EMPIRES NEVER LAST

I dunno is it accident or not but for sure I knew the name of this band for the first time from my colleague neoprog Bowo Neo who has adored neo prog side of prog rock since his love with Marillion (Fish era, of course!). By the time I knew the band name I was not challenging him on whether the band is originating from GBR or other country like Germany. It does not matter at all because finally I knew this excellent album by Galahad which indeed a GBR band. The first time I listened to this album, it blew me away at first spin. I checked the reviews on the net and I found many praises for this latest album by veteran prog band who has been in prog industry since 1985! No wonder that finally they could perfect their composition as excellent as this album.

Through this album Galahad invited the contribution of Karl Groom, guitarist of Threshold. No wonder that this album has some flavor of progressive metal especially in the use of riffs. Karl is also credited with co-production and engineering and the overall sound of the album.

The album kicks-off wonderfully with an angelic a cappella Part 1 of "De-Fi-Ance" performed by Tina Groom, Sarah Quilter and Tina Booth (used to be with Magenta). This serves as a wonderful overture that sets the tone of the overall album beautifully. It moves in great mood to the screaming male vocal which remarks the intro of Part 2 of "De-Fi-Ance". I can imagine if this track is performed live it must be a great opening especially the music blast that follows the creaming vocal saying "De-Fi-Ance!!!!" which comprises like an opening of death metal music. What happen is then the follow-up music which comprises heavy riffs by bass guitar overlain beautifully by a long sustain keyboard work. Oh my God! I love this segment very much. When it reaches minute 2:33 I like the guitar solo part in neo prog mood. Well, my friend. this is it! This is the kind of neo prog music that I have expected and dreamt of so far.!! It reminds me to PALLAS music of their album "The Dreams of Men" and also "The Cross and The Crucible" . I cannot believe that I finally I find the music that I have been dreaming so far. This is really great!

It then moves seamlessly to the next track "Termination" (7:14) with excellent singing style, moves along smoothly with the music and sometimes the style of singing is in distant voice that makes it a good combination. The rhythm section comprises soft guitar riffs that remind me to progressive metal but it's combined nicely with touchy melody. In the middle of the track there is a simple piano touch in break mode followed later by augmentation of guitar. The back ground music is symphonic as indicated by long sustain keyboard work.

"I Could Be God" is a relatively long track (13:58) with multiple styles starting with a great keyboard effects followed by dynamic drumming and heavy guitar riffs. It's really an excellent opening. "I could be God.. I could be the devil." the vocal enters nicely while the keyboard still producing nice repeated notes at background. At 1:55 the music changes suddenly into another style while it then returns back to the original style. At 5:12, after the high tone music, it suddenly turns into silent break with ambient keyboard work in spacey nuance. The vocal line enters beautifully in mellow style with no drumming, only keyboard at background. I enjoy this part, really! Especially when there is a male narration. It's really COOL man! At 9:10 the music moves in high tone with long sustain keyboard solo which creates great nuance. Especially the drumming is providing great accentuation for the beat.

The remaining tracks are all excellent tracks with "Sidewinder" (11:00), "Memories From An African Twin" (4:02), "Empires Never Last" (9:05), and "This Life Could Be My Last" (10:23). The compositions are really tight. The last track is a simple one with mellow style but it has nice melody.

Overall, I am so happy enjoying this last album by Galahad and I urge those of you who love Early Marillion, Pallas, IQ MUST own this wonderfully crafted album. The cd sonic quality production is also excellent. I have no major complaint with this album and I rate this album very close to masterpiece, or 4.75 of 5 stars. Again, MARILLION (this era of Marillion with Hogarth) should have learnt from GALAHAD on how to make a great neo prog album, and not moving into a direction-less music like their latest "Somewhere Else" which is going nowhere.Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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