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INVICTA

The Enid

Symphonic Prog


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The Enid Invicta album cover
3.99 | 176 ratings | 7 reviews | 27% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
prog rock music collection

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Studio Album, released in 2012

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Anthropy (1:03)
2. One And The Many (10:22)
3. Who Created Me (5:39)
4. Execution Mob (4:05)
5. Witch Hunt (6:36)
6. Heaven's Gate (9:09)
7. Leviticus (6:02)
8. Villain Of Science (5:03)
9. The Whispering (4:22)

Total Time 52:26

Line-up / Musicians

- Joe Payne / lead vocals
- Robert John Godfrey / keyboards, co-producer
- Jason Ducker / guitars
- Max Read / vocals, guitar, co-producer and mixing
- Nick Willes / bass, percussion
- Dave Storey / drums, percussion

Releases information

Journey's End second volume

Artwork: Robert J. Read

CD Operation Seraphim ‎- EWCD27 (2012, UK)

LP Madfish Records ‎- SMALP1019 (2014, Europe)

Thanks to The Megastar for the addition
and to Quinino for the last updates
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THE ENID Invicta ratings distribution


3.99
(176 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(27%)
27%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(38%)
38%
Good, but non-essential (24%)
24%
Collectors/fans only (10%)
10%
Poor. Only for completionists (1%)
1%

THE ENID Invicta reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by kev rowland
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Reviewer
4 stars Twenty years ago I went to see Galahad support Aerie Fairie Nonsense, which of course was The Enid under an assumed name, and RJG introduced himself to me by putting his arms around me and asking if I knew he was a poof? Now, that can make quite an impression on a lad, although it has to be said that it didn't have as much impact as seeing him play piano later on that night which was just astounding. RJG is one of those very few musicians who has always brought classical and progressive music together from the early days when he was working with Barclay James Harvest to when he formed The Enid in 1974. Since then the path has been complex and often tortuous, yet still he prevails. The current line-up features original drummer Dave Storey (although he, like Simon Nicol in Fairport, had some time off for good behaviour), guitarist Max Read (who has been there since '97), guitarist Jason Ducker (07), bassist Nick Willes (09), and new singer Joe Payne. It is interesting to see that the band now features a twin guitar attack as not many people would view them as a guitar based band ? as this is all about providing modern classical music.

There are a lot more vocals on this album than I am used to with The Enid, but at the same time it is also full of the styles and arrangements that one expects from RJG and the more I played it the more I was gradually drawn back into his world. In fact there were times when I felt that I was being taken all the way back to "Raindown" from the classic 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' and this new album stands up very well indeed to what is widely regarded as one of their best works. This is a band that is probably only ever going to be appreciated by a relatively small audience as their music is seen as 'high brow' or 'eclectic' even within the prog scene, but if you have never come across The Enid then this album is a great introduction. www.theenid.co.uk

Review by tszirmay
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars This was a most unforeseen revelation, a new album from this storied yet eclectic group led by the irascible iconoclast Robert John Godfrey. I, as many proggers from the golden age have known and possessed the first 2 legendary The Enid albums (In the Region of Summer Stars and Aerie Faerie Nonsense), attracted by the quirky union between classical orchestrations and more formal prog-rock. Their long history is very well documented and there is little need to hash over such golden territory. Let us just state that their deep instrumental symphonics were perennially modulated by trumpet-timbred synthesizers, ornate piano colorations and colossal waves of strings. RJG now has evolved into infusing this brittle formula with stunning operatic vocals, courtesy of voice wunderkind Joe Payne, owner of a lonely falsetto that would make any music fan blush with envy. He is without any doubt the focal point of this tremendous release.

This monstrous talent is evident on the stellar "One and the Many" , a brooding and melancholic composition loaded with towering strings, dense atmospherics and a dual vocal performance , first with that nearly feminine falsetto and then his "normal" tone which just shimmers with trepidation. Toss in some rumbling church organ for a finale and you have a track for the ages. Wow!

"Who Created Me" shows off some transcendent lineage that would make Freddie Mercury smile a bucktooth expression, up there in regal heaven. Playful piano toying with the operatic theatrics is perhaps an acquired taste but we are really not far removed from 'A Night at the Opera', including that zippy guitar sound that has such a captivating appeal. "Execution Mob" provides some opening cinematographic effects with carnival sonics, carousel flutes, chirping fowl and pealing bells blending in with massed choir vocals that hint at the Beach Boys what with a little calypso feel mixed with some utter Britishness! Cool runnings!

The daring "Witch Hunt" has an ominous tone where marimba patches, marshmallow guitar shrieks and swooning vocals meld into quite a stir pot of sound, spiced with dabs of trumpet/ trombone blasts. Vivacity, thunder, lightning, very very frightening! Galileo? Well we did say Witch Hunt, no? The hysteric axe creaks nastily amid the blooming string whoppers, the tympani drums booming Magma-esque when combined with the massed zeuhly choir work.

"Heaven's Gate" is the epic 9 minute colossus, a luxuriant doorway to profligate sounds, untenable angst and barely concealed apprehension, like some Kubrick-ish audio nightmare with a slowly evolving main motif. Extremely multi-dimensional space instrumental with operatic overtones in its bombastic finale, this one will require multiple revisits to sink in its anti-satanic message. Yes, and beauty will prevail in the end. Bravo!

Synthesizers anoint the perception quite religiously in the very English "Leviticus", here rather Beatles-esque than anything previously displayed, as the piano revels in the Joe Payne voice with fretting humility. This man can sing impressively and is a talent to be watched closely. Brazen guitar work only heightens the surprised enjoyment.

"Villain of Silence" is more classic the Enid, with intense importations of heady guitar (Jason Ducker, whose shattering solo will agonize the track later on) and cavernous RJG arrangements but all yielding to the playful Joe Payne voice, full of dynamic range, coy theatrics and artistic liberties (think a modern musical rock opera). "It takes the King's crown" Indeed!

"The Whispering" closes of this little masterpiece in utter style, a startlingly enjoyable listening experience that makes an immediate impact (the songs are simply of damned good quality!). Again fans of tremendous vocal ability will flock to this precious relic and will look forward to many future revisits.

The old school black and white cover artwork even winks at past glories, sylvan forests where angels, goddesses and lazing nude eunuchs play the lyre and the zauber flutes.

"I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul"

Progstreaming strikes again, providing the required marketing to hunt this one down.

4.5 poetic justices

Review by ProgShine
COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars I've been reviewing the latest The Enid albums for the last month, so it was quite obvious that their latest studio album Invicta (2012) would not be left aside. You can check out my other reviews HERE (progshine.net/search/label/The%20Enid).

Invicta (2012) is the second part of a trilogy that started with Journey's End (2010) and brings the band leaded by Robert John Godfrey (keyboards) with their latest lineup that includes Max Read (guitars and vocals), Dave Storey (drums and percussion), Jason Ducker (guitars), Nic Willes (bass) and Joe Payne (vocals).

The Enid's 13th studio album maintains the band's tradition for narrative. The album, like I said, is the second part in a planned trilogy. The trilogy deals with exploring the relationship between one as individual and the collective known as humanity.

'Anthropy' starts the album, but it's just an intro. It's when 'One & The Many' comes along that you get hooked! 'One & The Many' is a wonderful piece of music with over 10 minutes and built over an amazing choral of voices. The Symphonic sound of The Enid continues intact as the track goes along and presents us 'Who Created Me?' with an excellent job on the vocal by Joe Payne.

'Execution Mob' is the next track, and apart from the very interesting vocals, the presence of this almost Reggae song on the album is inexplicable. A song completely out of context within Invicta (2012). And it's even more visible when 'Witch Hunt' begins. A dark orchestral piece, full of great vocals. A very strong track! 'Heaven's Gate' is an instrumental Symphonic piece, melodic and pretty, but quite weird as a continuation piece and a bit too long. It lacks a bit of rock.

Then 'Leviticus' comes in, continues on the same slow path, but Joe Payne vocals gave the track some character. 'Villain Of Science' is like a mini story being told, like a musical. It is also when rock and symphonic join together perfectly. 'The Whispering' closes the album with the slow Symphonic side again. Carried mainly by vocals this is a beautiful ending for Invicta (2012).

Invicta (2012) also comes in a beautiful high quality digipack in which the band appears on the cover as ancient Gods. The album is a great piece of work where you have to listen carefully to the details and to the beauty of the work as a whole! Highly recommended for symphonic fans!

(Originally posted on progshine.net)

Review by Second Life Syndrome
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars I was very impressed by The Enid's "Invicta". This is the first album I've heard from them, and admittedly I was a little put-off by the opening opera-ish track. As it progressed, I realized it was more of an epic set piece that was foundational for the album. By the time the track ended, I was already sold on this album, I think!

Imagine my surprise, then, when "Who Created Me?" played. Wow. This track is simply outstanding prog in every sense of the concept. Fantastic vocals combine with heady themes to create a masterpiece of a track.

The album does not top "Who Created Me?", but it is strong throughout anyways. "Witch Hunt" and "Heaven's Gate" are poles apart, but they fit together so well. That's what really caught me about this album: This album has so much variety---featuring purely classical music movements to prog ballads to choir-led vocals within folksy tracks---and it always fits together so well. I'm not sure if it's the tone or the atmosphere, but this album is a unified whole regardless of how different each track is.

Overall, this album is epic in scope and ethereal in imagination. Incredible classical influences meet prog folk to create a simply delightful album for the open minded.

Latest members reviews

5 stars THE ENID - INVICTA (2012) After a brief intermission, the album begins with "Anthropy," a short work that acts as an introduction to the album. After 30 seconds, a thunderous smash is followed by a gentle choir. Second track "One and the Many" is a 10-minute tune that follows. Godfrey starts ... (read more)

Report this review (#2580930) | Posted by Mspy1 | Friday, July 23, 2021 | Review Permanlink

5 stars THE ENID: INVICTA (2012) 9/10 SYMPHONIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR? The first thing occurred to me while listening to the new album of The Enid, was the soundtrack for the movie trilogy by famous Polish director Krzysztof Kieślowski "Three Colors", composed by Zbigniew Preisner (and favored b ... (read more)

Report this review (#890299) | Posted by Gandalff | Wednesday, January 9, 2013 | Review Permanlink

5 stars I was quite pleasantly surprised by this album, I have been jaded to The Enid with vocals for a long time and always wrote them off as weak and taking away from the music, but this album is very different. With the addition of vocalist Joe Payne, The Enid finally has vocalist with talent to ma ... (read more)

Report this review (#861852) | Posted by Master of Time | Sunday, November 18, 2012 | Review Permanlink

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