Rick Wakeman - Live At The London Palladium 2023 (Fragile Records/Esoteric Recordings) [Matt Bladen]
For some, 4CDs of "The Caped Crusader" may be asking to torture but I'm a bit of prog junkie, so having a copy of these two nights is a bit special for me. Capturing his two shows at the London Palladium in February 2023, it sees Grumpy Old Rick performing three of his solo albums and a set of Yes classics in front of a rapturous crowd with his band the English Rock Ensemble and the English Chamber Choir. If you've not heard the three solo albums performed here, then I'd suggest picking up this live set as for me they're the best way to experience them a highly drilled band and choir bringing out the best in Wakeman as keyboard maestro as they perform new arrangements especially for these shows.
All three are conceptual kicking off with the fully instrumental The Six Wives Of Henry VIII, each one of the wives given a song, the keys of Wakeman taking centre stage alongside the band featuring Dave Colquhoun (guitars), Adam Falkner (drums), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Adam Wakeman (keyboard/guitars). Instrumental muscle flexed in the first set, we get the more in-depth with The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table, which features yet more virtuoso performances along with vocals from Hayley Sanderson and the English Chamber Choir conducted by Guy Protheroe.
If you want conceptual you have it here as the fantasy elements of Avalon's one true king and his faithful knights are brought vividly to life along with narration from the recently deceased Ian Lavender. The bigger concept though is on the monstrous Journey To The Centre Of the Earth which features actor Peter Egan telling the story. If you've heard the albums before you'll want to listen to them again here as the new arrangements will excite even long time fans but for me the main selling point is the Classic Yes set where tracks such as Roundabout, Wonderous Stories, And You & I and Starship Trooper/Wurm are all performed brilliantly as if it's the first time.
Hayley's vocals adding some soul, the links between Yes and Wakeman's solo records identifiable. This is 4 discs and a few hours but for fans it will be one of the best collections this year, anyone who is attending what may be his last every UK tour later this month will be in for a treat. 8/10
Ponte Del Diavolo - Fire Blades From The Tomb (Season Of Mist) [Paul Scoble]
We do love a label in the world of heavy metal. Italians Elettra Storm will no doubt get the power metal tag attached to their debut album Powerlords. It’s not a surprise, because within a minute of listening to Higher Than the stars, there is no other style that could be more apt. Fast, frantic, but with glorious melody. And with the vocals of Crystal Emillani giving the band a different dimension, it’s a shoe in.
When it comes to power metal, it’s all about the rapidity of the pace for me, and Elettra Storm don’t hold back, with thundering double bass drumming underpinning gorgeous harmonies and melodies that are present throughout. From the opening Higher Than the Stars, the bumping title track and even the more routine Heirs Of The Descent, which is one of several songs to feature duets between Emillani and guitarist Francis D. Mary, there’s a vibrancy about the band that shakes the windows. Yes, there is the symphonic edge that Emillani’s vocals bring, along with the keyboards of Sportiello, but rather than dilute the songs, they merely add layered depth, giving each song a glow and energy that is impossible to ignore.
Now, if you dislike power metal, or symphonic metal, or both, then this album won’t be for you. There’s a driving pattern that is followed for many songs, with the maniacal pace of Sacrifice Of Angels and Redemption just two examples of the speed that can be achieved. Classical elements that are liberally dispersed through Spirit Of The Moon bring an extra dimension whilst closing track Voices In The Wind make it even better. Musically, it’s as exciting as any other power metal band, and with Emillani’s soaring vocals, Powerlords is overall a rather enjoyable listen. 7/10
Grin is back with a new album, Hush, and the German duo bring their version of heavy, (mostly) sans guitar, to 16 tracks on their new album, Hush. That may seem like a lot of songs for a Grin album, and it is, but the approach here is not a much longer record, but one packed with shorter songs, with none of the 16 coming in over four minutes and a good chunk of them under three. What has not changed however is how downright heavy these two dudes are, belting us with their version on post metal/doom/psych like no one else can.
The title track starts us off with their trademarked heavy bass leading the way and the synths lending a ton of atmosphere to Grin’s version of heavy. Calice continues the post metal atmospheric feel, but bringing more of the clean vocals where the title track leans on the harsh side. This is more heavy shoegaze than anything else and I am here for it. On a song like Gatekeeper musically I am reminded of the brilliant Hum album Inlet, but this dissipates as the growl takes over the room, but it works.
If you dig Grin’s catalog and/or get pumped for an album described in the last sentence of the last paragraph, go ahead and check out Hush. This doesn’t stray too far for them but is definitely not a rehash of old ideas. Hush is a great next step for a band that has already gained a strong following and has done nothing here to not expand that fanbase even further. 8/10