Australia's Tarot self-released a couple of very strong '70s inspired hard rock & prog albums a few years back, but they've recently hooked up with the acclaimed Cruz Del Sur label for their latest platter Glimpse of the Dawn. All of those vintage elements are back in spades here on this new release; the glorious twin guitar harmonies, the analog keyboards, the muscular riffs, and the memorable vocal melodies. Bits of Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ash, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, UFO, Thin Lizzy, and underground '80s epic metal darlings Warlord are evident, but Tarot have worked hard at using their influences to create their own sound. The opening title track is fantastic, and sounds like it came out of a time capsule from 1972. "The Winding Road" is even better, the vocal harmonies glorious, the guitars so tasty, the keys atmospheric, and "Leshey's Warning" blends folk-rock with bluesy hard rock muscle (think Argus era Wishbone Ash), plus a little flute thrown in over the top. For "Echoes Through Time", the heavy riffing and hard-charging Hammond comes out to play, and you get more of that dark, heavy Heep/Purple vibe on "The Vagabond's Return" as well. One of my favorites is the majestic 'Dreamer in the Dark", a hard-rocking but atmospheric prog number containing some of the most compelling keyboard and guitar passages on the album, littered with delicate acoustic guitar patterns that play up well against the crunchy riffs and twin harmonies. Closer "Heavy Weighs the Crown" rocks hard, and is again saturated with huge heavy rock riffing and fiery Hammond organ, plus a little Mellotron for good measure.
This is a kick-ass album from Tarot, and being paired up with Cruz Del Sur should help get them the exposure they really need. If you love '70s heavy rock and prog, you need to hear Glimpse of the Dawn, one of the standout albums of 2024.
Track Listing
1.
Glimpse Of The Dawn 05:15
2.
The Winding Road 04:50
3.
Leshy's Warning 05:13
4.
Echoes Through Time 04:38
5.
The Harrier 02:14
6.
The Vagabond's Return 05:50
7.
Dreamer In The Dark 06:43
8. Heavy Weighs the Crown
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