THE TALE OF THE GOLDEN KING

Well it's a privilge to review THE PSYCHEDELIC ENSEMBLE's latest work called "The Tale Of The Golden King". Like their last record this is a concept album and we get lots of synths and that YES- like flavour that pops up once in a while. This is a long one at just over 72 minutes but it's a pretty cool fairy tale that takes us back in time.

"Overture-Our Great Kingdom" opens in an epic manner with lots of atmosphere and orchestration. A minute in picked guitar and flute add to the drama. Synths and drums follow as the vocals join in singing about the benevolent king and his great knigdom. Some nice guitar before 3 minutes. A change follows as it becomes more serious. They really let it rip at times the rest of the way. It blends into "The Prophecy Of The Seer-The Transformation Of The Knig" as things settle right down. Beautiful sounding acoustic instruments lead the way as vocals and harmonies follow. An interesting blend here of dramatics and tranquility. Keyboards and drums then lead as the vocals stop. Nice guitar solo too around 3 minutes in. Quite the uptempo instrumental display at times on this one. "The Golden King" opens in a melancholic manner with orchestration. A change before 2 minutes as the synths lead the way and then the vocals join in. An excellent instrumental section comes in after 4 minutes before the vocals return then more instrumental prowess as the guitar takes the lead. Lots of piano around 6 minutes as the vocals return. A change before 8 minutes as melancholic sounds end it. Good song. "Captive Days" is piano and synths mostly early on. I like the intricate and impressive drumming that joins in.

"The Queen Of Sorrow" with that acoustic guitar and instrumental sound really brings the days of knights and castles to mind. Female vocals become the focus in this melancholic tune. Gilmour-like guitar before 3 minutes then that orchestral vibe returns. Some cool atmosphere after 3 1/2 minutes as it becomes darker. The mood brightens 5 minutes in as we get an instrumental attack of sorts. Mellow with vocals again before 6 minutes. "Save Yourself" opens in a creepy manner with various sounds coming and going including voices. It picks up with male vocals before a minute. Kind of a jazzy vibe going on here. Some soaring guitar leads follow. Everything is so intricate after 4 minutes, I enjoy just listening to these guys play. Vocals are back late. "Make A Plan-Golden Swords" sounds really interesting with the atmosphere and vocals early on. A melancholic piece that is almost bluesy. Check out the instrumental display after 5 minutes as it picks up. The guitar is grinding away here. The organ then leads. "The Battle" is an excellent tune that's a little heavier with guitar front and center. What an instrumental display ! "Great Day" brings back the female vocals as we get an uplifting mood. Even the instrumental section is about celebrating. "Finale-Arise!-Great Kingdom" ends the story with the longest tune yet at close to 12 minutes. Lots of orchestration early on then the guitar comes in. It settles with vocals after 2 minutes. Again the mood is a happy one. Love the instrumental work before 4 1/2 minutes. The vocals will come and go contrasted with those uptempo instrumental outbursts.

This actually brought back memories of when I first got into Prog and really jumped into the Neo-Prog genre. Good memories. And while concept albums with orchecstration that play over 70 minutes usually don't do it for me, this recording certainly pushed some of the right buttons as I have to give it 4 stars.