Galley Beggar - Silence & Tears (CD Review)

01.Adam And Eve
02.Pay My Body Home
03.Empty Sky
04.Jack Orion
05.Geordie
06.Silence And Tears
07.Sanctuary Song
08.Deliver Him

Paul Dadswell (Drums/Vocals)
David Ellis (Guitar/Mandolin)
Mat Fowler (Guitar/Mandolin/Vocals)
Bill Lynn (Bass)
Celine Marshall (Violin)
Maria O’Donnell (Vocals)

Hailing from Kent and London, Galley Beggar formed circa 2009 and are a band of six musicians that grew up obsessed with an old sound from Fairport Convention to Led Zeppelin.

The name derives from an old English ghost, often reported in the North of England and mentioned as far back as 1584, in Reginald Scot's The Discovery of Witchcraft. This fearsome ghost is described as being almost without flesh and bearing its head under its arm and emitting a deathly scream. The name is derived from the word 'Gallery', meaning to terrify. This ghost is likely to be encountered on country roads and deserted lanes.

Starting with the soft acoustic 'Adam And Eve' the band quickly nail their influences to the wall for all to see, this is as perfect and authentic psychedelic/acid folk as you will ever be lucky enough to hear, from the stunning vocals to the beautiful mandolin and violin.

Up next is a 9 minute epic called 'Pay My Body Home', again its very laid back with some psychedelic guitar work in the mix, even when the pace picks up and the drums increase to match the solo it somehow remains "chilled" as if on a sunny riverbank drinking ice cold cider whilst watching the river flow by.

Phased acoustic guitar and vocal and 'Empty Sky' has a slightly more modern feel, still follows the same patterns of classic folk but this one is more "All About Eve" than "The Trees".

Highly reminiscent of "Steely Span" comes 'Jack Orion' an upbeat multi vocal song, complete with a catchy violin riff, and you dont get to say that very often.

Now 'Geordie' returns to a slightly darker sound, laid back drum beat drives this along and then comes a short guitar solo that just lifts the piece to a higher level.

The title track 'Silence & Tears' is another great acoustic workout with stunning vocals, this is followed by 'Sanctuary Song' which is more of the same only with harmony backing vocals.

The final track is 'Deliver Him' which is mainly a multi tracked vocal (reminded me a bit of Karen Carpenter) a little violin and what sounds like a bit of synth in the background, towards the end the acoustic guitar picks up the pace and then, all too soon, the album is over.

Rating 10/10
For fans Of: Circulus, The Trees, Pentangle, Led Zeppelin, All About Eve

Arstídir Lífsins - Aldafǫor Ok Munka Drottinn (CD Review)

01.Kastar Heljar Brenna Fjarri Ofan Onundarfiroinum
02.Knorr Siglandi Birtisk A Löngu Bláu Yfirborði
03.Þeir Heilags Dóms Hirðar
04.Úlfs Veðrit Er Ið CMXCIX
05.Máni, Bróðir Sólar Ok Mundilfara
06.Tími Er kominn At kveða Fyrir Pér
07.Norðsæta Gatis, Herforingja Ormsins Langa
08.Bituls Skokra Benvargs Hreggjar A Sér Stað
09.Sem Lengsk Vánar Lopts Ljósgimu Hvarfs Dregr Narri


Arni (Drums/Vocals/Cello)
Marsel (Vocals)
Stefan (Guitar/Bass/Piano)

Since 2008, the art of the outstanding Icelandic/German Metallers Árstíðir lífsins (Icelandic for “The Seasons of Life“) truly breathes Old Norse history on all levels. Now, and with their 3rd album Aldafoðr ok munka dróttinn (Old Icelandic for Óðinn and the God of the Monks), Árstíðir lífsins further depict the vivid and cruel Icelandic Middle Ages from the most realistic angle possible.

Entirely sung in Old Norse-Icelandic and with added Skaldic stanzas from the world-known Icelandic sagas, Aldafoðr ok munka dróttinn takes you on a journey to the uttermost vivid and mythic Conversion of Iceland in the year 1000 as it is displayed in the vernacular medieval sources from the stormy North-Atlantic. Árstíðir lífsins, however, represent authenticity on all levels: as diverse as the world views of Christians and heathens are, also the composition and arrangement of music is on Aldafoðr ok munka dróttinn: From ambient archaic folklore patterns, supported by dark chants and classical instruments, to Black Metal elements in their finest Norwegian tradition and epic double-bass driven Viking Metal parts, the musical abilities materialize and teach a powerful lession in real craftmanship. So behold, this profound journey is truly intended to capture the listeners and directly depart them into a long gone time of struggling worshippers of Óðinn and the God of the Monks.

Aldafoðr ok munka dróttinn is a full length album, in all its meanings; to depict and express such various topics of Scandinavian history and myth.

Taking track one on face value, its a stunning, awesome and mind blowing epic 12 minutes of pure musicianship!
From the traditional folk elements it moves into a very dark almost black metal song except every time you think its going somewhere you know it then throws in a different sound, the vocals go from what sounds like chanting monks, to normal vocals then spoken words.
Half way through we border on extreme metal with frantic double pedal work and demonic vocals just as that gets into its stride it drops away for some simple and ambient keyboard and guitar playing.
The one draw back is that it is in their native tongue, but then that never did Rammstein any harm and somehow it doesnt matter it has atmosphere by the ton.

That review covers the next few tracks, each seemingly adding to the quality of the album, when we get to track six however we are treated to a classical piece with some more of that monk chanting style vocal.

The remainder of the album returns to the original style, honestly if i were to write about each song I would just be repeating myself, this is a stunning and essential body of work to own!

Rating 10/10
For fans of: Ulver, Sunn 0))), Rammstein, Mono

Mostly Autumn - Go Well, Diamond Heart (Cd Review)

01.For All We Shared
02.Violet Skies
03.Deep In Borrowdale
04.Something Better
05.Go Well, Diamond Heart
06.Back To Life
07.Hold The Sun
08.And When The War Is Over…


Bryan Josh (Lead Guitar/Acoustic Guitar/Keyboards/Vocals)
Olivia Sparnenn (Vocals)
Andy Smith (Bass)
Anne-Marie Helder (Acoustic & Electric guitar/Flute/Keyboards/Vocals)
Gavin Griffiths (Drums)
Liam Davison (Electric & Acoustic Guitar/Vocals)
Iain Jennings (Keyboards/Synthesizers)


Formed in 1992 by Bryan Josh the English prog rock group Mostly Autumn have built a loyal following with little media coverage and no major label support and gained the attention of the likes of Jon Lord and Richard Wright and toured with with 'Blackmore's Night', 'Uriah Heep' and Jethro Tull.

19 albums later the band are attempting a slightly different musical direction and with the depature of original vocalist Heather Findlay last year is the debut for Olivia Sparnenn.


Overall the album sticks to celtic folk/rock influences and has little in common with any modern prog rock group i can think of.

Songs such as 'Deep In Borrowdale' show signs of a strong rock influence as does 'Something Better' with its nice guitar riff, however in the latters case the overall song is damaged by stupid lyrics.

Elsewhere i think the term "Ambient" could be applied, definatley too laid back for any listener, unless you still have those "New Age" tapes you brought at Glastonbury 30 years ago.

Very obvious post 'Final Cut' Pink Floyd influences show on 'Go Well, Diamond Heart' &'And When The War Is Over'.

Very talented musicians and great production cannot lift this beyond an average example of a genre that can still excite and be taken seriously by the modern music fan.

STU

Rating 5/10

For Fans Of: Clannad, All About Eve, Corrs, David Gilmore