Two fantastic songs here with “Meeting of the Spirits” and “A Lotus on Irish Streams.” The former has a slow, brooding, dark ambiance to it rarely heard from its era. I had just finished a gothic metal album before starting The Inner Mounting Flame, and I had to do a double take to see if I had accidentally kept playing the other band. I’m not embellishing in the slightest. As for “A Lotus on Irish Streams?” Well, it’s just very pretty and relaxing. The whole album is good with songs titles matching the music, except for “The Dance of Maya” not being nearly as cool as it’s implied.

The rest is spotted with amusing guitar and keyboard interplay, seemingly meant to impress rather than communicate any specific emotion. It’s the sort of jazz musicianship I’m lukewarm to, oddly pleasant-yet-chaotic background noise. I hate to say that about such technical talent, but it’s how I feel. For just those two songs I mentioned above, though, The Inner Mounting Flame comes recommended.