UK melodic prog rock veterans GALAHAD returns with their brand new studio album, ”The Last Great Adventurer”, and after first listen let me tell you this is one of their best albums to date. This record has been several years in the making and most of the songs on the album actually pre-date the previous ‘Seas Of Change’ album from 2018.
Plus, due the constraints of the recent Covid emergency, the album was recorded at several locations over the last couple of years by the various band members and finally edited, mixed and mastered, as usual, by engineer / producer extraordinaire Karl Groom (Threshold / Dragonforce / Pendragon / Arena / Yes etc.).
Musically the album has a crisp contemporary sound but also still includes plenty nods to the band’s progressive heritage particularly on the closing title track which is a very personal tribute to lead singer Stu Nicholson’s father, Bob.
There are so many things to love about this album. First, Stu Nicholson is an exquisite vocalist. He is instantly recognizable and his voice is somehow larger than life, plenty of textures. Second, Lee Abraham’s guitars are fantastic. He has added a fierce and muscular element to the band, and some of his solos on this record are truly extraordinary. Third, Dean Baker’s keys are melodic and expressive. Not only does he offer up some addictive solos, but the general atmosphere and tone he utilizes here just jives with you so well.
It’s not just the individual elements, though, that make this album special. The songs are simply well written, both musically and lyrically, and I find that I can listen to the record back-to-back several times without feeling the desire to switch to something else.
I simply love the atmosphere and melody that this band brings.
”The Last Great Adventurer” technically has 5 tracks, but there are two bonus tracks, as well. Each of the songs has a particular strong personality. “Alive” is the opener, and besides its wonderful chorus, I like the energy and the absolutely searing synth solo that feels so vibrant.
“Omega Lights” is a 10-minute piece with what I would admit is a slightly weak chorus, but everything else about the song is incredible. I love the pace, the ambient portions, the wide variety of keys, and the incredible instrumental section near the end. The song is so strong, even if it doesn’t really get stuck in my head.
Skipping to the end, the title track is another 10-minute song, and it is a good one. I like how gracious and nostalgic it feels as the band celebrates the legendary mountain climbers of Groβglockner and Wildspitze. Stu’s father was part of that crew and is pictured on the cover; that adds a very human and emotional element to this already wonderful piece, as that connection obviously influences who the “last great” is in this song.
The song has bluesy moments and slower, vocal-centered parts, and everything just feels right. The fiery guitar solo from Lee in the second half only serves to elevate the track even more.
My favorite two tracks on the album are “Blood, Skin, and Bone” and “Enclosure 1764”. The former has the soothing edge that Galahad does so well, and its glorious chorus immediately stayed with me. There’s great background female vocal harmonies, almost Middle Eastern in style, and there’s just something slightly gritty and macabre about the song that really highlights it for me, especially the spoken word portion from Stu in the second half.
That song feels like it continues directly into “Enclosure 1764”, even though it doesn’t actually. This composition is rather cinematic and thoughtful as it utilizes an anti-enclosure nursery rhyme to somber effect. It isn’t a typical rock song at all, but I love how ominous and full of social commentary it is.
I mentioned the two bonus tracks earlier, and I must say that they are both excellent. In fact, they may be two of my favorites overall. “Normality of Distance” is a serene song with a classic sort of golden rhythm that I find very attractive. It is catchy in that way, and it has my favorite chorus on the album, even if I wouldn’t call the gentle chorus incredibly addictive or anything. No, there is something more reserved about it that has really stamped it upon my memory.
“Another Life Not Lived” is a sad song lyrically, and that has really drawn me to it. The lyrics are clear and concise, and the song overall makes my mind wander, not from the song, but from whatever else I’m doing. I love that song.
Galahad continues to prove that they are one of the most underrated modern progressive bands out there today. They write fantastic melodies, they combine rock and electronic sounds to soothing effect, and they have lyrics that can definitely feel biting and uncompromising.
This album is not only one of the best examples of their work, but also a great place to start becoming acquainted.
Tracklist:
01. Alive (8:20)
02. Omega Lights (10:05) :
- Part One: Alpha
- Part Two: Omega
03. Blood Skin and Bone (8:17)
04. Enclosure 1764 (4:07)
05. The Last Great Adventurer (10:35)
06. Normality of Distance (5:50)
07. Another Life Not Lived (7:55)
08. Alive (Radio Edit) (4:12)
09. Omega Lights (Radio Edit) (4:36)
Line Up:
- Stu Nicholson / vocals
- Lee Abraham / guitar
- Dean Baker / keyboards
- Mark Spencer / bass
- Spencer Luckman / drums
Galahad – The Last Great Adventurer (2022)
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