Taliesin: Disciple

Hailing from Canberra, Australia, Disciple is the third album from Taliesin, an outfit who in many ways know exactly how to build a mood and an atmosphere. From the stunning album art and manipulated band shots where the five guys involved look like fantasy game characters - and not the good guys I may add - to the sprawling but heavy set plays this album contains, this band have gone all in on Disciple.

More importantly they have the goods to back up the cool set-up, a progressive metal base used to create a sound that while clearly influenced by some of the heavyweights of that scene, is never simple re-creation. What helps proceedings is the excellent vocals from Dave Howe, his droning but melodic tones adding a 90s feel in the vein of Alice In Chains, but musically that’s not what’s on the agenda. Guitar players (and both play keyboards as well) Richard Moseley and Reuben Durham know their way around a chunky riff and some scintillating solos, but in essence there’s a songs over chops ethos that I can fully get onboard with. These guys can play, we know it, they know, so let’s not spend half the album dwelling on it.

Along with that Alice In Chains like shimmer, where Taliesin head takes in ideas and styles as diverse as Black Sabbath in the Tony Martin era, Symphony X, Evergrey and a few hints of Lillian Axe - that much misunderstood late 80s/early 90s (and current) outfit who were wrongly lumped in with the ‘hair’ scene but who are in fact a much more nuanced, intricate and heavier beast. Mixing all of those aspects together Disciple becomes a stronger amalgam for having the confidence to follow its own path, the title track a mighty, brooding opener, while “Custom Of The Sea� lands with a real authority. Arguably the best track on show closes this album out, “The Road� illustrating the authoritative drumming from Wayne Bateup quite brilliantly as bassist Chris Turk helps build the mighty foundations from which this excellent 6 minute journey springs forth. With clever use of keyboards on the likes of the slow-grower “Every Time I Close My Eyes�, the sound right across Disciple is rich, full and inviting without being too eager to welcome you in - something that ensures that “God Damn Lies� and its Lillian Axe like tight vocal harmonies and “Blindfolded� sound as fresh the tenth time you’ve heard them as they were the first time round.

Being completely honest, I’d never heard of Taliesin prior to this and while I’m late to the party on this album, the fact that they also have more music to go back and explore is a thought to relish. If it’s all as good as what’s presented here we are in for a hell of a ride.

Track Listing
1. Disciple
2. C.O.T.E
3. Custom Of The Sea
4. God Damn Lies
5. Every Time I Close My Eyes
6. Frustration
7. Blindfolded
8. Burnt
9. The Road

Added: May 24th 2024
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Taliesin @ bandcamp
Hits: 725
Language: english

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