RAGNAROK

What can I say? Classic Progressive Rock from New Zealand in the 1970s. The first album (self titled) is a real gem, and, even today after nearly 40 yrs of listening, I consider it an all time favourite album from ANY artist in the prog rock genre.. Why? well, its not particularly complicated in terms of say, 'Yes' technicality or 'Crimson' wierdness, but the synergy of the band and its instrumentation as it paints and weaves through the album puts me in what i call my 'dharma place' : that place where I am free from desire and fear and am just experiencing pure bliss.

Lee Maalfrid's Vocals are superb: she was undisputably the best female vocalist in Aotearoa at the time, as well as a very fine songwriter. She is Boudicca and Medusa all rolled into one as she moans and cajolls her people with a warning in 'Fire In The Sky'. In 'Caviar Queen' she 'has 'ridden over mountains and men for ages and ages gone by' and ' the earth does indeed tremble when she sighs...fantastic lyrics and a guitar riff that even now, is technically well crafted as it sours over the chorus. The instrumental tracks like 'Rainbow Bridge' and 'Dream Sequence' are great for the m p3 player at any time, but especially for just chilling at home.

Awesome.

Limited remastered CDs are available through the keyboard player in the band (yes..Andre Jayet, original member) and there was talk of a possible reunion albeit, w/o Maalfrid.

'Nooks is another masterpiece from 1976. I saw the band do a support gig for Jan Hammer and Jeff Beck and quite frankly, they blew the latter band off the stage. Needless to say i went straight to the shop to buy Nooks the next day! (yes people..I have an original Vinyl copy of Nooks, as well the original Cassette of Ragnarok, and now, the remastered CDs as well.)

The Title track on Nooks, is a masterful instrumental that will take you higher and higher into prog heaven, finally unwinding you and leaving you in a state of new consciousness. 'The Volsung' is a story of the Vikings..the track starts with the sound of the sea and you can hear a ship on the tide....then the intro of accoustic guitar and a wailing vocal..the story is told '...our ships sailed....past ice shores and snow covered fur trees......cast a last look to our fatherland..swift long ships heading for the open sea...sword and shield emblazened by the sun...Thor grant us the wish to die like men...warriers voices raised in songs of war..."' you can almost TOUCH the Runes around the crew's necks!!

These guys are great and know exactly what they are doing....both albums have helped create a solid foundation of prog consciousness.

Both fine albums aren't for just collecting. They are keys for Your Assension..................

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