Ytsejam.com Review of The Double-Cross - January 2006
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Tempest – The Double Cross
2006 Magna Carta Records

I have always compared this band to what a heavier version of the folky side of Jethro Tull (‘Songs from the Wood’) 
and Fairport Convention would be. But let’s just say that Tempest has fit within their own mold of British, Celtic, 
and even Scandinavian folk, which is fused with progressive rock; even adding some jam band related factors into 
their music. All the while adding some crunch with an electric guitar and a strong percussive prowess and you have 
the Tempest sound.

Probably their most sophisticated piece of work yet, they almost move more into rock territories on this one, but 
yet, on the other side of the spectrum, their folk sound also is pushed to the envelope. Still the sound of the 
fiddles and mandolins race through the musical passages with their rock tinged chops with more straightforward 
folk-rock tracks such as ‘Captain Kidd,’ ‘Whoever you Are,’ and ‘Eppy Moray,’ which feature the hierarchy for the 
songwriting basis. But of course you have the jam sessions meeting traditionalism with ‘Slippery Slide,’ ‘Per Spelmann,’ 
and ‘Black Eddy,’ adding a different type of improvisational approach to the music, where traditional melodies are 
the basis for expressive instrumentation and arrangements, maybe proving that technical music didn’t begin with the 
progressive rock movement of the 70’s; but centuries before.

Produced by Robert Berry, it’s easy to see where the sophisticated production came full circle in harnessing Tempest’s 
sound on ‘The Double Cross.’ Nevertheless, the album exposes traditional folk/Celtic in an energetic matter that so few 
have been able to do before. 

January 22nd 2006
Reviewer: Tommy Hash