Without even the slightest hesitation, Clive Nolan fits into the revival of progressive music as pioneering guiding light (sorry, IQ fans), foraging forward in the darkest of confines, when prog was not only dead in the water but buried by the press without any ceremony (Thank you Lester Bangs, Creem, Rolling Stone (yuk), Melody maker and NME for your lack of vision). Indeed, the aforementioned IQ, Pallas, Marillion and of course the Nolan-manned Pendragon kept the flame alive, and leading the underground into the global phenomenon that it is today. His recent work on the Imaginaerium projects, both the Rise of the Medici and Siege being outstanding works, only proves that quality and consistency are the true hallmarks of any musical talent.
A massive and opulent work that requires both attention and stamina will not get the 35 track-by-track treatment, but rather the more personal analytical overview option. Wedding Bells , church organ, pomp and circumstance, choir galore, with a theatrical setting, emitting a nearly My Fair Lady feel (Get Me to the Church on Time, With a Little Bit of Luck), as both Nolan and Laura Piazzai sing their respective roles with flair and dedication. Scott Higham has full control of the drums, a necessary vehicle to push the program along with trepidation, while the Mirko Sangrigoli guitars, bass (Arnfinn Isaksen) and keyboards fulfill the instrumental needs to perfection, while inserting some classical orchestral adornments. At times, the mood alternates between medieval, pastoral, carnival/fair, troubadour/raconteur, juggling ragtime and pub sing along with apparent impunity to outright rock segments, classical intersections, progressive bravado, to atmospheric pauses.
On CD 1, the first major highlight comes on the whopping “Decisions”, a 10 minute+ act between chaos and balance, with epic doses of conspiracy, treachery and deceit, salted with Shakespearean glory, and pulsating musical scope. The main melody is both resilient and salutary, a thrilling section that keeps the tension on the razor’s edge, with twists, flips and turns. An accidental harpsichord appears out of the blue, a vocally ‘compulsive explosive, a burst of sight and sound’ that cannot repel interest. Savvy dosage of quirk, whimsy, charm and drama provide additional spice and tang. One can close their eyes and imagine the scenario (at least until a live DVD appears for us to enjoy) and follow the yellow brick road of fate.
Secondly, the overtly desolate “Fade” yearns for a sombre pungency, Gregorian chant being the elegiac motivation, laden with bombastic drums, howling mellotrons and a sense of hopelessness, even surrender being considered. The intense vocal duet moves to the front of the stage, leaving the torrential backdrop a step behind, menacing and unrepentant. Terrific piece.
Another superb segment on both “Guidelines” and “Unbowed “where Laura Piazzai shows her blazing talent, as both her power and subtlety come through like a double rainbow after the proverbial storm. Fast, furious and formidable, the palpitating delivery is a moment to salivate over. CD1 ends with the volcanic “Makaria” where Laura blows the roof off the opera house, ‘forcing one to their knees’, going higher and higher into the heavens.
The second CD features a series of melodic thrills from the delirious “Port”, then “Confession” to “Crime” (one of the most theatrical teasers), keeping the pace on point, unrelenting and expansive, as the story unfolds.
Two other rather mysterious showpieces, “Seduction” and “Tovenaar” are also most noteworthy, the first as the title implies is dramatics taken to new heights. The second is more explosive ,as it hints at the eventual finale of the cleverly named “Siege and perhaps the most vital word that we all need so desperately , “Trust”.
As is the case with any opera (prog or otherwise), the entire work begs for lavish live performances, where décor, costumes and props are needed to maintain the adventure. My dearest friend and colleague Lazland (whose review needs to be read as well and is available on his website) informed me when attending the recent Imaginaerium concert, that, as great as Siege was on record, the live presentation was simply off the charts brilliant, with the incredible Laura in particular demonstrating her usual petulant pulmonary talent. With inserted narration punctuating the story line, it’s obvious that this is not a compilation of hit singles but an entire opus that can only be appreciated as one focused sitting. Nolan has been toiling over this concept for ages, definitely a labour of intense love for all the subgenres one can find within the prog style. Serious and patient music adventurers will be thrilled. A live DVD performance is absolutely called for , we all hope it will happen !
Anxious listeners with 2-minute attention spans will move on, never understanding the meaning of content, presumably never ever having read an entire book of any kind in their lives. Too bad, the glow is temporary and will eventually fade into eternal darkness. Seize the moment.
4.5 Fatal candelabras