The John Walker Imaginarium – Time Shift is the latest offering from British Prog Rock band Gil-Galad, consisting primarily of Paul Dobson on Guitars, Nev Tobin on vocals and Narration, and Kev Stevens on Drums. All three also multi task on various other instruments with guests contributing at various points during the album.

From the first moment when the Narrator invokes in his soft captivating voice “There is time – there is always time” we are left in no doubt that Gil-Galad are about to take us, the listener, on yet another exciting journey into the realms of their Victorian era fantasy world. Two years in the making The Imaginarium is, at almost 80 minutes in length, a Prog Rock concept album in the classic sense of the word and in very much the same vein as Genesis’s “Lamb” or IQ’s “Subterranea” – lots of individual tracks which combined create a whole. However, unlike the above albums the songs are melded together by the expert voice of The Narrator. This a story without the angst or the heavy bombast which its’ thematic contemporaries often succumb to.

Prog credentials are clearly defined by the subject matter and by the use of traditional instruments and the integration of modern technology. Along with the expected varied guitars, bass, drums and percussion, there is a wealth of textured synthesiser sounds and programming – all bound together with the expert use of modern recording methods. There is the employment of fantasy imagery in both its musical content and accompanying outstanding artwork and packaging. There is a Steampunk element to the artwork and design but never too much – just enough to transport the reader back in time. The characters come to life on the page to accompany the lyrics and music perfectly.

The English aesthetic and themes are very prominent although at times the music branches out and shakes hands with influences from other cultures. That’s how Prog should be! For those familiar with Gil-Galad’s first offering A Record of the Unworldly and the Strange you will already have an inkling what to expect – but be prepared for some very pleasant surprises on this masterful second release.

After the brief Intro the musical journey kicks off with the up tempo Prisoners In Time, complete with ticking clocks to remind us the story is set in times past. There’s a very 1980’s rock vibe running through the song but just when I thought I knew what to expect the middle section threw me into a surprise discordant bridge – this was not going to be all soft silk cushions and light. It alerts me to the fact I’m being taken on a journey made up from many musical textures. We Are Scientists takes the curious engrossed listener further into the world of the John Walker’s compelling Imaginarium.

By the time I reach The Traveller: Altered Destiny (the longest track on the album) I’m totally hooked. There is once again a 1980’s feel to the wonderfully ethereal intro followed by an exciting crunchy guitar riff. Everything calms down briefly before the soaring guitar solo finally kicks in. This track really does have it all – with a swinging keyboard rhythm and vocals which at times mirrors some of the best techno rock of the 80’s (only better). I find myself singing along with the line “Living in a 2D rock and roll 2D world”. Full steam ahead as the wheels of the Time Shift takes the listener on a journey of more than just the two dimensions. This is my favourite track so far.

A Chance To Speak is a short, melodic and romantic interlude before The Imaginarium puts its foot firmly down on the steel time-warp pedal and takes the listener/explorer deeper into exciting realms of shifting tempos, meaningful thought-provoking lyrics and the rollercoaster world of protagonist John Walker and the other characters existing within the Imaginarium.

The Watchers has some odd time signatures, a guitar solo worthy of fans of the David Gilmour sound, some great bass playing accompanied by a sinister textured undertone. For some reason I find myself not quite trusting the Watchers from the tale! Escape From York continues the exciting pace – an instrumental with a spacy intro followed by pulsating programmed keyboards and heavy bass. Special electronic effects remind me of Tangerine Dream, and it’s all interspersed with an addictive repeating guitar riff. The bass guitar at the end of the track is classic. I love this track. Paul Dobson articulates his guitar sounds with a skill finely-honed over decades of playing.

A Walk In The Woods features guest vocalist Linzi Hunter, whose voice is very reminiscent of Kate Bush. Her vocals provide a delicious vehicle for the music – the marching band drum beat and Celtic melody is both deep and evocative. Just when I thought the song couldn’t get any better the lead guitar jumps in with the kind of solo I enjoy listening to – modest and yet both skilful and melodic. This song really does get better with every listen. Linzi’s voice is addictive.

Dreams of Samira has a lovely bluesy melody and once again some wonderful lyrics and vocals by Nev Tobin. “Time and distance float on by on the eldritch wings of love”. What a chorus! Once again some exceptional guitar playing from Paul. Throughout the album drummer Kev Stevens has skilfully underpinned the rhythm section with steady reliable hands. It is on songs like this we see the beauty of the musical interplay, friendship and unity these guys have enjoyed since Gil-Galad was first formed back in the late 1970’s. Time-shifting or otherwise – the years have not diminished their skill.

The Burghers is yet another cracking good track. A crunchy punching drum rhythm and guitar intro. On this song I believe Nev’s vocals are at their best. The whole track is reminiscent of IQ on the Subterranea album, although more melodic and accessible, yet it still retains drama and sinister depth. Before Today is Yesterday has a gentle rhythm and embracing lyric with soft keyboard and lead guitars – it feels reflective but optimistic. Geoff Parkin joins the band on lead guitar bringing an added layer of texture to the song. If you like late 70’s Genesis you will love this one. Where will the journey take us next, I wonder?

Darkened Embers of Suspicion starts with the sinister howl of a wolf. The song is dramatic and has Eastern influences which takes the listener ever deeper into John Walker’s fever-like Imaginarium, with some fine distorted guitar and a notable prominence of the piano towards the end of the track. And then…another final chilling howl of the wolf just to add to the already existing shiver down the spine.

The Strange Long Night has a beautiful piano intro and thoughtful vocals, with some odd time signatures. It has all the hallmarks of romance with melodic Genesis-style keyboards. Musically this song has a bit of everything. After the excitement and rollercoaster ride of the previous tracks it’s a relatively subdued, but no less enjoyable, interlude before the all hell breaks loose again.

The last two tracks are both instrumentals and each completely showcase the virtuosity of all the band members. The Storm is both dramatic and engrossing – with thundering drums and a great keyboard solo. For me this is Prog at its very best – with varied time signatures and choral-style accompaniment. By the time the track reaches its energetic, fast-paced ending I almost feel as if I’ve been tossed about between the stormy sea and a rocky coastline like a piece of driftwood. Is this the end for John Walker? I hope not.

The final track The Nature of Time has a strong piano intro and it dominates throughout. It is accompanied by beautiful synth strings, vocal style harmonies and melodic orchestral keyboard sounds. The whole feel of the track is panoramic in its presentation, and with reverie as John Walker reflects upon his tumultuous journey through time and place. It is a fitting end to an exciting and immersive journey. The final note of the piano hangs in the air and leaves me wanting to start the journey once more – caught in a never-ending time loop.

The John Walker Imaginarium – Time Shift is more than just a collection of consistently high quality songs by an accomplished band – it is a journey into another realm born from the imagination of its creators. Creative and skilful, melodic and meaningful – but never overtly bombastic. It rocks and it rolls, it ebbs and flows and shifts through many musical styles and influences.

The album packaging, accompanying artwork and booklet itself is exceptional and follows the same themes and style as the previous album. So much time, hard work and professionalism has been employed to create the whole concept in all areas – visually, aural and I dare say transcendent. Truly a massive project of passion and love. One now hopes in the future there will be a third offering to complete a Trilogy.

New Music from Gil Galad has become something to behold, and this new recording is an astonishing musical statement! Recognize, this is a band that had its “hey-days” in the eighties and then essentially disappeared from the music scene until 2024 and yet over that time has not lost an ounce of creativity. In fact their new music displays a maturity many modern bands could learn a thing or two from.

This new release, The John Walker Imaginarium incorporates all of the creativity of the past and updates it with new technology, new ideas and new sounds, along with years of musical maturity to create an amazing musical production that could best be described as a mix of the best of the Alan Parson Project and Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds. Only for me, it’s better all around.

Fourteen tracks of music with many “spoken-word” interludes go to propel the band’s fascination with the non-fictional character of John Walker, the man who invented the friction match. The sound is rich and lush with both modern and vintage sounds, mostly from the keyboards, but this is an amazing collection of songs that hearkens back to a time of musical listening that begs for the experience of collapsing on the couch with the lyric sheet and music on loud to recreate the overall proper listening experience.

Then just when you think any one of these songs is figured out, the band nudges the composition in an all-together different direction, making for a totally progressive rock journey of music and story. The music is grand, melodic, and yet full of suspense and drama. Simply amazing.

More than that, the music is assembled in an amazing physical package of visuals, including lyrics and period perfect photos. This is a first class production from all perspectives that puts to rest the old adage that, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” the fact is these ‘old-dogs’ have got plenty of musical and visual tricks up their sleeves.

I can’t recommend the music of Gil Galad enough! There is so much here to enjoy. Absolutely Brilliant.

Another great offering from Gil Galad with lots of twists and turns to keep you on your toes. You can tell there has been a lot of time, energy and inspiration that has gone into this new album, The John Walker Imaginarium – Time Shift.

A very atmospheric opening, Intro (narration), leads into the first song,
Prisoners in Time. With a lot of forward motion it’s a fine opening song, lots of intertwining guitars and synths which puts me in mind of the supergroup “UK” from the late ‘70s.

Moving on to, The Traveler – Alternative Destiny. This starts with a great “Rock” riff, probably one of the heavier riffs on the album and moves into quite a melodic verse and chorus and some shorter eerie sections that round it off very nicely.

The Watchers, is one of my favourites from the album, it has a great rousing riff in in 7/8 to start the song. Very exciting! Then after the verse, which is in a minor key, it suddenly goes into a major key for the chorus and it just lifts you up. For me it’s the best chorus on the album and to my mind, one of the best choruses on any album, this is pure magic.

A Walk in the Woods, has a very Celtic feel to it and has a wonderful guest vocal from Linzi Hunter. The song very atmospheric and the vocal is full of warmth and passion. This too is a highlight from the album.

Before Today is Yesterday, is more of a ballad with a lovely warm chord sequence and vocal melody and some nice acoustic and electric guitar interplay. I like the unusual spoken lines that are interjected now and again throughout the song. Nice touch.

The Strange Long Night, is another ballad with some nice synth parts. This is one of Nev’s best vocal performances on the album. I feel he is sounding more confidant on this album. He has the ability to move between the warmth of a ballad to the strength of the harder, edgier songs but also the mystery and the menace of some of the narration.

The last two tracks are instrumentals, on The Storm, Gil Galad conjure up a perfect Symphonic Prog depiction of a storm. You can almost feel the waves crashing and trees being uprooted, it’s quite intense. This is the climax of the album and it leads into the last track, The Nature of Time, a mellow piano and synth led piece which is acts as an epilogue or coda to the album, you can almost feel the sun on your face with this one.

Special mention should go to the artwork for the CD. Once again it’s the work of Kev Stevens who also plays the drums and a few other instruments. The whole band do a lot of multi-tasking on these albums.

All in all an excellent album of Symphonic, Cinematic, Prog Rock, an album that Gil Galad should be very, very proud of.