GARY HUGHES "Once And Future King Vol. 1"

European Import : Frontiers Records - FRCD161D

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Gary Hughes has established himself as one of England's premiere singer songwriters. In a few short years he has managed to be involved in some mighty melodic and hard rock releases including, the first three Bob Catley albums (both as a producer and songwriter), Hugo's solo debut (as a producer) and not to mention 6 studio albums with his greatly successful band Ten and three solo albums. After the completion of Ten's last solo album, the hugely acclaimed "Far Beyond The World", Gary has voluntarily closed doors to all possible collaborations. His task was very ambitious: write a rock opera in two chapters, based on the myths and legends of King Arthur, the legendary King of Britain. Gary spent more than two years writing the lyrical textures and finding the appropriate singers to play the various parts in this majestic piece of work. Gary also welcomed the input on keyboards on mr. Ayreon himself, Arjen Lucassen, who played on the intro of the song "Excalibur" (off of the first volume). Musicians involved on the album include all Gary Hughes' TEN bandmates including the newest band member Chris Francis on lead guitars, John Helliwell on guitars, Greg Morgan on drums, Steve McKenna on bass and Paul Hodson on keyboards, with additional keyboards by Graham Woodcock (The Quest). Cover artwork for both records have been designed by none other than Chris Achilleos (creator of Whitesnake's "Lovehunter" artwork). The stunning final result is guaranteed to set in stone the talents of Gary Hughes as a songwriter and producer and shows the class and the immense quality of British hard rock school, heir of the tradition of such giants as Whitesnake, Rainbow, UFO and Thin Lizzy!

It is 460 years since the Christians say their God was born - on a cold night in a faraway land, if such places exist. All that matters now is Britain, once again torn by war. Kernow, the tiniest of wind ravaged kingdoms is rebelling against the reign of Uther, the cold hard force of the Pendragon: the High King of Britain's united tribes, because of The Pendragon's lust for Igraine, wife to King Mark of Kernow. Merlin, mighty Lord of Avalon, and the most powerful Druid who ever drew breath, has given Uther a spell, a chance to become the physical embodiment of Mark. Uther will sate his lust this night whilst Igraine believes she is loved by her Lord. Merlin's price for his work is high, though: the product of the lovers union. A male child, the Heir Apparent of Britain; Son of The Pendragon, is claimed by Merlin within hours of his birth and whisked away to Merlin's dream tower on Ynys Wydryn. Uther, follows the Druid in an attempt to reclaim his son, but is set upon and slain by the remnant of Mark's war band. Without the child, Uther has no heir - his kingdom is lost. He calls upon Gofannon, the God of smithcraft to reclaim his sword. Gofannon must have heard Uther's cry so Excalibur, The Sword Of Kings, the blade fashioned in the Underworld by The Gods themselves finally shines in the morning light from within solid stone. Merlin places the precious child with Ector, a trusty old warrior from the glory days of Uther, that he might bring up the child as his own. The child Arthur is brought up as a brother to Cai - both boys are taught to ride and to fight, with Arthur excelling at both. Ector is summoned to attend a council at Glevum; there will be a tournament - Cai will take part, with Arthur as his man at arms. Here, amidst the stench and madness of the massively overcrowded city, Cai's sword is stolen and Arthur is despatched to procure a replacement. He returns with a sword drawn from a vine lashed and moss covered stone. A sword of legend, a blade of fable - The Sword Of Kings. Excalibur. Now at last there can be no doubt. Arthur will be High King. Despite the growth of the Christian cult, Britain, is still very much a pagan land. Kings and warbands from all the tribes of Britain travel to the Druids Sacred Isle - The Dragon Island - Ynys Mon for Arthur's King Making. At his King making, Arthur swears his oath to protect the land and unite the warring kings. At the vital stage of the ceremony, Merlin returns Excalibur to Arthur, now ritually sharpened and sheathed in a magical scabbard fashioned by Vivian the High Priestess of the Druidic religion and Lady of the Lake. The scabbard is Arthur's reminder of his oath to treat all Britons equally, Pagan and Christian alike. Amongst the Kings attending, there is King Leodegan, King of Henis Wyren and his beautiful daughter Guinevere. In the days after the King Making, amid the merriment and feasting, feast of strength and celebration, Arthur discovers there is more to life than big horses and sharp swords. He discovers Guinevere. The young King finds it difficult to leave Guinevere's side - Arthur is falling in love and wants Guinevere as his queen. Lancelot - Prince Of Benoic is also present at the King Making. He also lusts for Guinevere. At present, his desire to be the Champion of Arthur's Britain overcomes his need for the beautiful Princess - but for how long? Lancelot tries to convince himself that he will find his own Guinevere, and that this passion for the woman who will be his Queen is nought but a hopeless, romantic dream. Arthur and Guinevere are married twice - once in a lavish Christian ceremony to appease the fractious Christians and once in the Sacred Nemed - the Druid's Grove. Time moves on, the year dies and Guinevere bears Arthur a son - Gwydre - Britain has an heir. Morgana is the daughter of Igraine and therefore Arthur's stepsister. She has grown into a formidable sorceress. Morgana's hatred of Arthur and Merlin consumes her like a fire. She believes her mother was lessened and belittled by the deception wrought upon her by Merlin. She also believes Arthur and Merlin are directly responsible for the fate of her father. Morgana will stop at nothing to avenge the destruction of her family. Morgana tries to seduce Lancelot at the Nemed, but neither her dark beauty, nor her magic can cut through Lancelot's unrequited passion for his unattainable queen. They are both unaware that Nimue, Merlin's priestess, is in the shadows and hears their conversation. Nimue informs Merlin what she has discovered and together they will conspire against the Christian Guinevere at a later stage for their own ends. Time passes and Arthur and Guinevere set up court at their Sea Palace in Durnovaria. Their son Gwydre joins Arthur's heavy horsemen. Morgana still harbours great resentment of Arthur and his heir and, at a feast day, she uses spells and illusions to give herself the likeness of Guinevere to sleep with her drunken half brother, the King. In her rage and deceit she conceives a son: an heir to her magic, to her malice and madness and a challenger to Arthur's throne. Merlin is deeply unhappy with Guinevere's influence over Arthur. He perceives the Queen to be clever - she wants to rule - either by being the power behind the throne, or, Merlin is beginning to suspect, by being directly upon the throne. Guinevere is a Christian, Merlin loathes the followers of the Christ. He would gladly see his beloved land in a Godless void, than allow the Christian cult one single foothold on Britain's soil. Merlin and Nimue swear a mighty oath to bring back the Old Gods to Britain whatever the cost to themselves and the land. To do this they will eventually have to offer as sacrifice, all the sacred Druidic Treasures of the Old Gods, one of which is the sword Excalibur. Lancelot is finally made Arthur's Champion - but his infatuation with his queen continues. Nimue and Merlin conspire to arrange a secret meeting between Lancelot and Guinevere. Arthur, knowing nothing, is tricked by Merlin into being in the right place - at the wrong time. The King is forced to see his wife and Lancelot together and to hear his bravest of companions speak of his undying passion for Guinevere. Arthur, Galahad and the royal guard arrive and the lovers are discovered. Lancelot fights his erstwhile companions and manages to escape, but without his lover. Guinevere is captured. Merlin wants to burn Guinevere for her faithlessness and treason, but Arthur, though horrified and betrayed banishes her to a solitary exile at Ynys Wydryn, where Merlin's people will ensure she can never betray her Lord or her country again. Morgana gives birth to a son, Mordred. She delights in regaling Arthur with the full tale of her magical deception and that he is the child's father. Arthur's misery is complete. Morgana, aware of the child's perilous status and revelling in her brother's despair vanishes to her secret sanctuary to raise the child Mordred in solitude, bitterness and vengeful hatred.