SKALLAGRIM: INTO THE BREACH

I'm finally writing a review of the band who has had a special place in my heart for 20 years or so. I first ran across GH shortly after I moved to Chattanooga, TN. their hometown in 1998. I bought the "Shadowlands" CD and was blown away when I saw they were from my town so I contacted Steve and became good fast friends with Him and Fred, the core of GH. Even to the point of being a guest at their studio, Sound Resources, several times and was fortunate to see them live first at belmont in Nashville, then at the Tivoli in Chattanooga where me and a buddy got to help behind the scenes, and then again at Rhythm and Brews when Aaron first joined the band. Shortly thereafter i moved a long way away but of course have kept up with their music and Steve on social media so I am still very invested in their music. Along the way I lost some interest with "Ode to Echo", "Breaking of the World" and Valkyrie" which just didnt move me like the period of "Lex Rex, Shadowlands, and The Inconsolable Secret" or the "IF" period with Jon Davison. Until "Chromonaut", which was a real true to form retro prog record, and then last years "Dreaming City" which saw them delve into harder, edgier, even darker material. Both of these were very fresh to me in a way the last few had not been so much, at least for me. So that brings to me their hardest, edgiest, and darkest album of all that continues the story of the love lost thief protagonist of the first chapter of this trilogy that started with Dreaming City. I'm going to mainly concentrate on the musical side of things and not so much the lyrics or story at this time. Track by track: 1)He's got a girl (9.0)- haunting brief intro that introduces Hannah Pryor to the GH world. Starts with beautiful simple piano melody. 2)Anthem to Andorath (8.0)- Comes out of the gate with guns blazing. Great riff with some soaring vocals by Hannah, but she's just getting warmed up. I kind of wanted this song to go a little further or deeper that's why the 8.0 rating instead of a 9 or 10. 3)Sellsword (8.5)- the first riffs here are pretty unrecognizable as GH. this one had to grow on me some and still is. again great vocal. Hardest song on the album. 4)Steel (9.0)- A great song that mixes more old style symphonic prog with the new almost prog-metal sound. This one solidifies Hanna as a keeper! 5)A Spell upon his mind, 6)Moon Pool, and 7)The Dark (8.0)-All instrumentals very different from each other and intriguing but don't quite grab me like what's about to come or what preceeded it. The Next 5 songs are among the best, IMHO, that they've ever done: 8)-The Ogre of Archon (9.0)- Here's where the Rush influence gets stronger and even other classic rock bands like Blue Oyster cult and Black Sabbath are heard. Steve and Fred handle the vocals well and there's some great vintage keys by Fred on this one that are sorely missed on alot of this album. 9)-Into the Breach (9.0)- this one starts out really hard and dark with some great riffs and then again strong vocals from fred and Steve and alot great trading off on keys and guitar solos. 10)-The Forlorn Hope (9.5)-Starts out with their most infectious riff yet and this one stays hard and strong with a soaring vocal by Hanna until that abruptly changes at the midway point to an etheral accoustic section that is as pretty and haunting as anything they've ever recorded. What a great song! 11)- the Writing on the wall (9.5)- by far the most hooky and commercial(sorry Steve) song I've ever heard from GH- and they totally pull it off. Best GH earworm besides "Terminus" from the last record. this should make Hannah a star! 12)- Hyperborea (10)-Ii had to give at least one song a 10. Obviously a Rush tribute from beginning to end and totally worn on their sleeve. But it is still GH, not an imitation, and this song flows so well, and the fact that it captures the "Carees of Steel" period of Rush just shows how much these guys love ALL of Rush. Just blast it loud and ROCK out! 13)-Bright Sword (9.5)- Brief and beautiful end with one beautiful line sung by Hannah. A couple of other notes- the guitars on this-riffs, rhythm, and solos are all note perfect, just not sure which are done by whom, Fred or guest guitarists-Reese Boyd and Brian Brewer, who are both monsters. Aaron Raulston's drumming is his best so far-move it up in the mix Steve! The mix is overall very good and brings the vocals more forefront than they've been sometimes in the past. That obviously is a nod to the power of hannah's vocals. And Steve's bass work fits this music to a tee, so powerful yet melodic all the way through. He has found his true home! This is just a great album whether it is from friends of mine or not, but I guess I am a little biased. After 30 years or so of making great music they've truly made one of their best. And it ROCKS hard! Thanks guys! love and miss ya'll. David.