Gandalf's Fist releases new album

Gandalf’s Fist
Cumbria, England
www.facebook.com/gandalfsfist
www.gandalfsfist.com


Many new bands break onto the scene claiming that there latest album is unique. But few can have as much behind such claims as Cumbria’s finest purveyors of sinister fantasy space prog-rock Gandalf’s Fist.

The band – essentially a collaboration between old friends and musical adventurers Dean Marsh and Luke Severn – may have been formed as recently as 2005, but its origins go back much further. They start, depending on your point of view, with the golden era of prog in the 1970s, the birth of English folk centuries before or, even in the time before time inhabited by Tolkein’s characters in Lord of the Rings.

However it all started, what Gandalf’s Fist have done with the release of second album ‘Road to Darkness’ is to propel the apparently old-fashioned notion of the concept album firmly into the 21st century. And for that, they should be applauded. Because in an age of digital downloads and instant gratification, ‘Road to Darkness’ reminds music lovers that the album is a format worth savouring every single groove of.

It is not just a collection of songs, but an entire symphony; a story; and even a statement of intent from two guys who insist they make music simply “for the love” of doing so. Hear hear.

‘Road to Darkness’ tells the story of a young girl transported to the alien world of Io by an evil sorcerer. It is by turns sinister, funny, inventive, scatological and brilliant. Musically, it recalls everything from Pink Floyd and King Crimson to traditional English folk song, while thematically – besides the obvious Tolkein influence – there are elements borrowed Arthur C Clarke, the Back to the Future films and even a huge nod to the creator of the Wizard Of Oz, L Frank Baum.

There is even a song – ‘Untrodden Ways’ – that pays homage to the greatest English lyricist of all, William Wordsworth.

In many ways, that homage is typical of what Gandalf’s Fist are about. They are unashamedly English, unashamedly in thrall to the rich tradition of storytelling that snakes right through from Wordsworth to the Floyd and beyond.

And musically too, they are adept. Despite having little training, Dean’s multi-instrumental skill is astounding while Luke offers a unique and beguiling vocal performance. Meanwhile, their supporting cast of musicians are never anything short of top quality.

‘Road to Darkness’ is certainly not an album for anyone who slavishly laps up Simon Cowell’s latest production line pop princesses. But for anyone who loves music to be about great storytelling, it’s essential.