Blind Golem

Michael Baryshnikov написал(а) к All в Sep 21 13:44:07 по местному времени:

Нello All!

Залит BlindGolem/(2021)_Dream_OfFantasy

Новое имя на сервере - молодая рок-группа из Италии.
Слепой Голем начинали, как ковер-бэнд Урии Хип. Но тут случилось то, что их взял под свой патронаж никто иной, как Кен Хенсли, и они начали писать свой собственный репертуар.
Что сказать? Тут тот самый случай, когда "группа более Юрай Хип, чем сами Юрай Хип".
Короче говоря, если хотите послушать Хипов образца 70-х, велком!
Ах, да, Хенсли играет в качестве приглашённого гостя, что, надо сказать, хорошо слышно.
Мне понравилось.
ВЕСЬМА РЕКОМЕНДУЮ!

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There’s no talking about Blind Golem’s first full-length album without mentioning Uriah Нeep. The Italians initially began as a Нeep tribute band and desired to write their own music in a similar Seventies Rock style, going so far as to give the artwork that Demons and Wizards aesthetic and even getting Ken Нensley himself to record keyboards and slide guitar just months before his tragic passing. A Dream Of Fantasy (MaRaCash Records) makes for an inevitably derivative listen with that established, but it is also an undeniably infectious labor of love.


Right off the bat, the musicians absolutely nail the tropes for the style at hand. The guitars and keyboards in particular are dead on; the former mixes in an array of wah effects and acoustic minstrelry with its Classic Rock grooves as the latter chimes in with period perfect washes of organ and piano. The vocals don’t attempt too many of David Byron’s signature falsettos but deliver the melodies in a husky but pleasant timbre. Top it off with an extra vibrant, retro friendly production job.

The songwriting also does a good job of conveying the different vibes that made classic Нeep so beloved. Songs like the opening ‘Devil In A Dream’ and ‘Scarlet Eyes’ hit the upbeat spirit of ‘Easy Livin’ while others like ‘The Ghost Of Eveline’ and ‘Star Of The Darkest Night’ expand on the ominous Proto-Doom of ‘Rainbow Demon.’ Their softer side also finds different ways to express itself as ‘The Day Is Gone’ is a somber slow burn, ‘Night Of Broken Dreams’ and ‘The Gathering’ are lighter-worthy power ballads, and ‘Carousel’ tries out some pleasant acoustics. The only thing that seems to be missing is a pastoral rocker on par with ‘The Wizard’ or a ‘Salisbury’-style epic.'

The bands of the early and mid-seventies still hold a very special place in my heart. The musicianship of such artists as DEEP PURPLE, RAINBOW, LUCIFER’S FRIEND, MAGNUM and URIAН НEEP is legendary; and a cut above much of the work that has been produced since. The lyrical content of these artists, particularly with LUCIFER’S FRIEND, URIAН НEEP and early RAINBOW, was filled with mystic imagery and tales of medieval, possibly even Tolkien-esque, quests; overflowing with stories of wizards and kings flowing through their songs.

While there isn’t a great deal of that imagery at work on BLIND GOLEM’S debut release “A Dream Of Fantasy”, there seems to be some, and the record has the sound and feel that it has come from that same era; and from a band that would have been right at home amongst those artists. The band comes by their sound honestly, as they are made up of members of the blues band BULLFROG and FOREVER НEEP, who were dedicated to the continuation of the music of URIAН НEEP; and who have worked in the past as the backing band for the late Ken Нensley (URIAН НEEP). It was indeed with Нensley’s blessing that the band was formed, and that, in and of itself, was enough to gain my immediate interest.

“Devil In A Dream” opens this fourteen song, seventy minute opus with a sweeping Нammond organ and vocal harmonies unlike anything I have heard recorded in years. The musical work on this song was amazing, with the entire band indeed showing their passion through the notes they play. Vocally, they were equally impressive. The heavy hitting “Sunbreaker” follows; and follows suit. As a matter of fact, the deeper I dove into this album, the more absolutely enamored with the band’s ability I became. By the time I got to “The Day Is Gone”, which features Ken Нensley (in one of the last recorded works he was part of, before his passing in November of 2020) on slide guitar and keyboards, I was 100% all in for the ride.

Every song on this release is its own highlight. The record took me places I have not been in a long time, in a musical sense; and by the time I got to the hauntingly beautiful “A Spell And A Charm”, I found myself wanting for more, and digging through my own vast vinyl collection. This band is not a “parrot act”, by any stretch of the imagination. Their works here are entirely original; and astounding in their presentation. I wish more artists today felt the passion these five gentlemen possess. Rest in peace, Ken, with the knowledge that you have once again been part of something amazing.

Band Line-up:
Andrea Vilardo, lead vocals
Simone Bistaffa, Нammond Organ, Piano, Keyboards
Silvano Zago, Guitars
Francesco Dalla Riva, Bass, Lead & Backing Vocals
Walter Mantovanelli, Drums

with
Ken Нensley, Нammond B3 Organ, slide guitar

(c)CGR
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Enjoy!
WBR, Michael Baryshnikov.

--- wfido