BATTLE SCARS

Galahad

Neo-Prog

3.82 | 311 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

The mid-noughties should perhaps go down as a good period of Progressive rock. Trouble is, we may not have realised it at the time...

I can think of two albums where the bands concerned produced arguably their best work to date. As a result, we awaited the follow-ups with interest.

The first band is Pallas, who's 'Dreams of men' was right out the top drawer. The second was 'Empires never last', by Galahad.

Unlike Pallas, where the band's evolution could be heard, Galahad never seem to 'evolve', with each different album sounding completely different from the one before. 'Empires never last' came from nowhere!

Pallas' follow up 'XXV' ended up a flop. The band thought that they could 'rock' themselves to a success. The prog sound that they had worked so hard for was all thrown away in one over-rated and over-hyped album. Sadly, the same also seems to apply to Galahad.

I don't recognise them in 'Battle scars'. Once again, a band tries to 'rock' it's way through Neo-prog. If I want to hear a band simply rock, I can go down the pub. But I don't. I want the sophistication and mood swings that represent Prog.

So, basically it all happens too fast, and in all honesty can be barely called prog. Fast bits broken up by the all-too-necessary moody bits. Catchy, but without depth.

Having heard Galahad's earlier works, there is definitely talent in the band. Maybe each album sounds different because they struggle to find the right balance of input from band members. What exactly should Galahad sound like?

You can see that when they play live, that they like to rock, which is great. But prog is more defined by what comes out the speakers, and a deeper, more thoughtful approach may be more appropriate. Those who want rock will be satisfied. Those that wanted something deeper, probably not.

I am loathed to criticize the band, in all honesty, and I'm aware that there some very real personal issues going on whilst it was being made.

That said, this album is ultimately a disappointment. I found it uninspired and repetitive. Like many, I'd had great hopes, but sadly, they were not realised.

sussexbowler | 2/5 | 2012-4-28

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