As we are so proud to allude, The Jester has been a prog-rock archetype for many years, at least since Marillion's Fish and artist Mark Wilkinson's surreal cover art tragically redefined the role. But ever since the Jester became the team mascot for the neo-progressive movement, any band with Jester in name, title or album cover has become automatically suspect as Marillion clone. Black Jester are no exception. Even the vocalist claims "Jester" as his nickname! The band is definitely, yet another metal influenced outfit trying to do Marillionmusic with not enough talent or ideas to pull it off. The singer sounds like he's having problems keeping up at times, and the music is dull, uninspired and unimaginative. Such mimicry doth make the Jester suffer. Anyone ever wonder about the tears? Diary Of A Blind Angel
(originally reviewed as part of The New Italian Progressive Rock Scene
(part 1), Exposé #3, p. 6, Edited for Gnosis 3/17/01)
