GALAHAD – Beyond The Realms Of Euphoria (2012)
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GALAHAD formed in 1985, UK, just for fun playing half covers (Zeppelin, Rush, Marillion, etc) and half original material. Galahad then supported a few fairly well known Progressive bands that were coming up at the time including IQ, Pendragon and Magnum.
The band has now released fifteen albums, played hundreds of gigs in the Britain, Europe and America over the last few years.
“Beyond The Realms Of Euphoria” is their brand new effort, and again the group visits vast musical territories.
Dean Baker has had a huge impact on the overall sound of the Galahad since he joined, and nowhere is this more obvious than on the first number, “Salvation I : Overture’.
It is totally keyboard driven, with elements coming in from electronic as well as Jean Michel Jarre, yet when the bass and drums join it takes on a new life and when Roy Keyworth starts riffing it becomes obvious that this was a beat driven rock number all along.
At first glance, some listeners can stay a bit confusing with next track “Salvation II : Judgement Day”, as it includes some techno elements, but don’t worry, as in many ways this album is the heaviest I have ever heard the band, although part of that heaviness is due to the lack of guitars in places so when they come crunching back they really hit home.
What makes this song (and in fact the album) is the interplay between the guys. They are so tight that you feel that they are a multiheaded prog beast. There are times when Neil and Roy are providing incredibly quick complex runs that one just can’t believe that this is two guys and not one, the note structures are immaculate.
Galahad have moved a long way musically over the years, but they still don’t forget their roots. Genesis is alluded to near the end of “Guardian Angel”, which starts with a classic guitar riff, with the beats driving it along until the keyboards takes control and moves it into another direction.
Something very special is the closing number. To celebrate their 25th anniversary Galahad decided to re-record one of their most known songs; ‘Richeleiu’s Prayer’. There is some extremely delicate piano on this, and they have managed to move it to a new level while retaining some of the original feel from 20+ years ago.
“Beyond The Realms Of Euphoria” is one of the finest Neo Prog albums that you will hear this year, no matter what name is on the cover, and is certainly Galahad’s finest work to date.
The guys are all on top form, and producer Karl Groom has captured the very essence of the band and distinguished the instruments so that even when everything is blasting away there is still perfect clarity of what is taking place.
“Beyond The Realms Of Euphoria” is much more than modern Prog, it’s a fascinating experience.
01. Salvation I – Overture
02. Salvation II – Judgement Day
03. Guardian Angel
04. Secret Kingdoms
05. …And Secret Worlds
06. Waves
07. Guardian Angel – Reprise
08. Richelieu’s Prayer 2012
Stuart Nicholson – vocals
Roy Keyworth – guitars
Spencer Luckman – drums
Neil Pepper – bass
Dean Baker – keyboards
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