Sydney-based symphonic rock band Aleph's one album, Surface Tension, featured full-blown, complex progressive rock in the Yes/Genesis/King Crimson vein. Joe Walmsley's high-pitched vocals recalled Yes singer Jon Anderson, while Dave Froggett's guitar style was in the manner of King Crimson's Robert Fripp. The only other local bands playing in a similar style at the time were Sebastian Hardie and Windchase. Surface Tension failed to chart. Prior to the album's release, Aleph issued a cover of The Yardbirds' `Little Games'/`Of the Essence' as a single. Walmsley left before the album appeared at the end of 1977. Unable to find a suitable replacement, the band fell apart in early 1978. Later in the year, Ron Carpenter formed First Light, which issued a self-titled, self-financed album in 1979.
Original line-up: Joe Walmsley (vocals), Dave Froggett (guitar), Mary Carpenter (keyboards), Mary Hansen (keyboards), David Highett (bass), Ron Carpenter (drums)
