Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Galahad
Label: Oskar
Release: 2015
Runtime: 93:25
Rating: 4.5/5
Neo-prog outfit Galahad celebrated their thirtieth anniversary in 2015, and one of the ways they marked it was with the double live album »Solidarity – Live in Konin«. It was recorded in the Polish city of Konin, which is no coincidence, since the Poles are among the most fired-up and loudest fans of these cult British neo-prog veterans. Galahad were in great form that night, thanks mostly to charismatic singer Stuart Nicholson, the only constant in the band since 1985, if you don’t count guitarist Roy Keyworth. The latter left the band in 1998 for just a few months and was back the following year.
Both original members still play a key role in shaping the signature Galahad sound, while keyboardist Dean Baker deserves credit for the important update of their sound in the 21st century, when they started bringing elements of electronic music and trance patterns onto their newer records, and surprisingly managed to fuse them with their punchier take on progressive rock. That made their sonic identity far more distinctive compared to similar bands. Throughout the whole live recording, the band confidently ‘strolls’ through different chapters of their career, and in places they throw in unexpected improvisational surprises, like the middle section of »Empires Never Last«, where they slip in a short jazzy interlude.
One of the highlights of this recording is without a doubt the 13-minute epic »Sleepers«, which, with its grandiose symphonic arrangements, wild time changes and metal guitar passages, might even be the most artistically accomplished piece in their career so far, and one they simply had to play if they wanted to please the loud Polish maniacs. Nicholson’s singing, on which the years practically don’t show even on stage, is outstanding throughout and deserves special praise, especially during his incredibly heartfelt performance of »This Life Could Be My Last«.
This double live package will surely thrill all neo-prog devotees, as it captures all the key chapters of Galahad’s history extremely well, and you can clearly hear their sonic evolution over the years from one track to the next. While »Painted Lady« is a showcase of raw eighties neo-prog, some of the newer pieces, especially those from the album »Empires Never Last« (2007), represent the period when Galahad began dabbling in progressive metal and their music got a lot punchier and darker. For a strong finish, Galahad play their most popular song, »Seize The Day«, which is also the perfect showcase of their modern style, interwoven with trance patterns.
»Solidarity – Live in Konin« is a must-have for every Galahad fan, a brilliant live portrait of the band and their work that gives their thirtieth anniversary the send-off it deserves. Some might miss more songs from the early days, like »Richelieu’s Prayer«, but the individual tracks are played so well that you really don’t miss that stuff from Galahad’s ‘prehistory’ at all.
Lineup
Stuart Nicholson – vocals
Roy Keyworth – guitar
Spencer Luckman – drums
Mark Spencer – bass
Dean Baker – keyboards
Production
Karl Groom
Track list
CD1
1. Salvation I – Overture
2. Salvation II – Judgement Day
3. Guardian Angel
4. Empires Never Last
5. Secret Kingdoms..
6. ..And Secret Worlds
7. Singularity
CD2
1. Beyond the Barbed Wire
2. This Life Could Be My Last
3. Sleepers
4. Guardian Angel – Reprise
5. Painted Lady
6. Seize the Day
DVD
1. Salvation I – Overture
2. Salvation II – Judgement Day
3. Guardian Angel
4. Empires Never Last
5. Secret Kingdoms..
6. ..And Secret Worlds
7. Singularity
8. Beyond the Barbed Wire
9. This Life Could Be My Last
10. Sleepers
11. Guardian Angel – Reprise
12. Painted Lady
13. Seize the Day
