Gandalf's Fist / About This Artist
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Artist Details and Stats:
Hometown: Cumbria, UK
Label: Musik and Film / Musik and Film Records
Website: www.gandalfsfist.com
Sounds Like: Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree, Jethro Tull, Wishbone Ash, Ayreon
Genre: Rock
- 12,417
Total Fans - 10,919
Profile Views - 15
Recent Plays - 935
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Biography:
Many new bands break onto the scene claiming that their music is unique. But few can have as much behind such claims as Cumbria’s finest purveyors of Medieval-Space-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 Tolkien’s fantastical characters... And what would Tolkien say? With a pint of Mead in hand, one might suggest he would say; “Hell Yes!” And proceed to rock his socks off!
However it all started, what Gandalf’s Fist did with the release of their second album ‘Road to Darkness’ was to propel the apparently old-fashioned notion of the concept album firmly into the 21st century. And for that, they should be applauded. 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.
Described by Music Street Journal as “One of the best discs of 2011”, and “one of the best progressive rock albums of 2011” by Myglobalmind.com, Road to Darkness is typical of what Gandalf’s Fist are all 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.
Musically, despite having little academic 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. After releasing three records in 2011 and currently in the process of writing their latest album 'From a Point of Existence', Gandalf's fist are going from strength to strength and beginning to make waves on the national progressive scene.
Gandalf's Fist are certainly not a band 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, they're essential.
Press:
“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
““The Master and the Monkey” is fun from start to finish. Read the story. The music becomes more fun! Read the story whilst listening to the music…you get what I mean. Have a friend? Let them listen too, and all enjoy the fun. ”
Vehirob - TheDunedain.net
“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
“Master and the Monkey Part 2...Musically, this song is a masterpiece, reminiscent of late 60’s to mid-70’s Pink Floyd. Not what I expected from a self-proclaimed “progressive folk/rock” band. Very bluesy, very smooth. Oh yes, it is also, very good!”
Vehirob - TheDunedain.net
““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 album’s opener, “The Master and the Monkey (Part 1)” is a ten minute-long epic containing a colorful set of musical changes, shifting from folk to Flamenco to heavy rock, creating a glorious musical deluge of sound.
The song starts off with shimmering and mysterious synths and a twisty, scaling but equally compelling melody. The electronics then progress into a series of volleying acoustic guitars and banjos. The acoustic progression during certain portions loses some of the tempo and control seized during the first part of the song, but the sagging tempo quickly evolves into a more energetic, Flamenco-like rhythm with transitions that are clever and engaging. The guitar harmonies add a shimmering light to the music. Halfway through the epic, the synths revolt, morphing into an entirely different rhythmic disguise, accompanied by a larger rock tempo with electric guitar harmonics formulating the entry of synth reverb in a Rush-like fashion. ”
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
“Progressive rock has always been one of those very fuzzy music categories that span multiple genres, applying to bands like Yes and Rush with lots of synths and guitars whose melodies tell “wond’rous stories” filled with folk-like tendencies and occasional heavier romps or psychedelic echoes. Then there are bands like Jethro Tull whose mystical flutes and soundscapes usually tell epic tales of bizarre characters, like “Cross-Eyed Mary” or “Aqualung.” It’s the kind of music that is missing in action from today’s music landscape. Enter Gandalf’s Fist. ”
Michael Morgan - reviewyou.com