A L B U M  R E V I E W

Bert van Rijssen has kindly provided this English translation of a review of Year Zero written by Wilco Barg that first appeared in the Dutch publication IO Pages (No. 41, October 2002). [IO Pages has a web representation here.] The original review in Dutch is reproduced here.

[Galahad's] last studio release Following Ghosts (FG) dates from 1998. In between they have released a remixed version (De-Constructing Ghosts — Galahad Electric Company) and Other Crimes and Misdemeanours 3 (an album full of material that mostly can be found on other releases). With Year Zero the band partly continues the lines set out with FG, but is also willing to return to the typical Galahad sound of the late eighties. Together with lovely, sometimes a little predictable melody-lines, the listener will be treated from time to time to dance and house beats as well to some Bjork-esque samples (Year Zeroverture).

When I say "predictable" melody-lines, I am referring to the broad soft carpets of Mellotron and Synthesiser sounds with some strong but simple guitar solos from Roy Keyworth on top. Compare this with earlier songs like Aries and Ghost of Durtal (of which the end of The Optimist and The Charlotte Suite are reminiscent). Examples of this can also be heard in World Watching, Haunting and Deceptive Vistas/Postscript - Perspective.

Also Galahad is not afraid of using some heavier sounds, like on the opening of Democracy, with some strong links to Dream Theater, tightly directed by industrial percussion. Semi-bandmember Sarah Quilter makes a guest appearance, and John Wetton contributes vocals on Belt Up and Take a Deep Breath and Hold on Tight.

Year Zero is, because of the good mix of all this, the best album Galahad has released up to now. The band tries to give new impulses to the neo-prog sound by using modern-day rhythms and styles in their songs.

By virtue of this album, Galahad, the eternal prince of Prog, can finally and convincingly stake its claim to the throne of the King!