Spriggan Mist, is a UK progressive rock/folk band, that is planning to release their latest album, The Glare, on Progrock.com’s Essentials label, on November 2, of this year.
The Glare, is actually the seventh studio album by the pagan folk-rock band. The Spriggan Mist discography includes: Caught in a Spell, 2009; Soul Retriever, 2012; Myths and Legends, 2015; The Portal, 2017; Ghostly Tales, 2021; and Isambard the Mechanical Dragon, 2022.
Spriggan Mist, is described as an energetic progressive folk rock band with a charismatic lead singer: Fay Brotherhood, providing the voice and onstage theatrics. She injects a fresh, exciting and welcome change to the progressive rock scene. The band has played several stages and festivals, with the HRH Prog Festival at The O2 in Sheffield; being one of their best and latest. Founded by Baz and Maxine Cilia in 2008, the band is known for its theatrical live performances and music rooted in folk rock with pagan and progressive elements.
Spriggan Mist is made up of members: Fay Brotherhood (lead vocalist, songwriter and acoustic guitar player); Baz Cilia (bass player, songwriter, and vocalist); Maxine Cilia (guitar player, saxophonist, vocalist, songwriter and woodwind player); Neil Wighton (guitar player and songwriter); and Ali Soueidan (drum player).
The action begins with, of course, an introduction: “(Intro) The Gaze of The Dragon,” which starts with orchestrations and Fay Brotherhood’s voice. “The gaze of the dragon calls them unto His Temple of coal. As Ianetores locks the Door behind them all. He will bid you follow him. You’ll never walk alone. Join the crowd, their eyes a blazing green just like his own. He’s the one who’ll call for peace. For change across the land. Light the way, hold high the candle. Burning on his breath. To the forest she will lead you. To his crystal cave. Where you’ll cross the portal to the stars. Come play the game. You’ll be shifted, you’ll be chang’ed. You will want to know. How you lived before without Isambard on your throne.” Yes, Fay Brotherhood has a unique voice that reminds me a little of Kate Bush mixed well with Heather Findlay.
While the intro gradually opened with soft orchestrations, “Ianatores Teresteres,” comes at you full speed with metal-like electric guitars, bass, and drums. The closest translation that I can get to the title is “gatekeepers.” Fay Brotherhood returns to tell us the story, “As one door shuts another one opens. Who knows where it may lead. Down a maze of extraordinary openings. Codes locks and keys. Door keepers of the Earth. Ianitores Terestres. Wardens of the Gates of Man. Chant in the name of Janus. A psyche card in today’s reading.” Like a drift back to the Harry Potter movies, set to metal guitars and drums. Towards the middle of the song, there is a great electric guitar solo with woodwinds. A nice surprise, indeed.
“Pieces of Glass,” opens with an almost harp-like sound. Fay Brotherhood returns to sing, “A board of color in rows of time. Beautiful shades – each with a sign. Take a wrong step and the board puts you right. Cover a symbol – the dark of the night. Glass beauties like eyes – know the next step. Carefully prepared their secrets are kept. The maker, a woman of wise descent. From the Welsh county of beautiful Gwent. As she changes up your time. Whilst you’re making up your mind. You think you’re in control. Each symbol can steal your soul. Colors mesm’rise this chess board of life. Colors to hide in this life of disguise. Innocent pictures and patterns intrigue. The next move is made and the tiles they do speak. The time will go by with the plans that you’ve made. You’ve blamed it on luck. And being in the wrong place.” The story of a lady who can tell your future, like a tarot card reader. Only this lady seems to have control over time, and human lives. The instrumental sections, with that harp sound and electric guitar, are very good. The acoustic guitar and flute, towards the end; is even better.
“Faery Wood,” opens with acoustic guitar, as every good song with this title should. Fay Brotherhood sings, “Ride by the hornbeam. Through the sun of spring. Out in the forest – A mist upon the lake. Through the quiet ringing of bluebells he will walk. Don’t walk among the bluebells – For they Are full of spells. The sweet smell of bluebells. Guides him to the hawthorn. Snow flowers glow in the mist upon the lake. By the quiet waters he will lie beside the hawthorn. Don’t lie beside the hawthorn – Or the faeries. They will call you. Catch me, come find me, for I am run away. We’re the doe and the buck round in circles we both shall chase. Never will you find me but you’ll hear me in the tawny owl. Calling out my name until your name is forgot. The faeries call you under. The faeries call you down.” The wonderful mythology of the ancient past brought to life with the perfect band and sound, to tell such stories. Like a trip through the poppy scenes of the movie: The Wizard of Oz. After listening to this music, you absolutely know you want to go see their show live. So much whim and wonder. The flute returns, to ice this, as the best song, so far!
“Crystal Cave,” seems like a trip to “The Shire,” from the mind of Tolkien. Though the music sounds more like a wonderful mix of Fleetwood Mac and The Birds. Fay Brotherhood sings, “Deep inside the well of the mountain. Flowing out with glitt’ring rocks. Tunneling right down through the lattice. By a yawning cliff face door. The crystal cave. Capture my spirit Guided by clear shining rays of light. The crystal cave I’m rap’t within it. Energy of life to ignite. Hidden out of view by the sea cliffs. Crystalline the salted rim. Water streams right down through the lattice. Carve an underground abyss. The crystal cave. Capture my spirit. Guided by clear shining rays of light. The crystal cave I’m rap’t within it. Energy of life to ignite. The fires of life, the fires of life.” Later she sings, “We gain the sight, we gain the sight. Through prisms of our dreams. Capture the sun, capture the sun. Embrace the warm, embrace the warm. And praise the one and praise the one. The energy supreme emerging from the light.” The guitar instrumental, along with saxophone, woodwind and drums that closes this song makes its one of the most dynamic and memorable songs on the album.
“The Cult,” opens with excellent guitar solos and bass, supported with the beat of the drums. The acoustic guitars join in as Fay Brotherhood sings, “We join together hand in hand. We face the future – on des’late lands. We fight for survival. Fight just to breath. With magic together. We all will weave. These crystals of power, change up the view. From polluted waters. Life force renewed. Protestus et Gloria Isambard. Protestus et Gloria Isambard Cultus danorium Isambard Societies, Isambard.” A solid electric guitar solo, with perfect beat drum support takes us out. They even add a little part of, “In the Hall of the Mountain King,” melody, like spices, to enhance the flavor.
“When Stars Collide,” is the closing track. It opens with electric guitar, bass, and drums. Fay Brotherhood sings, “Looking into the sky. I ask myself all the time. Why? Who decides my life for I? Stars skim over the nation in anger. Bearing no destination. Riding high the asteroids by Life is born in the stars under Mars. These planets align in a game – of Chess. Only the God’s play. Mesmerised by the light. Cutting through the sky like a knife. Do I have even one more say in my life? Scorpio you have a sting in your tail won’t you play? Gemini, Mercury rises up – and you will fail. Turning over the stubble of fate.” This song feels like a trip through some of the astrological signs combined with the planets. The glorious Tony Banks’ like synthesizers in the middle of the song, brought back many a wonderful memory. The closing starry keyboards, saxophone, and electrical guitar soloing, was the perfect way to close the album.
Spriggan Mist’s The Glare is over 43 minutes of mysteries and fables that will fill your day with spirit, light, magic, and nostalgia. It will take you back to a time, when we all had the time to enjoy the mysteries of the natural world around us. Take this journey with Spriggan Mist; and let your mind be free of all the hate and trouble of our current world and have some fun, in the world of Faery tales in the Faery Wood. This is the perfect distraction and place to go, when all around seems foreign and unnatural. Do yourself some good and buy and listen to Spriggan Mist’s The Glare. Then, if you live close enough, go see them on tour, to experience this music live and full of magic.
Album Track List:
1. (Intro) The Gaze of The Dragon – (1.42)
2. Ianatores Teresteres – (6.50)
3. Pieces of Glass – (7.53)
4. Faery Wood – (6.29)
5. Crystal Cave – (7.09)
6. The Cult – (5.59)
7. When Stars Collide – (7.38)
Spriggan Mist’s The Glare, was composed by: Spriggan Mist. The album was recorded, mixed, mastered and produced by Aaron Cilia, at Summit Production Services @Westbrook Studios. Artwork: Fay Brotherhood. Graphic Design: Brianna Cilia. Photography: Andrew Merritt ©.
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://sprigganmist.bandcamp.com/album/the-glare-16-bit
https://www.facebook.com/www.sprigganmist.co.uk
YouTube and Music Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMzWEQfbeAbqHlcloLXWt9Q