Hiya…

Well that was quick…arrived this morning!

I’ve played the album once so far…my initial impression?….REMARKABLE!

They say that the music that stays with you longest is the music of your teens…for me that was 1967-1977, peaking musically in 1970-1973. That was my golden era of music and ‘prog rock’ played a large part of that of course…Yes (Yes Album, Fragile, Close To The Edge), Emerson Lake & Palmer (Tarkus, Pictures…, Brain Salad Surgery) and Rick Wakeman (Six Wives, Journey…, Myths & Legends).

Over the years I’ve listened to a lot of music that supposedly harked back to that time, some of it good, some not so and none of it really capturing the essence that was needed…to be honest, one of the few albums that got even close to creating something extraordinary was Ayreon with “Into The Electric Castle”.

Well done…with your album you’ve managed to exceed all expectations…the presentation, the concept, the song writing, the musical performance, the overall “feel”…wow…I’m approaching 70 and didn’t think I’d hear, or be delighted by, an album so reminiscent of the music of my youth, with an amazingly modern veneer that enhances rather than hides that essence of the past…

Will play it again later, but for now…thank you very much

From the dramatic opening you can tell you’re in for some surprises. The playing is great throughout, solid drumming, lots of melodic guitar-work and interesting synth lines and keyboard pads. I was also very impressed with the soundscapes that form a kind of backdrop for the album.

The narration puts me in mind of a few different albums, Jeff Wayne‘s, “War of the Worlds”, Rick Wakeman’s “Journey to the Centre of the Earth” and the lesser known sidelong epic “In Held ‘Twas In I” from Procol Harum’s second album, Shine On Brightly. But none of those can boast having a narration with a strong north Durham accent!

The song-writing is strong too, Restless River is one of my favourites, it has a hint of Genesis, mainly in the keyboards and a slight Pink Floyd vibe. Great chorus too.

Turn On the Lights is what I would call a great Prog Pop song, a very catchy chorus and superb double harmony guitar-work.
The moody, introspective Too Late has some nice touches, this song has, for me, the best vocal melody and performance. Very poignant.

The album finishes with the very upbeat Walker’s End, mainly instrumental, again with some excellent guitar playing.
It’s hard to believe that this is Gil Galad’s first album, it sounds like a band at the top of their game, mature and full of integrity.

Go on, have a listen, it’s well worth it.