The Book of Revelations is a refreshing band, that knows how to memorialize and at the same time, give new life to classic Genesis sounds from the Peter Gabriel era. Instead of borrowing riffs that everyone knows sounds like Genesis or Marillion, they just use the melodies and riffs, and add their own new lyrics. They have returned with their latest album, Olympus Mons, which was released on May 30th of this year. And yes, this is a monster of an album, just as the title of the Mars volcano, and largest known mountain in the solar system, might suggest.
Their debut full-length album, The Plumes of Enceladus was released in 2023, to rousing reviews. Yes, this is the style and sound of music that I and many of my generation grew up hearing, and still love to listen to and appreciate. Only this time the lyrics and stories have changed to make them entertaining and interesting to hear anew.
The Book of Revelations band members include: Paul Blackwell, who plays bass; Joe Donegan, who plays drums; Gerard Freeman, who sings lead vocals and plays guitar, flute and other instruments not listed; Chris Millwater, who plays keyboards; Daniel Monaghan, who plays guitars; and Mark Worledge, who also plays guitars.
“Olympus Mons,” opens with the song, “Grand Prix,” which starts off fast with Gerard Freeman singing to a rousing soundscape of guitars, bass, drum and keyboard, “The seed of greed is sown again, antique or unique, that’s the name of the game. Degree by ever increasing degree, desire fuels the hedonistic spree. All eyes on the Grand Prix, The Big Prize.” Gerard Freeman, does sound somewhat like a young Peter Gabriel or Phil Collins, but I would say he sounds most like Henry Tarnecky, (rest his soul), of the USA band Temporal Chaos Project, (TCP). Gerard does play the flute linking him more closely to Peter Gabriel. After the fast opening, Gerard Freeman re-enters the soundscape with soft flute, acoustic guitar, and keyboards which support him. The sound will take the listener back to 1972. It sounds so good and new again. Fife and drum like sounds, until the killer Hackett-like electric guitars enter the fray. Gerard Freeman returns to sing, “Under the hammer, going for a song. Oh, what a prize lot I’ve got my eyes on.” A story of what we all do in the Western World; compete for the big prize, (whatever that happens to mean for each of us); in this competitive, capitalistic world. A great commentary on where we are in 2025. Not far from where we were in 1972.
“Bacchus Up,” (You gotta love their play on words). This one opens like something off “Nursery Crime” or even “Trick of the Tail.” Wonderful, soft acoustic guitar, flute, soft drum, bass, and keyboards. Gerard Freeman sings, to soft sounds, like Genesis’ “Harlequin,” “Listening to the radio and watching the TV. What’s this modern music ever done for me. Why do I keep hearing things can only get better? It’s more like a dreaded curse with things just getting worse. And don’t knock the rock of yesteryear. Just block this schlock and make it disappear. What’s wrong with nostalgia, what’s wrong with living in the past. Let’s future proof this golden egg, we’ve got to make it last. Isn’t everybody doing it, You Tubing it and viewing it. We’ve got to get the band back together again!” Yes indeed, it has been tried many times. But since it doesn’t look like Genesis, with Gabriel, will ever happen, we need new bands to keep the sound going. This band has got the right attitude. They even include references to the many attempts The Who, (who are on tour now), have made at reforming, “Let’s give the kids, who think they’re alright.”
On, “The Celebrated Axeman,” Gerard Freeman sings, “Retired, retired? What you mean? Unretire that lazy has-been. Get him back in the saddle, get him back on his horse. If you need to use force. Just get him out of that home. And get me Harri on the phone. The celebrated Axeman’ll give me the facts. You may need to bleed him to the max. I wanna know what he knows, get me all the gen, I want a blow by blow.” All set to sounds that will take you back to either “Harold the Barrel,” “Get ‘Em Out by Friday,” and/or “The Battle of Epping Forest”. They even add some great lyrics I remember like, “We’ve got to get in to get him out,” similar to “Carpet Crawlers.” Over 7 minutes of wonderful memories of sounds you’ll recognize immediately.
The “Debacle in the Retirement Home” Suite is full of original sounds and compositions, set to memories of the past. “Part I,” opens fast and begins the story well. This over 3-minute opening is full of synthesizer, guitar and drum, as Gerard Freeman lays out the story. “Part II,” continues the story, with softer acoustic sounds and a more “Nursery Crime” sound, that fills the soundscape. An over 4-minute song that recounts the ‘back story’ of the friendship between Yuri, Harri, and the other members of this song’s lyrical content. The flute playing is wonderful. The final segment of the “Debacle in the Retirement Home,” “Part III,” is the longest, at over 8 minutes. Gerard Freeman opens with flute and acoustic guitar accompaniment. Then, bolder lead electric guitar, pounding drum, and bass. Freeman sings, “I knew it was you, it’s too good to be true. You were lucky but I’ll have you this time. I can’t forgive or live and let live”. A sound and lyrical that actually feels as if they have achieved the power of “Robbery, Assault and Battery,” set more to the music of “Nursery Crime.” An interesting and entertaining combination.
“Safe as Sofas,” is another one of those songs which would have fit well on “Nursery Crime.” Gerard Freeman sings, “Theo climbed the golden staircase, silver spoon in mouth and hand. Not a thought for daddy’s workers or the precious family brand. His father’s furniture business was caught in a futon feud. His deadly rival, by the name of Mac, his usual call was due. for the annual cull of the cream of the shop. But this year is very different; this year is not quite the same. Theo has a change of heart in favour of the family name. Behind cushion covers of pastel.
He tries on his disguise on and goes off with the chosen few. Who will slave for Big Mac in Big Mac’s Factory.” A little like mixing, “Cinema Show” and “I Know What I Like” from “Selling England by The Pound.” Sweet!
Then, they take a run at my favorite Genesis song, “Supper’s Ready.” The next four songs have musical melody excerpts from “Supper’s,” set to new lyrics. “Theophilia and Theophobia,” starts it off. The love of God pitted against the fear of God, all set to a love song, of sorts. A flashback to the “Ikhnaton and Itsacon and their Band of Merry Men,” section of “Supper’s Ready.” Then, Gerard Freeman sings, “Their eyes met across the floor of the furniture store. In among the bedding and velour, she said, “I know the quest of yours is my chest of drawers, but until I’ve seen inside your wardrobe, I won’t know what you’re like. So, take me there. He offered her a whiskey and sofa and at first, she demurely reclined.” And then, they jump into the, “He offered her all manner of favours and she savoured the flavours. All was suite in the wardrobe department, a neater rail you’ll never find.”
“All the Way to Cedar Lite,” is the band’s take on “Supper’s,” “Willow Farm,” section of “Supper’s.” Gerard Freeman sings, to the melody and sound of the classic, “If you get stuck in the maze today, the phrase to say is to praise the way. That thread can be used, the dead pan abused, you won’t be confused. And you’ll never lose, the best way out. At every twist and tortured turn, you should learn to spurn the burn. Leave it alone and you will come home, but a snag in the line from the wag with the fine features. Could summon the Minotaur and his evil creatures. Feel your bodice rip, with a modest grip, mend with a jubilee clip, yippee!” Yes, they enjoy loads of fun recreating the power of one of the best sections of the super-epic.
“The Collapse of the Firewall,” is like a piece of “Apocalypse in 9/8,” set to different lyrics and music.
“The Liberated Labyrinth,” brings this massive return to the sounds of early Genesis to an end. Freeman sings, to flute and an acoustic soundscape, “Mac’s little girl called Annie, once the apple of his eye. turns her back on Dad and says goodbye. Sofas-U-Like’s not booming and assuming the role of the hero. Theo takes Annie in his loving arms. turns to Mac and says, “That’s the price you have to pay”. The labyrinthine battle’s over. No more corners, no more mourners. IDEA’s won the war of the sofas. A co-operating system gave Theo Windows of opportunity to liberate The Labyrinth. As it was and is, and ever shall be. It’s out with the old, in with the new. And the victors claim their spoils of war. So, with three sweet pieces, hand in hand, they elope to start their brand-new Superstore.” All set to the melody which ends “Supper’s Ready.”
Yes, I would recommend The Book of Revelations’ Olympus Mons to listeners of all kinds. Even die-hard Genesis fans, who may get upset over the use of musical sounds juxtapositioned with a new story about a furniture company. They say, “If you can’t laugh at yourself, you have no sense of humor.” This is not something I would listen to in the same way as I would any of my favorite Genesis’ albums. But I am not a purest as far as being able to appreciate others’ contributions to the genre and sound of progressive rock. And I don’t imagine The Book of Revelations expects anyone to listen to them as a new Genesis album from an era long gone. I think they, like I and many others love that style of music and want to play this kind of music live. So, relax, no one is trying to take over the Genesis brand. Sit back and enjoy The Book of Revelations’ “Olympus Mons”, with an open mind and a reverence for the sound so many of us grew up with and cherish.
Album Track List:
- Grand Prix – 7:23
- Bacchus Up – 6:27
- The Celebrated Axeman – 7:40
- Debacle in the Retirement Home – Part I – 3:22
- Debacle in the Retirement Home – Part II – 4:11
- Debacle in the Retirement Home – Part III – 8:47
- Safe as Sofas – 4:16
- Theophilia and Theophobia – 5:21
- All the way to Cedar Lite – 2:30
- The Collapse of the Firewall – 5:10
- The Liberated Labyrinth – 4:34
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://www.thebookofrevelations.org
https://thebookofrevelations.org/olympus-mons
https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Book-of-Revelations-100063568268846
YouTube and Music Video Links: