IN THE REALM OF ASGÆRD

Short-lived British band, formed at the dawn of the 70's by already experienced musicians of the Psychedelic Rock scene.Guitarist/singer Rodney Harrison had been playing with Bulldog Breed next to future T2's leading man Keith Cross, while singer James Smith and drummer Ian Snow played together in Stonehouse.The line-up was completed with a second vocalist, Ted Bartlett, along with Dave Cook on bass and Peter Orgil on violin.Among the very first signings of The Moody Blues Threshold label, they recorded their debut ''In the Realm of Asgard'' partly at Decca Studios and partly at Threshold Studios and the album was released in 1972.

The Threshold label was not the only connection of Asgard with THE MOODY BLUES, because their music contained also strong hints from the style of the British Art/Psych Rock veterans, having evident and outdated psychedelic influences, while the presence of Orgil on violin either connects with the string orchestral and deeply romantic side of THE MOODY BLUES or bursts a weird combination of Folk and Classical influence akin to EAST OF EDEN.The music in general alternated between 60's-influenced Psychedelic Rock with melodic vocals and soft arrangements and harder parts with some impressive in-your-face guitar lines, strong soloing and more bombastic passages.Apparently the album was lyrically inspired by Tolkien's ''The lord of the rings'' in another album listed in the countless catalog of Tolkien-inspired works.Dual vocal lines and some nice orchestral segments combined with the pure power of electric guitars are often in the forefront, but the album rarely escapes from this basic matrix.

As aforementioned, Asgard were short-lived and it seems that they disbanded after the album.Reputedly Harrison had done some sessions with The Moody Blues, but it appears he never became an official part of the band.

Energetic Psych Rock with some progressive touches, destinated for fans of early-70's Proto-Prog stylings.Half about of the tracks are very good, but do not expect a killer release.Either way, this is a recommended obscurity.