NAD SYLVAN – The Regal Bastard [Ltd Digipak +2] (2019)

With his new album “The Regal Bastard” to be released tomorrow NAD SYLVAN reaches the climactic conclusion to his impressive Vampirate trilogy. ‘The Regal Bastard’ is very much Sylvan’s vision, and he has firmly taken hold of the reins in the studio. Once more, Sylvan has pulled together a tremendous array of musical talent to bring his inspiration to life. Steve Hackett plays guitar on one track, Guthrie Govan on two, while Tony Levin does the bass on a song. Jonas Reingold plays bass on much of the album, and Nick D’Virgilio handles the drums.

‘The Regal Bastard’ is maybe not as riff heavy as the previous Sylvan albums. I would describe the sound as coming from the notion of melodic rock&pop going prog, with bluesy elements in there as well. It is very soulful.
As said, this is the finale to a trilogy, but it’s not necessary to have heard the prior records to enjoy this album. The breadth of what you encounter here musically and stylistically means it’s a rollercoaster of an album.

The epic “I Am The Sea” kicks the album off in great style, with interesting rhythm styles underpinning the enormous range of Nad’s vocal, plus the bonus of a incredible guitar solo by Guthrie Govan.
Funkier influences are apparent in “Meet Your Maker”, powered as it is by drummer on most of the album, Nick D’Virgilio, paired with bass legend Tony Levin, and sprinkled with female vocals – that aside everything else in this track is the work of Nad himself (many may assume he’s “just the singer” but the crazy keyboard parts and angular guitar is all his own work).

This album blends its prog with pop, soul, and blues, rather than the metal riff you find in heavier aspects of the genre – so it’s one for those of you who prefer the melody to the shred.
The title track is a multi part, orchestrated epic, that shifts through a number of phases, including a breakdown powered by Jonas Reingold’s bass followed by a brief but wonderful guitar solo from Nad himself.

“Leave Me On These Waters” is beautifully restrained and incredibly melodic, with Nad’s vocal going from its depths to its heights – this track is an amazing showcase for everything that is great about Nad’s voice.
The last track is an instrumental called “Honey I’m Home” which begins with a wonderful Moog-style keyboard solo before his part-time boss, Mr. Hackett steps in to play some lyrical guitar with a tone that suggests and compliments the aquatic themes of the album.

With the album proper over, there are also two additional songs which sit outside of the concept, but as welcome add-ons.
“Diva Time” is a bit like a darker, prog ABBA track in some respects – and I mean that as compliment, based on its strong chorus and melancholic lyric. Then there’s Nad’s version of W.B. Yeats’ poem, “The Lake Of Innisfree” is something that I enjoyed a great deal. It contains perhaps the most Genesis-y moments on the album, with picked acoustic guitars and bass pedals – a beautiful conclusion.

This is an album whose rich textures mean that repeated listening reward the listener with deeper insights. It is a carefully crafted sonic experience with precision instrumentation and is a superb showcase for Nad’s vocal, compositional and arranging talents.
Highly Recommended

01. I Am the Sea
02. Oahu
03. Whoa (Always Been Without You)
04. Meet Your Maker
05. The Regal Bastard
06. Leave Me on These Waters
07. Honey I’m Home
08. Diva Time (Digipak Bonus Track)
09. The Lake Isle of Innisfree (Digipak Bonus Track)

Nad Sylvan – vocals, keyboards, guitars, programming, orchestration
with:
Anders Wollbeck – keyboards, programming, orchestration
Steve Hackett – guitar
Guthrie Govan – guitar
Roine Stolt – guitar
Tony Levin – Chapman stick, electric bass
Jonas Reingold – bass
Nick D’Virgilio – drums, percussion
Tania Doko, Jade Ell – vocals
Sheona Urquhart – vocals, saxophone
Doane Perry – drums, percussion

Pre order:
www.amazon.co.uk/Regal-Bastard-Ltd-CD-Digipak/dp/B07QRN3RYP