You have to feel a little sorry for these guys – I mean, not only do they play progressive rock (which has to be probably the most critically despised form of music in the world), but they also come from Ireland which is a country that doesn’t exactly have a great history in these matters. But, one of the most important bands ever to come from Ireland could be called progressive – namely the mighty incredible Horslips – so maybe there is a chance for them after all. Of course, prog music and fantasy artwork has always gone hand in hand so by getting Ted Nasmith, the official illustrator for the Tolkien estate, to get involved was definitely a good move. So to be an Irish progressive rock band makes them a rarity, and originally this was an unsigned release that they put out on there own so these guys obviously have plenty of passion and belief, and the main reason for that is simple. This is bloody good.
This is music that obviously has its’ roots in the Seventies, but really it has way more in common with the bands that were making their presence felt in the early Nineties. There are definitely links with Citizen Cain (and therefore Genesis) and with the much-missed (by me anyway) Belfast proggers Winter, and Hammond-style keyboards can never fail to be a hit either. There is plenty of melody and great lyrics, with vocals that have a real presence, and loads of time signature moves and changes in emphasis and musical dominance.
This is the sort of music that I used to be sent a great deal when I was first getting involved with the underground scene in the early Nineties, and I had forgotten just how much I had missed it. Once this has finished I think that I will have to play Galahad’s ‘Nothing Is Written’ – I’m just in the mood. This is an album that looks backwards as well as forwards, and is something that progheads will play time and again – a sheer delight.
www.progrockrecords.com
