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Hometown: Cumbria, ENGLA, UK
Website: www.gandalfsfist.com
Sounds Like: Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, Ayreon
Genre: Rock
Formed at a nightclub in 2005 when a mutual friend invented a silly band name to try and impress a geeky girl, Gandalf’s Fist was formed as the creative collaboration between multi-instrumentalist Dean Marsh and lyricist/vocalist Luke Severn.
Meeting at University and becoming good friends, drinking partners and pub-quiz teammates, the duo spent the subsequent two years releasing experimental instrumental tracks, however, the origins of their music 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 Tolkien’s fantastical characters
... And what would Tolkien say about all this? With a pint of Mead in hand, one might suggest he would say; “Hell Yes!” And proceed to rock his socks off!
Gandalf's Fist draw on their mutual love for classic rock bands such as Pink Floyd, The Who, and even the likes of Iron Maiden. Early on, the band became increasingly captivated by bands in the resurgent neo-prog scene such as Porcupine Tree, they were inspired to try and forge their own musical identity, creating music that, whilst not appealing to the masses, (and certainly not their neighbours) was the kind of music that they, themselves, wanted to hear.
After successful releases of the LPs "Road to Darkness" and "From a Point of Existence", winning widespread acclaim for their mix of Neo-Prog, Folk and Hard Rock, Gandalf's Fist released their space-rock opus:‘ A Day in the Life of a Universal Wanderer’.
The record, seemingly transmitted from a derelict space station in the far reaches of the galaxy using instruments salvaged, is a cosmic jam across space and time exploring a mythical figure from the 26th Century – ‘The Universal Wanderer’ - who’s legend tells of a figure who has wandered the cosmos from the birth of existence to the end of time.
Even when caught out of time and stranded beyond the borders of a decaying Black Hole, you can still expect Gandalf’s Fist to deliver the goods with their unique brand of Medieval Folk Rock! Tracks such as the epic doom-laden jazz of “The Nine Billion Names of God” fit perfectly alongside the anthemic choruses of “Stowaway to the Mushroom Planet” and the renaissance-whimsy of “The Battle for Tannhäuser Gate”, creating one of the most engaging albums to be recorded from the far side of the solar system.
Following the widespread recognition the record received from national publcations such as Classic Rock, Prog, Fireworks and Powerplay magazines, as well as Planet Rock and Team Rock Radio, Gandalf's Fist appeared on the bill at Planet Rockstock '13 alongside the likes of Fish, Hawkwind and Uriah Heep. Following the performance, touring musicans Stefan Hepe and Chris Ewen were promoted to full-time band members as the medieval-space-rock-pioneers recorded and released their fifth, full-length studio release "A Forest of Fey" - an album that featured guest musicans from the Likes of Troy Donockley, Clive Nolan, Dave Oberle' and John Mitchell.
As Gandalf’s Fist’s reputation continues to grow within the Prog-Rock scene it is difficult to imagine what the future holds for this merry collection of musical adventurers, but what is certain is that it will be well worth sticking around to find out!
“ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARD. My list from last year was topped by the Gandalf’s Fist album that preceded this one. With the new release they’ve gotten a little distant from the pure Pink Floyd like sounds of the last album, but it’s an incredible set.”
Gary Hill - Music Emissions
“There’s a definite kind of hard rock meets near metal vibe but the concepts and sounds are very much rooted in classic progressive rock. Carving out a unique space in a crowded prog-rock scene, Dean’s electric guitar work is on fire for most of the CD.
Decked out in the kind of artwork that was so appealing back during the heyday of prog-rock circa 1975, the CD even has a story line, making it a kind of modern day rock opera, which helps to make the album a unique collection in the global prog-rock world.”
Robert Silverstein - http://www.mwe3.com/
“From the wilds of Cumbria comes a group hell bent on the destruction of every orc and dodgy bit of golden fingerwear they can find. Using the power of prog metal, they’re aiming to douse the fires of Mordor and make the world safe for all people of small stature everywhere...
There’s no denying the musicianship present in Gandalf’s Fist’s work...
I feel safe in saying that if prog is your thing, you’ll approve of Gandalf’s Fist.”
The Moshville Times
“Dean Marsh, multi-instrumentalist, has amazing skills in creating climates of this musical story, and Luke Severn is endowed with charming vocals. We appreciate their mastery while listening to this CD.”
Andrzej Barwicki - www.mlwz.ceti.pl
“The guitars are bluesy throughout. The lyrics are well thought out. This album is enjoyable on its first listen, better on its second, and enthralling after that. Bands like Gandalf’s Fist are why people continue to listen to millions of obscure albums attempting to find something different, something intelligent, and something infinitely better than what gets crammed down their throat by the radio.”
Hands Off Promotions
“From A Point of Existence parts 1-5 is what good progressive music should be about. Storytelling, different styles of music and influences weaved in and about in an original manner which ebbs and flows keeping the listener anticipating what will come next, creating pictures in the mind of the listener. This has acoustic moments, choir sections, electronica, a refrain that pops in and out that reminds of Diamond Head's Ishmael, and a romping galloping riff which Iron Maiden would be proud of. 16 minutes of brilliance. This is not even the best track on the album.”
Tom Cornell - jukeboxmetal.com
“This is a fabulous album full of invention, humour and great music. Gandalf's Fist have created a world with strange characters and intrigue.”
Tom Cornell - jukeboxmetal.com
“...likely to be close to the top of my list for best album of 2012, so yes, it is great. It’s going to take some more time before I figure out if I like it better than its predecessor or not. But, either way, Gandalf’s Fist have managed to put together another exceptional disc. These guys are proving to be a very exceptional act.”
G. W. Hill - Music Street Journal
“With a band name like GANDALF’S FIST, and an album title like ROAD TO DARKNESS it would be easy to dismiss this release as just another generic album in the flooded power metal field, but it would be a shame to do that because if you did you would miss out on one of the best progressive rock albums of 2011... 9/10”
myglobalmind.com
“I received this album and had little warning of the joys about to unfold. After a few listenings it’s become one of my all time favorite discs. Yes, it’s that good. It’s a safe bet to say it will be on my list of best discs of 2011.”
Hill, G - musicstreetjournal.com
“As one listens to the latest release from Gandalf’s Fist, Road to Darkness, it’s easy to ask, “What would Tolkien say?” With a pint of Mead in hand, (as suggested by, Gandalfsfist.com), one might the answer: He would say; “Hell Yes!” And proceed to rock his socks off!”
Will Plummer - Portal Magazine
“Fans of progressive rock, and particularly Pink Floyd, will find plenty to like here. The hard part would be finding points to criticize.”
Gary Hill - reviewyou.com
"Road to Darkness is an album that combines modern prog with the classic version of the sound in a way that’s unique and entertaining. It’s likely that the album will make the “best of 2011” lists of quite a few progressive rock fans. - 5 stars (out of 5)"
Gary Hill - reviewyou.com
“Lovers of early Rush like Fly By Night with its huge theatrical musical shifts, or, fans of Jethro Tull á la Thick As A Brick and 70’s Pink Floyd will enjoy the progressive flavors of The Master and the Monkey”
Michael Morgan - reviewyou.com
““The Master and The Monkey (Part 2)” takes a page out of Pink Floyd’s 1975 epic masterpiece, Wish You Were Here. It’s an ambitious array of blues and progressive guitars that build throughout the song and carry it to its end.”
Michael Morgan - reviewyou.com
““The Life and Crimes of Pierre du Geteau” plays out like a reprise to a Broadway show. Its banged-on organs and flourishing keyboards would make for a great live show. Similar to songs like “The Siren’s Kiss,” this song’s vocals get buried in great piano and guitar licks. The vocals crave to unearth themselves from the puddles of instruments so that they can match the power and ferocity of the musical arrangement. This is a song that fans of Emerson Lake and Palmer’s virtuosic keyboard arrangements would really appreciate.”
Michael Morgan - reviewyou.com
