvi, and only features two of the original members in Phil Ehart and Richard Williams. But what band has been around as long as KANSAS have, and still can say that they have all of their original members? It seems that Ehart and Williams are the driving force behind the band, and it's thanks to them sticking with it, that KANSAS have evolved in to what they are today.

While "The Prelude Implicit" may not exactly scream "single material" due to their further foray in to prog, it's a real treat for fans of old school KANSAS, and of classic rock and prog. "With This Heart" starts off the album in the best way, showcasing everything that the band has become, and especially utilising the violin in the best way possible. Each and every song brings something special to the album and bleeds nostalgia without ever sounding stale. There are songs like "Camouflage", that if they had been released thirty years ago, would have become instant classics. "Section 60" is a beautiful instrumental piece to close out the album, and more than anything else on display thus far, shows how incredibly wonderful a violin can be in a rock band. It's a fitting end to a hell of an album.

The two bonus tracks, as I don't consider these to be an official part of the album, are a great add-on. "Home On The Range" was a great surprise, as a chilling cover of the American Folk song with a slightly modernised feel. "Oh Shenadoah" is the same idea, with it being another cover of a classic American Folk song, however this time it's an instrumental, and serves as another great closer for the entire album.

"The Prelude Implicit" was a hell of a surprise. First of all, not expecting to hear from KANSAS, and also not expecting it to be this good. KANSAS have proven, yet again, that they are an incredible band, with absolutely no sign of dying out soon. For any fans of classic rock or progressive rock, please do yourself a favour and check this album out.

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