The Prophets introduce their new album with a statement of intent: this is “a mind’s journey to places where conflicts are overcome.” What’s more: “Those who give their time will be truly blessed.” If you’re going to make a record, there’s no point in hoping people won’t notice it. There’s every point in promising rich rewards from listening, and you need to have the confidence that you are going to deliver.
Let us board the galleon and set sail with The Prophets of Zarquon and discover where our minds will journey, and if we will survive any choppy waters.
This is melodic/symphonic/cinematic prog, and it’s possible to hear vast sections as folk prog, too. There’s a warm welcome on board with the opening song – and this is a song-based album – appropriately called Galleon. Throughout the record Lord Zar makes good use of the mellotron. Given the style of the band as collective songwriters is reminiscent of the Moody Blues in places (and not every place), the iconic prog signifier of an instrument is well matched to the material.
Vocals from Roseanna immediately establish themselves as a strength of the band. Her voice is clear and strong, with real resonance. She has a wide range, singing in a low register when the song requires it, and soaring to angelic heights when that is required, which it is on many of the songs here. The band interplay well, making full use not only of the mellotron, but other keyboards, guitars, drums and bass, too. Many of the songs are given some shade with a guitar/keyboard break, before the rhythm section come forward themselves and Roseanna leads the song forward.
On Ascending many of the subtler production details enhance the song. Another comment in the sleeve notes is to “partake with a pair of headphones, glass of water, cup of tea, a glass of red wine, a joss stick or anything else that allows the mind portals to cascade through the whirlpool into the dream vortices of tomorrow.” This is an overwritten way of suggesting this album is best heard using headphones but the Prophets are not wrong. Repeated listening via headphones is the way to get the most out of this, both musically and atmospherically.
A few shorter songs are next. Ridgeway bounces along like one of Mike Oldfield’s pop songs, and Spectral Lights is a ballad that calls forward that Moody Blues reference. Although these songs are shorter, my mind began to wonder if the album needed more variety in the song structure.
To answer that thought, Pastoral begins, possibly the stand-out track on the record. Beginning with the sound of birdsong and a trebly guitar over washes of keyboard, it moves firmly into folk prog territory with both the arrangement and the lyrics. Even better, there’s a gorgeous chorus which brought back a memory of All About Eve’s single Matha’s Harbour for me. The whole project is justified by this one song alone. This could be a way forward for the Prophets.
Whisper Trees features a heavier chorus and a different mood. Just as you think you have understood these tracks, something unexpected (yet still in keeping with the overall mood) occurs, without being jarring for the sake of it.
Does every song need a chorus? Perhaps it would be worth experimenting with a few songs that are more purely atmospheric sound washes? That said, the chorus of the closing track, As Above So Below (The Plains of Morning) allows Roseanna’s wonderful voice to soar. Spine-chilling goosebumps are the result.
The work in progress video features Lord Zar conjuring sounds from the mellotron like a mad professor. He’s clearly rightly enthusiastic about the music he’s creating with his talented co-dreamers in The Prophets of Zarquon. This album is fulfilling without being over-rich. The Prophets deserve to be more widely known.
TRACK LISTING
01. Galleon (7:42)
02. Ascending (7:30)
03. Ridgeway (4:21)
04. Spectral Lights (3:58)
05. Pastoral (6:13)
06. Whirlpool (5:29)
07. Whisper Trees (4:00)
08. As Above So Below (The Plains of Morning) (6:15)
Total Time – 47:28
MUSICIANS
Roseanna Ball – Vocals
Dr Rob Shroud – Guitars
Lord Zar – Mellotron M400, Keyboards, Bass Guitar
Logica – Drums (with some help from the Lord)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 5th December 2025
DISCOGRAPHY
– Eternal Skies (2019)
– Autumn Fall (2021)
– Solstice (2022)
– Floodplain (2024)
LINKS
Prophets Of Zarquon – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | Instagram
