This one starts off like just another 70s Genesis inspired uninspired neo foray, but what is ultimately delivered is an escape from these oft trodden paths. In the vein of PHIDEAUX, SILVER LINING and BOLLENBERG EXPERIENCE both logistically and musically, the LIFE LINE PROJECT largely represents the vision of one man, here being ERIK DE BEER. He manages to reap the benefits of a singular vision endowed with a spirit of cooperation that are the ultimate but seldom realized goals of progressive projects of this ilk. The centerpiece is really the title suite, a 37 minute 11 part collection with interconnected and repeating themes depicted on symphonic progressive, classical, and medieval instrumentation. Vocals alternate from Peter Van Der Stel's gruff and judgemental prose against our king and Maruschka Kartosonto's somewhat more sympathetic take. Granted, the storyline is simplistic and the liner notes employ language I will not repeat here, but De Beer's integration of musical themes, particularly the CAMEL styled main melody (reminiscent of "Snow Goose") is masterful, resulting in one of the best suites of the modern era. While the ebb and flow of this extended work makes it difficult to consider individual sections out of the context of the whole, it does seem to pick up for "The Chosen Ones" and peak with "World of Steel", thanks to particularly strong tunes and vocals. "Doom" is the instrumental section with the greatest potency, showcasing de Beer's keyboard skills juxtaposed with Dineke Visser's oboe