Dorset’s masters of prog Galahad have recently released an album called “Quiet Storms”, as the title suggests, the album shows a mellower and at times pastoral side to the bands. This more laid back piece of work is more of lazy Sunday morning album while reading the newspapers, a sort of record as opposed to the rockier side of the band than we are used to hearing. The album includes several new songs along with new beautiful new re-workings of older songs plus a few tracks which were included on the 2014 EP’s now appearing on an album for the first time.
The majority of the record features original compositions but unusually for Galahad the album also contains a couple of cover versions, one being a stripped down piano, violin and vocal version of Rammstein’s “Mein Herz Brennt” sung in German as well as a reworking of the John Grant track “Marz” complete with additional words by Stu which, ironically, makes it a deeply personal track. As well as the core of the band Quiet Storms also includes several guests such Christina Booth from Magenta on guest vocals, Karl Groom from Threshold on acoustic guitars and occasional keyboards, long time Galahad cohort Sarah Bolter on flute, clarinet, soprano saxophone and backing vocals as well as Louise Curtis on violin.
Once again, the tracks were recorded at Thin Ice Studios in Surrey and in deepest Dorset by Dean Baker and Karl Groom, who as usual, mixed the album. The art work was compiled and created by regular Galahad cohort Paul Tippett and features some beautiful images taken by Roger Holman, Martin Reijman and Stuart Nicholson of iconic Dorset landmarks “Horton Tower” and “Knowlton Church”. This album shows that Galahad have the ability to explore their own diversity and bring together a collection of tunes that create a tranquil atmosphere amongst the usual storms going on around us.
Track listing
Guardian Angel
Iceberg
Beyond the Barbed Wire
Mein Herz Brennt
Termination
This Life Could Be My Last
Pictures of Bliss
Willow Way
Easier Said than Done
Melt
Weightless
Shine
Don’t Lose Control
Marz (And Beyond)
Guardian Angel (Hybrid)
Purchase “Quiet Storms” here:
https://www.galahadonline.com/merchandise
Quiet Storms marks the end of an era as the band say goodbye to departing long time guitarist Roy Keysworth. They are currently working on a new full electric album entitled “Seas of Change” which the band stated about on their Facebook page recently “Seas of Change” will be as ‘Prog’ as we can be……just one very long constantly changing and evolving piece of music with a linked narrative……..and yes this will be very much a ‘rock’ album….and yes there is a concept”. The Artwork will be once again courtesy of the master himself…Paul Tippett.
Links:
http://www.galahadonline.com
http://www.facebook.com/room801
Words by David Chinery & Galahad.
