THE CLOCKWORK PROLOGUE

Well well well... it took me a few months to finally find the time to listen to this one, and its successor "The Clockwork Fable" (which was released three years ago) in a row. What the lads (and the lass) do here is going the full Star Wars way - First, the Main "Movies", then the Prequels (although they state it's not a prequel) and finally (hopefully?) the final (well, album it would be in this case, but I doubt they'd be able to continue the story after everybody left Cogtopolis)...

Anyway... I think listening in release order works really well, because this way you remember all the little hints and cues they drop in the Fable, which are almost all picked up in the Prologue, so you have many "aha!" moments during the Prologue, thinking "Now THAT'S what they were referring to..." - this album really makes you want to listen to the Fable afterwards. Brilliantly done by the band.

We again meet some familiar voices (they used most of the actors present in the Fable) and also some new characters - the tradesman at the Cartoe market is the most lovely one - so hilarious... as is the whole story (once more).

Since The Clockwork Fable, Gandalf's Fist has recruited Keri Farish (Vocals) and Ben Bell (Keyboards, from Patchwork Cacophony and Broken Parachute), and boy, do they shine on this album... Keri gives me goosebumps during what I would call her "showcase" song, The Clokkemaker, while Ben and Dean (Marsh, Guitar/Vocals) have a fantastic guitar/Hammond duel during "Blackening" - very much in a Blackmore/Lord vibe. Seriously, this band is just at the start of something huge in my eyes.

I've learned they also play live occasionally, and I really try to get to one of their gigs next time. This album truly makes you want to watch them play live!

5 Stars, no less!