RED QUEEN TO GRYPHON THREE

Gryphon was an English folk rock outfit created by Royal Academy Of Music graduates. Red Queen to Gryphon Three is their third release generally regarded as their best work and beloved by connoisseurs of prog rock and especially folk prog. Red Queeni s a concept telling a "story" of a chess match. This work of Gryphon (unlike their previous record Midnight Mushrumps) is entirely instrumental.

The album consists of four tracks, two for each side. "Opening Move" showcases the band members' outstanding musicianship since the very beggining. Drenched with dreamy synthesizers and loads of traditional folk instruments, this track features henomenal Chopin-influenced piano passages at one point. "Second Spasm" opens with a wonderful, medieval shanty theme, which resolves into a more rock-orientated part dominated by keyboard with a dynamic bass-line. The main theme returns exhibiting many interesting folk instrument sounds. "Lament", like its predecessors, it goes through numerous movements, which have a wide dynamic variation. "Checkmate" is probably the most "experimental" of the pieces.

The pieces give the impression of being well-thought and intricately composed throughout. Although it uses folk instrumentation, the folk influence of Gryphon's two previous works is much lower. Instead, the band's music on Red Queen To Gryphon Three owes a great deal to European art music of the middle ages and renaissance. Furthermmore, the pieces are composed in a similar fashion to classical music with themes, variations on themes, and different segments.

All in all, Red Queen to Gryphon Three belongs in every folk rock fan's collection, but is also a much needed-addition to that of a fan of a clasically-influenced symphonic rock and progressive rock in general. It is a timeless album with a distinct, unique sound that no other band had or managed to recreate. It might not be the most accessible album and not an easy one to get to, but once you do, this should provide a fantastic listening experience. Very highly recommended! A masterpiece of progressive rock music.