Galahad - Battle Scars
Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 22:16 Written by Ken Foster
Galahad are sometimes described as veterans of the UK prog rock scene, having released 7 studio albums and 3 live albums since 1985. Often mentioned in the same breath as IQ and Pendragon, they rode on the stunted new wave of prog during the Eighties and Nineties.
Battle Scars acknowledges this evolution with the odd nod to techno (Bitter & Twisted), much as IQ still do. Traditional prog fans may be slightly alienated by these themes but I believe we should embrace them. Throwing the odd curve ball is always useful to keep things fresh.
The Battle Scars theme running throughout the album is catchy and the press release claims of an epic album aren't at all pretentious. Suspended Animations's non straightforward time signature is particularly appealing to my ears but don't get the impression that this album is difficult to listen to. Far from it infact. It's an album that grabs you on first play and has enough nuances to keep you hooked for considerable repeat listens.
Singularity is just sublime and develops into a choppy riff (again anything but 4/4) and is perhaps the track most remiscent of IQ here. The 8:32 Seize The Day rounds off the album proper and again ventures into electro/dance territory - a powerful and fitting end to a fine album.
But that's not all... as a very welcome bonus the band have included a 25th anniversary treat in the shape of a new recording of their classic track Sleepers. It's a stunning and very welcome addition to a very fine album. I'd go so far as to say this track is worthy of the price of the album on its own!
Rating: 4.5/5
You can listen to the album at Aurovine here
Aurovine offering top rewards to bands
Last Updated on Thursday, 29 March 2012 18:51 Written by Ken Foster
A new online music sales system called AUROVINE is causing a stir in the music industry.
The music industry has totally transformed from a few years ago and the company has been developing a system that takes an independent ethic combined with groundbreaking technology to change the way bands and fans interact (and more importantly provide fair share earnings).
In a nutshell, bands and artists want to see the maximum return on their music. They want promotion and they don't mind giving the odd track away as a sampler. Fans want to buy the music but they want to pay what they want, get stuff free and more importantly have meaningful interaction with the bands.
The USP's:
Aurovine will be giving a whopping 86% royalty to their artists. (Labels up to 90%)
Aurovine are none exclusive (Artists can still sell their music elsewhere).
Aurovine are transparent (Bands have direct access to their online sales)
Aurovine are label friendly - no complex interfaces, all releases managed from the same admin panel.
Bands and fans can establish a fair share price by empowering their fans to set the prices.
If you are interested in finding out more (either as a band or fan) then visit the pre-launch website at
www.aurovine.com
Aurovine are promising some exclusive tracks and free download credits for early users of the system.
The Fierce & The Dead - On VHS
Last Updated on Thursday, 29 March 2012 18:27 Written by Ken Foster
Always liked The Fierce & The Dead but this EP shows a move toward a definite style. Almost as if the the preceding releases were but a prelude to this real statement of intent. 666..6 has a Rano Pano-esque raw energy, and as with Mogwai’s forays into heavier territory you can sense a conviction akin to a righting of a wrong.
That’s the thing with Post Rock, although a relatively minor genre, you get the feeling that when the historians look back in 50 years it will be these pieces of music that reflected the mood of the nation at the time.
Hawaii continues in the same vein but with Steven’s distinctive intricate guitar style to the fore.
Part 3 is a half and half. First part delicate, even beautiful, before another thunderous heavy outré. The title track ‘On VHS‘ is another astonishing piece. A mix of King Crimson circa Larks Tongues plus a generous dosage of Mogwai and Fripp Soundscapes thrown in for good measure.
The Fierce & The Dead have arrived and then some with this EP. I urge you to download from www.fierceandthedead.com. The EP is released on March 26th.
4/5
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