The Book of Revelations – ‘The Plumes of Enceladus’ is a very interesting release and is the brainchild of one Gerard Freeman who has, for many years, wanted to make an album in which he could entertain his version of early Genesis music. He has done this mainly on his own but with some assistance from Russ Wilson of Genesis tribute act Visible Touch.
Gerard became entranced by the music of Genesis after playing his older brother’s record collection and seeing Curved Air in Sheffield in 1971. He uses samples of vintage keyboards, synths Mellotrons etc. to craft a truly authentic sound, indeed so well constructed and performed is this music that one could believe that you have discovered a hitherto unknown or unreleased Genesis album. Gerard also has a very Gabriel-esque vocal style along with elements of Fish.
Overall this record is captivating, being the best Genesis album you’ve never heard. If imitation is the finest form of flattery then Gerard has triumphed here for sure, he even has the lyrical style of Steve Hackett and the dexterity of Anthony Phillips in the guitar parts. There is more than a passing nod to the likes of ‘The Geese And The Ghost’ with its beautifully layered sound and its overall lightness of touch, it really is most impressive stuff.
The main theme of the album is that of Greek Myology and the tales of Zeus, brothers Prometheus and Epimetheus and Pandora and their tales of destruction and control. The story is not simple and I found it hard to follow. With its subplots of violence, torture and incest, it’s like an prog episode of Eastenders, just with a progressive music soundtrack rather than the Mitchell brothers infighting and it has sections of great intricacies and beauty that really draw you in.
The keyboard work is obviously very Tony Banks influenced and it shows with lots of delicate sections and big chords and sounds. Good use of sampled analogue equipment gives an authentic sound and feel to the music too. Greek mythology was a big part of early Genesis music as the classical trained public schoolboys used that form as an inspiration for much of their earlier years. So this theme works well for Gerrard, it’s like an updated sonically improved version of what had gone before. As a teenager Gerard and his friend transcribed ‘The Musical Box’ and in doing so learnt it’s composition. This was all pre-internet and was very laborious work, it was also very rewarding and satisfying to him and Gerard has redrafted music in a similar style and vein.
The album has seven tracks, the first five form a suite called Malice À Forethought (a cautionary tale in five parts), there’s another track titled Love Letter from a Newspaper to a Coffee Shop and a further, four part, concept piece entitled The Chthonic Deities Of Vengeance, which is a really great multi-part piece of over eighteen minutes duration and has a real whiff of Supper’s Ready to it. The song has a very dark tone to it but that just adds to its intensity as it uses Mellotrons and synths to fine effect, along with an epic and skilled keyboard break that has distinct echoes of Firth Of Fifth. It is beautifully delivered, although it lacks the majestic guitar solo that elevates that particular song. This track does have a lot going for it, it is sweeping, epic and very good indeed.
The album’s title was taken from a space related program that Gerard saw where they discovered water in an ice form on one of Jupiter’s moons, Enceladus and, Gerard being interested in that sort of thing, made note of it as a possible title for the album.
This is a great album and one that I am sure many would relish as it has a slew of treats in a style many would enjoy and embrace.Apparently there is more planned but for now, sit back, embrace and enjoy this rather exquisite epic music as there are such excellent passages and sections to this amazing album. It has a good booklet with lyrics to follow as you listen and excellent artwork. In all, this is a classy album and one I would highly recommend to all.
Released 21st April, 2023.
Order the album here:
The Book of Revelations – The Plumes of Enceladus (slinky.to)