Passion (Remaster)

"Mikael Åkerfeldt, mastermind of Swedish band Opeth, has recorded the original score for the new Netflix series Clark, directed by renowned film-maker Jonas Åkerlund. Clark is the incredible story behind Sweden’s most notorious gangster Clark Olofsson, whose infamous crimes gave rise to the term “Stockholm syndrome.” The score for this 6-part series will be released as a Standard CD Jewelcase & Gatefold 180g 2LP vinyl via InsideOutMusic."

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the release of their self-titled debut album, this 32-disc super deluxe boxed set is the definitive tribute to the legendary band Camel. The boxed features newly remastered versions of every Camel album and single issued between 1973 and 1984,  but also includes new stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound versions of the albums “Camel”, “Mirage”, “Music Inspired by The Snow Goose”, “Moonmadness” and “Nude”, as well as new mixes of three concerts; The Marquee Club, London 1974, Hammersmith Odeon 1976 and Hammersmith Odeon 1977 The set also features previously unreleased out-takes from album recording sessions and BBC Radio “In Concert” appearances from 1974, 1975, 1977 and 1981. Additionally included is a Blu ray video disc of promotional videos and BBC TV appearances on “The Old Grey Whistle Test” and “Sight and Sound In Concert” and a Blu ray video disc of the 1984 concert film “Pressure Points”The boxed set includes a lavishly illustrated book with essay and a poster.CD ONE “Camel” – Remastered (Released as MCA Records MUPS 473 in 1973)Slow Yourself DownMystic QueenSix AteSeperationNever Let GoCuriosityArubalubaSarah (previously unreleased) - Bonus trackNever Let Go (single version) - Bonus trackHomage to the God of Light (live) (from "Greasy Truckers - Live at Dingwalls Dance Hall") - Bonus trackCD TWO “Mirage” – Remastered (Released as Deram SML 1107 in 1974)FreefallSupertwisterNimrodel / The Procession / The White RiderEarthriseLady FantasyEarthrise (Bonus tracks: Demo session - Decca Studios 15th July 1973 (Previously unreleased))The Traveller (Bonus tracks: Demo session - Decca Studios 15th July 1973 (Previously unreleased))Supertwister (Bonus tracks: Demo session - Decca Studios 15th July 1973 (Previously unreleased))The White Rider (Bonus tracks: Demo session - Decca Studios 15th July 1973 (Previously unreleased))Lady Fantasy (Bonus tracks: Demo session - Decca Studios 15th July 1973 (Previously unreleased))CD THREE “Mirage” sessionsLady Fantasy (Basing Street studios original mix)Autumn (previously unreleased)Nimrodel / The Procession / The White Rider (BBC Radio One "In Concert" - 6th June 1974) - Bonus trackLigging at Louis' (BBC Radio One "In Concert" - 6th June 1974) - Bonus trackLady Fantasy (BBC Radio One "In Concert" - 6th June 1974) - Bonus trackArubaluba (BBC Radio One "In Concert" - 6th June 1974) - Bonus trackCD FOUR Live at The Marquee Club - 30th June 1974 (Newly mixed in full by Stephen W. Tayler)IntroductionEarthriseNimrodelSix AteSupertwisterMystic QueenArubalubaCD FIVE Live at The Marquee Club - 30th June 1974 (Newly mixed in full by Stephen W. Tayler)Rhayader Goes to TownThe Snow Goose / FreefallLady FantasyHomage to the God of LightCD SIX “Music Inspired by The Snow Goose” – Remastered (Released as Decca SKL-R 5207 in May 1975)The Great MarshRhayderRhayder Goes to TownSanctuaryFrithaThe Snow GooseFriendshipMigrationRhayder AloneFlight of the Snow GoosePreparationDunkirkEpitaphFritha AloneLa Princesse PerdueThe Great MarshFlight of the Snow Goose (single version) - Bonus trackRhayder (single version) - Bonus trackCD SEVEN “Snow Goose” sessions - Recorded and mixed at Decca Studios, Broadhurst Gardens 7th June 1974RivermanRhayder Goes to Town (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)Sanctuary (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)The Snow Goose (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)Migration (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)Rhayder Alone (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)Flight of the Snow Goose (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)Preparation (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)Dunkirk (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)Epitaph (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)La Princesse Perdue (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)The Great Marsh (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)Selections from "The Snow Goose" (BBC TV Old Grey Whistle Test – 21st June 1975) a. The Snow Goose / b. Friendship / c. Rhayader Goes to TownCD EIGHT “Live at The Royal Albert Hall - 17th October 1975” – Remastered & mixed with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by David BedfordIntroduction by Peter BardensThe Great MarshRhayderRhayder Goes to TownSanctuaryFrithaThe Snow GooseFriendshipMigrationRhayder AloneFlight of the Snow GoosePreparationDunkirkEpitaphFritha AloneLa Princesse PerdueThe Great MarshEncore: Lady Fantasy (previously unreleased)CD NINE “Moonmadness” – Remastered (Released as Decca TXS-R 115 in 1976)AristillusSong Within a SongChord ChangeSpirit of the WaterAnother NightAir BornLunar SeaSprit of the Water (demo) - Bonus trackChord Change (demo) (previously unreleased) - Bonus trackLunar Sea (demo) (previously unreleased) - Bonus trackAnother Night (single version) - Bonus trackCD TEN Live at Hammersmith Odeon - 14th April 1976 – (Newly mixed in full by Stephen W. Tayler)AristillusSong Within a SongThe Great MarshRhayaderRhayader Goes to TownAir BornChord ChangeThe White RiderCD ELEVEN Live at Hammersmith Odeon - 14th April 1976 (Newly mixed in full by Stephen W. Tayler)Lunar SeaPreparationDunkirkAnother NightLady FantasyCD TWELVE “Rain Dances” (Released as Decca TXS-R 124 in 1977)First LightMetrognomeTell MeHighways of the SunUnevensongOne of These Days I'll Get An Early NightElkeSkylinesRain DancesHighways of the Sun (single version) - Bonus trackFirst Light (live at the Colston Hall, Bristol 2nd October 1977) - Bonus trackMetrognome (live at the Colston Hall, Bristol 2nd October 1977) - Bonus trackUnevensong (live at the Colston Hall, Bristol 2nd October 1977) - Bonus trackSkylines (live at Leeds University 3rd October 1977) - Bonus trackLunar Sea (live at the Colston Hall, Bristol 2nd October 1977) - Bonus trackRaindances (live at the Colston Hall, Bristol 2nd October 1977) - Bonus trackCD THIRTEEN: “Raindances live”Never Let Go (live at the Colston Hall, Bristol 2nd October 1977)First Light (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)Metrognome (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)Unevensong (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)Rhayader / Rhayader Goes to Town (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)Skylines (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)Highways of the Sun (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)Lunar Sea (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)Rain Dances (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)Never Let Go (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)One of These Days I'll Get an Early Night (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)CD FOURTEEN: Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 30th September / 1st October 1977 (Newly mixed in full by Stephen W. Tayler)First LightMetrognomeUnevensongRhayaderRhayader Goes to TownPreparationDunkirkSanctuaryThe Snow GooseCD FIFTEEN: Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 30th September / 1st October 1977 (Newly mixed in full by Stephen W. TaylerTell MeSong Within a SongSkylinesHighway to the SunLunar SeaRain DancesOne of These Days I'll Get an Early NightCD SIXTEEN: “Breathless” (Released as Decca TXS-R 132 in 1978)BreathlessEchoesWing and a PrayerDown on the FarmStarlight RideSummer LightningYou Make Me SmileThe SleeperRainbow's EndRainbow's End (single version) - Bonus trackCD SEVENTEEN “I Can See Your House from Here” (Released as Decca TXS-R 137 in 1979)WaitYour Love is Stranger Than MineEye of the StormWho We AreSurvivalHymn to HerNeon MagicRemote RomanceIceRemote Romance (single version) - Bonus trackCD EIGHTEEN “Nude” – Released as Decca SKL 5323 in 1981City LifeNudeDraftedDocksBeachedLandscapesChanging PlacesPomp and CircumstancePlease Come HomeReflectionsCapturedThe HomecomingLiesThe Birthday Cake (The Last Farewell)Nude's Return (The Last Farewell)Captured (first version) (previously unreleased) - Bonus trackCD NINETEEN BBC Radio One In Concert - Hammersmith Odeon 27th February 1981 First broadcast 2nd May 1981Never Let GoSong Within a SongLunar SeaSummer LightningIceCity LifeDraftedDocksBeachedLandscapesChanging PlacesReflectionsCapturedThe Birthday Cake (The Last Farewell)Nude's Return (The Last Farewell)CD TWENTY “The Single Factor” – (Released as Decca SKL 5328 in 1982)No Easy AnswerYou Are the OneHeroesSelvaLullabyeSasquatchManicCamelogueToday's GoodbyeA Heart's DesireEnd PieceYou Are the One (promotional 12-inch single version) - Bonus trackCD TWENTY-ONE “Stationary Traveller” – (Released as Decca SKL 5334 in 1984)Pressure PointsRefugeeVoposCloak and Dagger ManStationary TravellerWest BerlinFingertipsMissingAfter WordsLong GoodbyesIn the Arms of Waltzing Fraulines - Bonus trackPressure Points (12-inch single extended version) - Bonus trackCD TWENTY-TWO “Pressure Points” Live at Hammersmith Odeon 11 May 1984Pressure PointsDraftedCapturedLiesRefugeeVoposStationary TravellerWest BerlinFingertipsCD TWENTY-THREE “Pressure Points” Live at Hammersmith Odeon 11 May 1984SasquatchWaitCloak and Dagger ManLong GoodbyesRhayaderRhayader Goes to TownLady FantasyCD TWENTY-FOUR “Camel” and "Mirage" New Stereo Mix by Stephen W TaylerSlow Yourself DownMystic QueenSix AteSeperationNever Let GoCuriosityArubalubaFreefallSupertwisterNimrodel / The Procession / The White RiderEarthriseLady FantasyCD TWENTY-FIVE “Music inspired by The Snow Goose” New Stereo Mix by Stephen W TaylerThe Great MarshRhayderRhayder Goes to TownSanctuaryFrithaThe Snow GooseFriendshipMigrationRhayder AloneFlight of the Snow GoosePreparationDunkirkEpitaphFritha AloneLa Princesse PerdueThe Great MarshCD TWENTY-SIX “Moonmadness” New Stereo Mix by Stephen W TaylerAristillusSong Within a SongChord ChangeSpirit of the WaterAnother NightAir BornLunar SeaCD TWENTY-SEVEN “Nude” New Stereo Mix by Stephen W TaylerCity LifeNudeDraftedDocksBeachedLandscapesChanging PlacesPomp and CircumstancePlease Come HomeReflectionsCapturedThe HomecomingLiesThe Birthday Cake (The Last Farewell)Nude's Return (The Last Farewell)DISC TWENTY-EIGHT (Blu-ray) “Camel” & "Mirage" High Resolution 5.1 Surround Sound & Stereo Mixes by Stephen W Tayler / High resolution original stereo mixSlow Yourself DownMystic QueenSix AteSeperationNever Let GoCuriosityArubalubaFreefallSupertwisterNimrodel / The Procession / The White RiderEarthriseLady FantasyAutumn - Bonus trackDISC TWENTY-NINE (Blu-ray): “Music inspired by The Snow Goose” & “Moonmadness” High Resolution 5.1 Surround Sound & Stereo Mixes by Stephen W Tayler / High resolution original stereo mixThe Great MarshRhayderRhayder Goes to TownSanctuaryFrithaThe Snow GooseFriendshipMigrationRhayder AloneFlight of the Snow GoosePreparationDunkirkEpitaphFritha AloneLa Princesse PerdueThe Great MarshRiverman - Bonus trackAristillusSong Within a SongChord ChangeSpirit of the WaterAnother NightAir BornLunar SeaDISC THIRTY (Blu-ray): “Nude” High Resolution 5.1 Surround Sound & Stereo Mixes by Stephen W Tayler / High resolution original stereo mixCity LifeNudeDraftedDocksBeachedLandscapesChanging PlacesPomp and CircumstancePlease Come HomeReflectionsCapturedThe HomecomingLiesThe Birthday Cake (The Last Farewell)Nude's Return (The Last Farewell)DISC THIRTY-ONE (Blu-ray): “The Video Vaults”Never Let GoArubalubaSelections from "The Snow Goose" a. The Snow Goose / b. Friendship / c. Rhayader Goes to Town (Guildford Civic Hall 1973 – MCA Promo film shown on “The Old Grey Whistle Test”)The White Rider (BBC TV – The Old Grey Whistle Test – 21st June 1975)Lunar Sea (BBC TV – The Old Grey Whistle Test – 21st June 1975)Preparation (BBC TV – The Old Grey Whistle Test – 21st June 1975)Dunkirk (BBC TV – The Old Grey Whistle Test – 21st June 1975)Another Night (BBC TV – The Old Grey Whistle Test – 21st June 1975)Lady Fantasy (BBC TV – The Old Grey Whistle Test – 21st June 1975)First Light (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)Metrognome (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)Unevensong (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)Rhayader / Rhayader Goes to Town (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)Skylines (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)Highways of the Sun (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)Lunar Sea (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)Rain Dances (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)Never Let Go (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)One of These Days I'll Get an Early Night (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)City Life (BBC TV – “Sight & Sound in Concert – 29th September 1977”)Lies (BBC TV – “Sight & Sound in Concert – 29th September 1977”)DISC THIRTY-TWO “Pressure Points”In the Arms of Waltzing FraulinesPressure PointsRefugeeVoposStationary TravellerWest BerlinFingertipsSasquatchWaitCloak and Dagger ManLong GoodbyesRhayaderRhayader Goes to TownLady FantasyIn the Arms of Waltzing Fraulines

After an exceptionally long year full of personal change and near manic levels of creative activity, Canadian musician Devin Townsend releases his follow up to 2019’s acclaimed ‘Empath’ album. Assembled from a barrage of material written during the pandemic ‘Lightwork’ represents a new level, and has ended up being one of the most accessible, yet ambitious releases of his storied career. A project that has been on Devin’s mind since he was a teen, (and flirted with throughout his career) is a more melodic and direct album with a great producer to help guide the work. Enter Garth Richardson: A Vancouver based producer with a long resume and a friend of Devin’s for many years. And the goal? To provide something beautiful, cathartic, powerful and clear. A sense of optimism and power through what can be commonly known as a ‘depressing period’. It’s about strength, love, acceptance, fear, and overcoming together. Guests on the record include friends and stalwarts from his past (Anneke Van Giersbergen, Ché Aimee Dorval, Morgan Agren, Mike Keneally, Steve Vai, Elektra Women’s Choir) as well as some newer friends and faces (Darby Todd, Diego Tejeida, Nathan Navarro, Federico Paulovich, Jonas Hellborg), and also, in a rather hard to believe turn of events, legend producer and guitar player Nile Rodger plays on the track ‘HoneyBunch’.

"Mikael Åkerfeldt, mastermind of Swedish band Opeth, has recorded the original score for the new Netflix series Clark, directed by renowned film-maker Jonas Åkerlund. Clark is the incredible story behind Sweden’s most notorious gangster Clark Olofsson, whose infamous crimes gave rise to the term “Stockholm syndrome.” The score for this 6-part series will be released as a Standard CD Jewelcase & Gatefold 180g 2LP vinyl via InsideOutMusic."

Ten years since the band first formed, 2017 will see Haken’s first two albums, ‘Aquarius’ & ‘Visions’, reissued through InsideOutMusic after being unavailable for a lengthy period of time. Remastered by the renowned Jens Bogren (Devin Townsend Project, Between The Buried & Me), who worked with the band on their last two studio albums ‘Affinity’ & ‘The Mountain’, this reissue sees the albums brought up to the sonic quality of their most recent output.Originally released back in 2010, the band’s debut album ‘Aquarius’ capitalised on 3 years of work from the band which saw them staking their claim as one of the most exciting new progressive metal bands, playing with the likes of King’s X, Riverside & Bigelf. A 72-minute concept record that touched on themes of global warming, this album has long held a place in their fans’ hearts & the lengthy 17-minute closing track ‘Celestial Elixir’ remains in their set lists now.Arriving just a year on from their debut, ‘Visions’ cemented the bands reputation as one of the most solid progressive metal bands of recent years, bringing them to the US on tour for the very first time in 2011. Another detailed concept album conjured in part from a dream that vocalist Ross Jennings experienced, ‘Visions’ captured the imaginations of both fans and critics alike. Haken have also announced that they will be revisiting the album in full, live at Prog Power USA in September 2017. 

"“Mirror your World through my Touch…Set me Free, oh Set me Free”These words, from the song Colours on Magenta’s new We Are Legend album, are about Vincent Van Gogh, but they could also describe the feelings engendered by this imaginative and impressive release from the premier Welsh Progressive Rock band. We Are Legend underlines Magenta’s outstanding musical credentials, but they have far more than just great technique, imbuing their songs with melodies to stir the soul and stories to fascinate the mind.In a recent interview with Peter Jones on his Progzilla Radio show, Tales from the Tiger Moth, Magenta main-man Rob Reed revealed that he wanted this Magenta album to be “different”. Since their last album, The Twenty Seven Club in 2013, Magenta have overcome some issues, including illness, but Reed revealed that he had struggled in writing a new Magenta album after the peaks he felt they had achieved. As a result he channelled himself into his own excellent Mike Oldfield inspired solo Sanctuary projects and helping Christina Booth complete her fine emotional solo album The Light. The results of this break have clearly refreshed Reed as We Are Legend projects Magenta into a new trajectory, fizzing with energy and creativity.Magenta have never made compromises in their music, ever since Rob Reed decided to stop trying to pursue mainstream success and produce exactly what he wanted to – a truly epic and distinctly ‘uncool’ double debut album Revolutions in 2001 shamelessly referencing his 1970s Prog heroes, Genesis and Yes in particular. Magenta went on to develop their own distinctive sound built around the trademark triad of the pyrotechnics of Chris Fry on electric guitars, Christina Booth’s pure, luminescent vocals and Rob Reed’s mastery of the Piano, Hammond and Moog. However, when considering the new album Reed initially felt restricted by that template and felt he did not want to re-tread old ground. Therefore, he decided to channel what he felt was ‘negativity and angst’ about the direction of the next album, similar to his frustrations prior to Revolutions, and decided to “make a record for me – I will use whatever I want on it”, leading to an album which includes distinctly ‘un-Magenta’ elements such as drum loops, sequencers, dashes of dance music rhythms and heavy guitars as Reed and the band stretch their boundaries. But long-term Magenta fans should have no fear, they are still recognisably Magenta, but noticeably reinvigorated with energy, sounds and an edge, showing a band that does not compromise and wants to move on in terms of its expression and imagination.In a break from previous albums, there is no overall ‘concept’ around this release. Magenta have chosen to present three distinct songs with separate narratives and atmospheres, but there is a cohesive feel to the whole album. In a throw back to vinyl days there is one epic ‘side long’ track and two shorter songs (both in the region of ten minutes) echoing the layout of classic Yes albums Close to the Edge and Relayer, but let’s be clear, Magenta are no ‘Prog by numbers’ clones and have produced a remarkable and vibrant progressive rock album.The epic opening track, Trojan, starts atmospherically with synths which then explode with squealing guitars over a juggernaut of bass and drums, immediately evoking a sense of science fiction. Steve Reed, lyricist and Rob’s older brother, has shared that the theme of this piece was initially suggested by the opening few minutes of the music alone, presented to him by Rob, the musical ideas helping to inspire Steve’s lyrics towards a peculiar yet interesting sci-fi story. In short, huge robots emerge from the sea and initially appear to be benign, but ultimately act as ‘Trojan horses’ to take over the world for a long forgotten and banished human species that took to living beneath the seas and have now returned to reclaim the Earth!If you think that’s bonkers then wait until you’ve heard the music which sounds like some sort of spectacular soundtrack for a Japanese Manga or Studio Ghibli cartoon. This is pulsating music. sweeping across the narrative in a range of distinct parts. Rob Reed revealed that he was influenced by Marillion’s Misplaced Childhood suite, which has the reputation for being epic in length, but is a series of linked songs. Similarly in structure but not in style, Trojan is a series of song sections over 26 minutes ‘sewn together’ (as Reed puts it), although you can hardly see the joins, such is the skill of Reed and the band.Following the opening cinematic section, Chris Fry kicks in with a heavy guitar riff and Christina Booth, over shimmering dance inflected keyboards, chants the early panic of those on land confronted with the slow, emphatic progress of these strange new conquering robots. The atmosphere changes to the gentler perspective of a little girl in Japan who thinks of the robot as a ‘Tin Man’, with imagery akin to Ted Hughes’ Iron Giant. Booth shows great vocal versatility as she switches from the softer vision of the small girl to more dramatic parts of the narrative as the story develops. The music flows descriptively – you can visualise the slow, inexorable march of the robots as Magenta interweave sinuous dance inflected keyboards, reminiscent of Faithless, with passages of fluid, dreamy blues tinged guitar at some points. Pastoral guitars underpin a peaceful passage with Booth’s soft vocals before distorted guitar breaks in, possibly to indicate that the ‘paradise’ of ease brought by the robots will be ultimately destroyed.I hope you’re keeping up!!!Don’t worry, Magenta’s imaginative music carries you along and you may not always understand (or even care!) exactly what is happening as you dive into the rich multi-layered elements that make up the epic sound and story. Steve Reed has always sought to look at subjects from unorthodox and differing perspectives, such as the ‘glutton for punishment’ angle of the classic Gluttony from Seven. Similarly, in Trojan he seemingly shifts from the fate of the land civilisation to the perspective of the long exiled species of undersea dwellers held within the Trojan Robots, looking forward to hopefully reclaiming their world. A beautiful acoustic guitar led section of hope emerges with Christina singing beautifully;“The light it fades, When you all will sleepWith love to share, Anger drifts awayAs the hurting stops, With the time to findPaths to tread in this world…I see the need inside your soulThe love that’s in your heart.”Such poetic and touching lines perfectly match the emotive music as Fry’s languid guitar flows along before ascending into a brief transcendent solo, characteristic of his more restrained performance throughout the album. It’s remarkable that amidst this science fiction complexity they can skilfully insert a song of such delicacy and feeling, underlining that for Magenta the priority is always melody and emotion, not the sterility of mere technique without feeling. Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Griffiths shows his versatile and subtle percussive skills alongside Fry’s eerie, expressive guitar as the piece sinisterly shifts towards the treachery of the robots as they turn against the land dwellers. The whole composition comes full circle as the dramatic robotic fanfare from the intro re-emerges with soaring guitars over pulsing synths and as one civilisation falls another rises from within the Trojan robots with hope:“At the break of day, As the silence roarsAnd the dust it falls, Open up the doorsWhen we’re stepping out, Walk into the light, Man’s re-birth.”Both musically and through the narrative, the opening track is quite a ride! Definitely a piece that, like most great tracks, pays repeated listenings with a strange story that reveals itself more over time.Legend is another imagined narrative song with a post-apocalyptic sci-fi feel, partly inspired by the films Omega Man and I am Legend, and the intro certainly sounds cinematic as weird sounds throb and pulse before a crunching combination of drums, bass and guitar puts us firmly in the stark post-apocalyptic setting. Dan Nelson, long time live bassist, has now fully joined the band and with new member Griffiths’ fine rhythmic work on drums they underpin this album with precision and power, particularly on the leviathan that is Legend. Christina Booth sings powerfully as this driving song describes the fate of one of the last men on Earth, before Reed’s synths and Fry’s weird distorted guitars intertwine in a nightmare musical depiction of the vampiric state into which humanity descends. A strange but captivating song, it concludes almost elegiacally with the last human trying to hang on to the final vestiges of his humanity as the vampires hunt down the weak and vulnerable, even amongst themselves. Perhaps it’s a comment on the self-consuming and self-destructive nature of much of our society… or just a dramatic but depressing story about zombies and vampires!! Who knows, but the journey is compelling.Colours is another remarkable song about the tortured and tragic soul of an artist. It starts with a beguiling musical box intro before erupting into an intense passage with staccato and textured sounds underlying Booth’s manic vocals. The evocative and multi-layered music conveys images of the artist, on the edge of sanity, passionately and frantically applying his paint to the canvas. Apparently Rob Reed presented the music to lyricist Steve by simply saying “It’s about Van Gogh”, but he had no words, making it remarkable that Rob was able to so fully evoke the musical images of a complex and tortured individual obsessively daubing paint onto canvas to try and express his innermost thoughts and feelings. Flute-like melodies move through to subtle blues inflected guitar, a short fluid Hammond Organ passage followed by a soaring guitar vignette by Fry, with Nelson in fine form, constantly changing the colours of Magenta’s musical palette. Van Gogh perceived everything in swirling vibrant colours, mirrored by the music as the impetus picks up with insistent synthesiser, orchestral keyboards and driving guitars, Steve Reed adding one of his best lyrics to reflect the power of the music and convey the artist’s sad decline in a maelstrom of creativity which he cannot sustain. The music and lyrics combine so well in this remarkable offering, building darkly to an intense finale with Rob Reed excelling, culminating in intensely sung and chilling lines:“Save me, love me, Gun in your hand and I’m waiting to dieSky bright, sun shineField like the sea, I’m wanting the endDarkness, silence, Near to the end TheoPlease set me free, set me free.”The ending is rather enigmatic, but there is a suggestion that Van Gogh’s brother Theo shoots him to put an end to his suffering in an act of mercy. Whether fact or not, it is certainly an evocative and emotive song which displays the combined talents of Magenta. A real showcase for the band, particularly Booth, as the song builds to its dramatic ending, it has already become rather a live favourite, no wonder as it combines the music and lyrics so well.In We are Legend Magenta have created one of the best albums of their career by daring to stretch and express themselves with great integrity and dazzling imagination. This will be regarded as one of THE progressive rock albums of 2017 – Magenta have definitely added to their own ‘Legend’." - The Progressive Aspect