Surprise - Assault On Merryland (Reissue) (1977/1995)

SURPRISE were an obscure American prog rock band from St. Louis, Missouri, featuring Mark Biehl (vocals/flute), Rick Bess (guitars, bass), Blair Blake (keyboards), and Dave Kelly(percussion).

They formed in 1976 right after high school and began with cover songs in the basement. The band soon became influenced by more progressive rock bands primarily Yes, Genesis and Gentle Giant. Soon they were able to cover this challenging prog material with ease and friends started to encourage them to write some original music. This material, written by Blair and Bess, was to make up basis of the bands lone album a conceptual fantasy themed work called "Assault on Merryland."

Recorded in late 1976 at Technisonics Studios and produced by Bill Schulenberg and the band, the original vinyl run of 1000 copies fetches big bucks amongst collectors. Released in the Fall of 1977 on the band's own Carousel Records, it's a beautiful work inspired by the English prog giants.