This was his first release on his own label and his last studio album from his prime.
Released in 1973, this is his fifth album. It is also his first release from his self-founded label, Manticore Records. The album is dominated by the epic suite Karn Evil 9.
This album is highly regarded as one of ELP's masterpieces. The first track, "Jerusalem," is the first vocal arrangement. The second track, "Toccata," is an arrangement of Alberto Ginastera's "Piano Concerto No. 1, 4th Movement," and includes a classical piece also arranged on this album. The original artwork for the jacket was done by HR Giger, who is well known for his work on the movie "Alien."
