GATHERING OF SOULS

The Guildmaster could be seen as a folk-spirited little sibling of The Samurai Of Prog, likewise an international progressive rock project by mostly the same production team, but (unlike TSOP) relying on the original compositions of its core members. They are, since the second album Liber de Dictis (2022), Spanish folk expert Rafael Pacha, Finnish drummer Kimmo Pörsti, Italian-livng-in-Finland bassist Marco Bernard and Italian keyboardist Alessandro Di Benedetti.

With the preceding albums I occasionally felt that the Medieval/folk elements and the modern prog rock production were having a tug of war, making me wish for a purer folk approach on some pieces. Now everything is more coherent and unified, rooted on the symphonic prog -- with the blessing of the rich, folky sonic pallette due to the various folk instruments played by Pacha. But what really makes this album my fave of the three is the excellent level of compositions. Being almost as lengthy (64:20) as the 12-track Liber de Dictis, Gathering of Souls has eight tracks, four of them a bit longer.

Pörsti's opening instrumental 'The Crusade of Earl Birger' is inspired by the historic events that took place in the Finnish soil in the mid-13th century and it has a wonderfully dynamic and colourful arrangement. Pacha's long instrumental 'Where Are You?' still improves from that. One moment you may think of Ommadawn-era Oldfield, the next moment has a Wakemanesque synth run, and the cherry on the top is the beautiful wordless singing of Paula Pörsti. Also the third piece is a colourful folk prog instrumental, composed by Pacha.

Di Benedetti's sole composition, epic 'Blood and Oblivion' is an outstanding emotional highlight sung by Yogi Lang of RPWL. Then one more fine Pacha instrumental, after which the album takes a bit more vocal oriented course. Nick Markham (neverheard) sings with his smoky voice the ambitiously proggy 'Mary the Jewess' which however is not among my highlights. Also composed by Pacha is 'Luonto puhuu' where Paula sings in Finnish. This piece has a peculiar atmosphere. Pörsti's second composition 'Sea and Sky' features the mid-70's Phil Collins reminding vocals of John Wilkinson, and a lovely flute contribution of Giovanni Mazzotti.

Now I only need to decide how to round my 4,5 stars. Ok, let's round it up because, as I said, this is the most solid and symphonic Guildmaster album this far. Hats of especially to Rafael Pacha who's at his strongest here.

As they may say in the prog butcher shop, "let us not mince words" , so I won't. Bluntness can be wonderfully rewarding ,I just love Rafael Pacha's music and his incredible talent. Alessandro di Benedetti (Mad Crayon, Inner Prospekt) is not only a genius but also a friend, Marco & Kimmo are both prolific and exceptional with the Samurai of Prog . That being said, for the record (pun intended), The Guildmaster is a progressive medieval rock style that I ADORE. Of course, it helps that I was raised as a young teenager on baroque and classical music, infusing the Beatles and rock and roll for some added pleasure , so it should come as no surprise that the combination would signal the road towards the hallowed gates of Prog! In 2020, I fell in love head over heels with this band's debut "The Knight & the Ghost" , which I had the honour to review glowingly. Two years later, "Liber de Dictis" appeared and made me genuflect in manifest adoration. Now comes the third instalment, and what a priceless masterpiece this is! "Gathering of Souls" is a staggering package with impeccable artwork from the great Ed Unitsky, stellar production and melodies, displaying technical talent that dazzles and a timeless feel, as if wondering back in the distant adventures of hallowed time.

With the heady aromas reminiscent of Concierto de Aranjuez by fellow Spaniard Joaquin Rodrigo, Rafael Pacha introduces the "The Crusade of Earl Birger", utilizing krumhorns , recorders as well as acoustic and electric guitars, aided by the tight rhythmic contribution from Marco and Kimmo, and subtle piano and synth work from Alessandro. It recalls a Swedish military campaign to fight the pagan Hame people in Finland, in the 1320s. Hame Castle can be visited today, between the cities of Tampere and Helsinki. It's just a majestic piece of music.

On the sprawling sonic tapestry that is the colossal 10 minute and change "Where Are You?", a forlorn Oldfieldian vibe rules the airwaves, also offers an exquisite female vocal spot from Paula Porsti. Rafael inserts bouzouki, bodhran, mandolin, zither, electric violin and keyboards to his arsenal, in creating a cinematic soundtrack for a lost friend or cherished one. The Celtic overtones are remarkably proficient in recreating a reflective mood, cyclical repetitions that enchant and captivate from the get-go. When the pulse thickens , we reach the musical highlands, overlooking the fog bound valleys, where the morning dew maintains its wet freshness in undisturbed solitude. Rafael peels off a blistering solo that scours, escalating to the misty mountain tops, searching for the answer to the title's question. The rustling organ tempest is a sheer joy to behold, as the storm increases in depth and volume. A wondrous fairytale instrumental. The swaying "Omnis Saltat ad Solem" is a running leap towards the sun, an acrobatic circular solar dance ,the elders interacting with the common folk , where individualism is replaced by human interaction, all as one. Here, Pacha incorporates Hulusi (type of Asian flute), Cuatro (kind of 4 string acoustic guitar popular in Venezuela) and Nyckelharpa (a medieval Swedish instrument similar to combination of violin and hurdy-gurdy). We arrive to another level altogether, as the mercurial Alessandro di Benedetti shines brightly on the epic "Blood and Oblivion" , his shimmering piano work serves to expand the spotlight on RPWL's Yogi Lang and his soft vocal cameo. As the guitar enters the arrangement, there is a definite transition to a jazzier feel, both in the rhythmic tempo, and the crisp guitar lines and the monster synthesizer foray, building up into heady symphonics and a full prog blow out! When Paula releases her choral aria, it's beyond the edges of sublime. When Rafael reignites the jazz guitar musings , it morphs into outright heaven. The ambient beauty displayed is colossal, full of emotional restraint and penitence , as the story focuses on the criminal mind, sung with poignant words like 'The more I search the light, the more there's darkness deep inside". A magnum opus.

"Lo Prometido es Deuda", translated as "A Promise Is a Debt", a serene melodic pilgrimage that highlights the spirituality of every step one takes in a lifetime, a progression towards a goal, whether fully defined or impulse-drive. Here, the onus is on the dulcimer and viola di gamba, two famed medieval instruments that exert a gentle trait, so naturally, the contrast of a stirring pipe organ flurry is selected as the perfect foil. When the elegant piano settles the urgency, a sense of purpose returns full force. And back and forth, it goes, just like the meanderings of a long journey.

Epic track number 3 is the heavily vocalized "Mary the Jewess", the microphone being handed to Nick Markham (who also wrote the words), recalling the story of Maria, becoming a prominent reference for alchemy and hence, science. The arrangement sits more in the conventional prog-rock channel, the viola di gamba and recorders still in the spotlight, though the uplifting lead guitar solo is a definite highlight. When the majestic keyboard barrage finale enters the fray, the Genesis influence cracks through the shell, as Alessandro di Benedetti does his Banks thingy perfectly (The first Inner Prospekt album was Dreaming Tony Banks, recently remixed).

From the land of a thousand lakes and forests , "Luonto Puhuu" naturally relates to the importance of nature in the Suomi mindset and culture. The lyrics and vocals are all in Finnish, (Pirkko and Paula Porsti respectively ), while the instrumental side showcases the Chapman stick technique of guest Alfonso Romero, some deft drumming from Kimmo and some cool guitar licks. A lovely distraction.

Keeping the pace constantly evolving, finishing off the album with a simple neo-prog tinged track, "Sea and Sky" features vocalist John Wilkinson (Ellesmere, Random Option, The Swan Chorus, The Samurai of Prog and Bill Bressler) among many others, guitarist Tony Riveryman and flutist Giovanni Mazzotti. There was more than enough adventure and exploration on the all the previous tracks, so a humble little track to end the fanfare on a light note was most welcome. A feelgood piece about 'Eternal Union'.

In a frenzied world of endless confusion, needless stress and constant data overkill, escapism in the form of music and progressive rock particularly, should be the ultimate panacea. Its side-effect free, perhaps addictive, inexpensive, eternal and guaranteed to cure ailments both physical and psychological. Get this before Big Pharma gets in the way and cancels this review.

Already on the podium of finalists for 2025. 5 Shining skies