The highly respected Troy Donockley, who has played with Iona and Nightwish, whilst still finding time to release some excellent solo albums, adds his trademark Celtic touches of bagpipes and flutes. To complete the scene the album’s artwork includes original photographs from the expedition.
This is an album so atmospheric that it will literally have you feeling the icy cold blast of the Antarctic. The album opens with a brief explanation from Ian Dickinson before “Departure” releases the joy and anticipation felt as the Endurance sets sail. Troy Donockley adds great swathes of celtic colour and as the album opens, and the ship leaves, you are literally swept away too.
“The Challenge” sees the entrance of Billy Sherwood who adds further detail to the background to a story that already has me hooked. “Grytviken Whaling Station” creates a powerful image of one of the most inhospitable places on the planet. From this point on the going would get even tougher.
By now I am wondering what type of person would even contemplate undertaking such a journey which stares death literally in the face. It is the place for heroes and there was none bigger than Shackleton who despite every conceivable setback succeeded in saving his crew.
Whilst losing yourself in the story it is easy to overlook the quality of the musicianship and song writing on offer. “Heading South” underlines both and leads nicely into the moment where the expedition suffered a near fatal disaster during the self explanatory “Icebound”. This is a track so haunting that it will literally have you shivering in the imaginary cold.
The joyful jig that is “Plenty Of Time” leaves you almost able to see the crew downing what is left of any rum that they may have saved. “Going Home” again features the excellent vocals of Billy Sherwood. The determined “Into The Lifeboats” marks the point where the crew abandon their sinking ship with little hope of survival. That word survival soon becomes the main driving force.
Article comments