Like many of our readers, I was also completely unfamiliar with the musical project Last Knight. The international progressive rock project coordinated by Spanish composer and producer José Manuel Medina. I didn't know that they are active since 1997 and that the project is highly collaborative, featuring over 30 different musicians from around the world—including England, Germany, and Denmark—who record their parts remotely via the internet. Musical parts are shared and recorded through online sessions. Many of the collaborators are high-profile progressive rock musicians, including John Mitchell. Worth mentioning is also that their 2020 album Seven Deadly Sins was dedicated to the memory of John Wetton. But as mentioned earlier, I didn't know any of this until I came across a photo of their latest album The Lords of Wisdom 1 - Reconquista I on the internet and it grabbed my attention. After listening to this album on their Bandcamp page I was blown away and decided to review it. Before I go into more details it has to be said that the path to this release was severely delayed due to a devastating studio accident that destroyed a major portion of the original master sessions, forcing a painstaking re-recording process. But in the end it came together as was planned. The Lords Of Wisdom 1: Reconquista, Pt. 1 is a symphonic progressive rock concept album and is the first installment of an ambitious musical trilogy. The album is a contemporary symphony structured as a rock opera. It is inspired by the historical conflicts of the Middle Ages on the Iberian Peninsula. Tracking the 800-year historical conflict of the Iberian Peninsula. The story follows the tension between the expanding northern Christian kingdoms and the sophisticated southern Islamic courts of Al-Andalus. The musical genre on the album is a mix of Progressive Rock, Spanish Folk, Rock and Classical Music. All beautifully done and most of all very enjoyable for most lovers of progressive rock. As mentioned earlier the creative director, coordinator and producer behind this outstanding musical project is the Spanish songwriter José Manuel Medina. He played all of the keyboard parts on the album himself. For those who want to know on which he layed his hands on I can tell you that he used the piano, Mellotron, Harpsichord, Hammond B3 organ, Fender Rhodes piano and several synthesizers. Furthermore he did some additional percussion, guitar and bass parts. Even more important to tell is that he did the entire orchestrations. He even did some vocal parts. The other vocals parts were done by the guest vocalists Marc Atkinson, Mariano Gardella, and Deibys Artigas. As for the musicians on the album Medina recruited multi instrumentalist Rafael Pacha (acoustic & classical guitars, Psalter, saz, guitars, violins, recorders, percussion, pipes, bass, mandolins, zither, flutes), Pablo Lato on bass, Jeff Duncan on drums, Troy Donockley on whistles, Victor Adebisi on violin and the guitar players Nelson Pombal and Kheiro Lamri. An album such as The Lords Of Wisdom 1: Reconquista, Pt. 1 needs a song by song detailed explanation to fully cover what is happening on the 15 tracks musically and historically. Here we go: 1. The Grand Overture - A true bombastic opening piece performed by the Somnus Symphony Orchestra & Choir. The first couple of seconds reminded me of Rick Wakeman and the way he let the orchestra perform on Journey To The Centre Of The Earth (1974). Some kind of Western Classical music with Eastern musical motifs can be enjoyed all the way! This massive, bombastic introduction lays out the melodic motifs of the album. This way it sets an epic, cinematic tone by using dramatic brass, sweeping strings, and choral layers. A great way to start an album if I may say so! As for the story it captures the atmospheric clash of two massive medieval cultures. 2. In The Middle Ages - Rick Wakeman comes even more to the forefront on this great piece of music. Just listen to the keyboards and you know what I am saying. But also the brass and orchestra parts remind me of The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table (1975). But also Kayak comes to mind and reminded me of the their two rock operas Merlin - Bard Of The Unseen (2003) and Nostradamus - The Fate Of Man (2005). The song blends heavy rock instrumentation with classical textures in a perfect way. The vocal highlights are done in a great way by Mariano Gardella. Beautiful Spanish guitar parts can be enjoyed as well. The main thematic struggle of the era is showcased on this tune and immerses the listener directly into the dark, superstitious, and deeply religious mindset of medieval Europe. 3. The Kingdom Of Asturias - A beautiful kind of acoustic piece of music on which multi-instrumentalist Rafael Pacha shines alongside the orchestra. It has traditional folk influences. There are sometimes very impressive orchestra parts to enjoy. The acoustic instruments are there to represent the rugged northern Christian resistance. We are focused on the mountainous, isolated northern region that served as the cradle of Christian resistance following the initial Umayyad conquest. 4. A War Of Eight Centuries - A short only one minute atmospheric interlude. A brief vocal prelude featuring Marc Atkinson. It builds narrative tension and emphasizes the vast scale of the incoming historical conflict that outlines the staggering chronological scale of the Reconquista. 5. Cordoba - Again a beautiful instrumental piece on which Rafael Pacha shines on the Spanish acoustic guitar. Features distinct Arabic and Moorish scales. this piece channels the cultural, intellectual, and artistic zenith of the southern Caliphate. It contrasts the rugged northern kingdoms with the advanced philosophy and art of the South. 6. War - This piece of music is without any doubt the heaviest and most aggressive track on the the album. It reminded me most of all of Deep Purple and their classic track Perfect Strangers. Mainly because of the same kind of organ and heavy guitar riffs. Deibys Artigas provides vocals over the intense, heavy guitar work Here the duelling solos, and dramatic vocal deliveries represent the clash of armies. The inevitable breakdown of diplomacy turns into the brutal clashing of armies and ideologies. 7. Chivalry Tales I - The influences of Rick Wakeman come back on this strong instrumental piece. Next to some fine synthesizer parts you can enjoy the organ and harpsichord. It's a softer, narrative-driven transitional piece focusing on themes of honour, knights, and medieval folklore. 8. A Green Field Of Memories - An emotional, mellow melancholic song with Medina on vocals and mainly accompanied by Pacha on guitar. The song follows the chaos of war. Looking at the human cost of the war, mourning the peaceful coexistence that was lost to bloodshed 9. The Kingdom Of Leon - The first of the album's two epics. Hello Wakeman again but I don't mind because I like it very much. The orchestral and synthesizer parts sound just amazing. Classical music and progressive rock hand in hand with occasionally some folk influences as well. All beautifully done. Historically tracking the shift of power as the northern frontier pushes south. It highlights the political plotting, changing borders, and internal civil conflicts of the expanding Christian state. 10. Flames Would Rise - A short mellow piece of music performed on the Rhodes electric piano by Medina on which Gardella once again shines on vocals. It's about the scorched-earth tactics used by both sides, illustrating burning cities and religious fervour driving destruction. 11. Across The Mountains - The shortest track on the album and only half a minute long. It's only the orchestra and Pacha on the recorder. This short, atmospheric bridging piece simulating the physical and grueling tactical journeys of armies moving through the rugged Iberian terrain. 12. The Kingdom Of Galicia - The second epic and the longest piece on the album. Without any doubt one of the highlights on the album. Mike Oldfield might have been an inspiration for this composition. But also Gentle Giant comes to mind several times. But of course Rick Wakeman is never far away. The song is a great mix of prog and folk music. It's about the deep spiritual connection to Santiago de Compostela, the rise of the pilgrim trails, and Galicia's distinct cultural and geopolitical role in the campaign. 13. Pamplona - A short triumphant instrumental piece performed by the earlier mentioned Somnus Symphony Orchestra & Choir. Celebrating regional identity and strategic victories in the Pyrenees. Explores the Kingdom of Navarre's strategic positioning, acting as the gateway to the rest of Europe and holding the Pyrenean pass against invasions. 14. The Backyard - Another short instrumental but this time around mainly performed on the Classical guitar by Pacha The song pulls us away from grand battles to focus on the human perspective of the people living through the era. A metaphorical title looking at the hidden, quiet collateral damage of the war—focusing on the peasants, women, and families left behind to pick up the pieces of destroyed villages. 15. Hymn For Asturias - This final track can be seen as the grand finale. It features Troy Donockley on whistles to give it a Celtic musical touch. The song mainly serves as a triumphant reprise and anthem of endurance, closing the first chapter of the trilogy on an uplifting, symphonic high note. The story closes by looping back to where it began. It leaves the listener in the thick of the medieval era, serving as a musical cliffhanger for Part II. Of course I have to mention the beautiful cover artwork and corporate image which was done by James Lobaco. As already indicated above, I am very impressed by what is offered on The Lords Of Wisdom 1: Reconquista, Pt. 1. What Last Knight presents here can be seen as an historical rock opera, in which they are guiding the listener through the early centuries of the Iberian Reconquista. The beautiful musical journey blends classic symphonic progressive rock with medieval folk arrangements and heavy cinematic scoring. A true delight to listen to if you enjoy adventurous music where a lot is happening and the musical influences are not easily pigeonholed. They do not limit themselves to a single musical direction but draw upon a fantastic musical blend of diverse styles. All of this is done brilliantly, making it highly recommended for any lover of true progressive rock who appreciates a good story based on truth. I am glad I was able to discover this amazing album on the internet. Hopefully, I am not the only one, and I invite everyone to listen to this album and get their hands on it. You won't regret it, and I am already looking forward to the next two parts of this impressive trilogy. ****+ Henri Strik (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
