Multi-instrumentalist Colin Powell, under his solo project name of A Multitude of One, has just produced another lovely symphonic/melodic prog concept album called A Templar’s Tale. He has dabbled with history, myths and legends in previous releases, but this time he takes us back to the time of the Crusades and the rise and fall of the order of the Knights Templar. The result is an impressively coherent, storytelling concept, incorporating songs, instrumentals and spoken narration, where Colin does everything!
Colin has been performing music since the late 60s and has played and collaborated in numerous bands and with many other musicians since then (such as with Doug Woods). The Salford-based musician and composer may be primarily a talented guitarist (his playing on the latest Nova Cascade album, Box Man), but he can equally turn his hand to keyboards and programming as well. He even hosts a monthly internet radio show on One World Music Radio called PROGalchemy. Is there anything the man cannot do?
![Colin Powell [A Multitude Of One]](https://theprogressiveaspect.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Colin-Powell.jpg)
All 12 tracks were composed and performed by Colin, and recorded, mixed and mastered in Logic Pro on an M2 Mac Mini computer, and the resulting music and overall concept are stunning in their ambition and a true labour of love. In many ways the album is a classic throwback to those glorious, orchestrated symphonic prog rock albums from Rick Wakeman in the early-70s and onwards. However, there are echoes of Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds, early Alan Parsons Project, right up to the storytelling albums produced by Clive Nolan and others in recent years.
The result is a concept album rich in accessible and commercial rock music structures but entwined within orchestral and choral splendour – with engaging and detailed lyrical content. It is the story that is at the very heart of this release, with the music instrumentation complementing the lyrics, whether sung or narrated, rather than dominating them. This is a flowing but restrained progressive rock album – prog with a small ‘p’ if you like – where you never sense Colin’s virtuosic playing overshadows the narrative, as the fictional knight, Sir Geoffrey de Beaumont, takes us on a fascinating journey through Europe and on to the Holy Land. There are lovely moments of ‘progginess’ throughout, especially Colin’s intricate guitar work, and sumptuous symphonic flurries that take flight and provide an epic feel to the tale. However, this is an album that flows easily over the listener and allows you to immerse yourself fully in this riveting period of history for an hour and a quarter.
The Tale Begins is an instrumental that opens the album in a fresh, upbeat and accessible fashion, with melodic guitar lines over a simple, shuffling rhythm, with some light and airy keyboards joining later, prior to choral effects adding a conceptual grandeur by the end. However, the narrative truly begins with The Dawn of the Templars, as Colin’s pleasing vocals drive the story of the creation of the brotherhood of the Knights Templar. It glides easily enough, with electric guitar propelling the music, with some well-integrated and supporting keyboards later in the closing instrumental section. A more thoughtful and solemn ambience pervades Footsteps to Jerusalem, as we follow the pilgrims travelling through Europe to the Holy Land, on a journey fraught with danger, but accompanied by the knights. Soft, dreamy synthesiser sounds are complemented by acoustic guitar and piano, with the vocals capturing the long and exhausting pilgrimage being made, with an easy-going, understated beat picking up midway and a flowing, lyrical electric guitar solo later on. Once again, the choral and orchestral effects bring a majesty to proceedings and give that tantalising echo to the concept albums of Rick Wakeman’s classic albums, such as Journey… and King Arthur in particular.
The Sacred Oath is one of my favourite pieces of music from the album, with a warmth and charm brought by soothing keyboards, acoustic guitar and some lovely, harmonised vocals, giving it a retro, English Rock Ensemble character. A gently paced rhythm flows beneath the orchestral/choral effects and Colin delivers not one, but two, wonderfully melodic guitar solos – the first uplifting, spiritual and dreamy; the second more pensive, darker and contemplative. Soft piano introduces Stone and Gold, as lyrically we are told the order gradually builds their influence, power and wealth, through their stone castles and fortresses throughout the lands and their amassing of great riches. Whilst Colin understandably romanticises the Templars’ faith, chivalry and valour – even now the poetic lyrics hint that their dominance and power might eventually seal their fate in the future. There are welcome pick-ups in tempo later on, and some vibrant guitar playing and touches of organ, to break things up, along with a short, but rich guitar solo to close.
Whilst these first five tracks provide the story’s background and overall context, the heart of the album is undoubtedly the songs that describe the conflict between Christianity and Islam and the religious conflict that ensued. An Unholy War is an instrumental that gradually builds in intensity and dynamism – propelled by some well-judged, soaring guitar themes rising over a sweeping keyboard wash and chiming motifs. It is a chance for Colin to flex his prog rock sensibilities and guitar playing skills, but he restricts the temptation to cut loose and over-dramatize the musical interplay, by maintaining the steady rhythmic tempo throughout.
The three-part epic, The Battle of Acre, summarises the series of conflicts between the Christian forces and the Muslim army under Saladin at the height of the Third Crusade. Prelude begins with infectious stabs of keyboard chords and more forceful drum patterns. However, this changes as a rich, spoken narration describes in detail the subsequent historical events of the Siege of Acre, as both sides prepare for battle. This is a clear contrast to Colin’s sung vocals of the earlier tracks and provides a real sense of gravitas to the storyline. Piano and synthesisers add to the sense of anticipation, before the initial keyboard-driven theme is reprised. An emotive, Eastern-tinged female vocal adds to the atmosphere of a sun-scorched battlefield and towering stone fortress before rich orchestration and timpani percussion build up the tension for The Battle. This section begins with widescreen, cinematic and symphonic sweeps and the drums of war. Yet, as the battle begins, the narration is accompanied by delicate piano and a background wash of keyboards, and it feels like we are observing the battle in slow motion. The forcing open of Acre’s gate sees the return of the incessant ‘Bolero’-like percussion and orchestral splendour and drama, before a sad piano-led coda contemplates the true cost of war at the end of the battle. It is a rather affecting moment. The Aftermath continues the sombre and reflective mood, with repeating piano patterns intertwining with the string-like synthesisers. The descriptive power of the lyrics are as important here as the luxuriant progressive rock sounds that accompany them, but it is left to some heartfelt and poignant guitar soloing to emphasise the melancholic ambience. Overall, Colin can be very proud of this symphonic prog epic indeed.
The remaining three tracks tell of what became of the Templars in the years that followed. The Grand Master tells of the rise of a new leader of the Templars against a backdrop of the defeats of the Third Crusade and the decline in their power and influence in the Christian world. Jacques de Molay was destined to be the final leader of the order. There is some gorgeous and evocative guitar work on this song and sense of hope and defiance, before the musical soundscape takes on a darker tone – a portent to what is to follow in The 13th Day. Singing and narration alternate as we hear the story of the fall of the Templars and how rumour, conspiracy and the pursuit of power and wealth led to de Molay and the French Templars being arrested on Friday, October 13th, 1305, on the orders of King Philip IV of France. It is an interesting chapter in European history worthy of further exploration by listeners to the album. The lyrics outline the false accusations, forced confessions under torture and subsequent dissolution of the order and the execution of many of the knights that followed, with the eventual support of Pope Clement V for the actions the final blow to the order. There is some nice musical touches behind the vocals and narration, with the guitar providing many highpoints, although Colin’s burst of ‘Wakemanesque’ keyboards later on, equally impresses.
Despite the inherent tragedy of this tale, there is a positivity to be discovered from it, which follows through on the final song, The Legacy of the Templars. Opening with a serene, single chorister’s voice over delicate piano, the music and vocals outline the enduring legacy of these noble knights in the world of today, although it contrasts with the sad, reflective final narration covering the demise of the knights by flame and sword. It is a bittersweet but affecting and epic rounding off of the album – mixing moments of dynamic power with melodic and symphonic delicacy through to the very end.
Single-handedly, Colin has produced a musical gem of an album with a refreshingly accessible musical and lyrical tapestry with a lot of cross-over appeal beyond symphonic prog fans. The accompanying 44-page illustrated medieval-style booklet (available from Bandcamp) is a lovely companion to the music as you listen to the tale that gradually unfolds, and its holistic charms deserve a much wider audience for this conceptual ‘tour de force.’ I’m certainly hooked, and with another album, The Book of Enoch, coming out this Summer, I heartedly recommend giving this album a listen on Bandcamp in the weeks to come!
TRACK LISTING
01. The Tale Begins (4:39)
02. The Dawn of the Templars (5:11)
03. Footsteps to Jerusalem (6:33)
04. The Sacred Oath (8:16)
05. Stone and Gold (5:54)
06. An Unholy War (4:40)
07. The Battle of Acre – Prelude (5:02)
08. The Battle of Acre – The Battle (6:07)
09. The Battle of Acre – The Aftermath (5:22)
10. The Grand Master (3:49)
11. The 13th Day (9:15)
12. The Legacy of the Templars (10:05)
Total Time – 74:53
MUSICIANS
Colin Powell – All Instruments
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 7th February 2025
LINKS
A Multitude Of One – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube
