Jim Kirkwood Foxhalt Edge Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband   Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'In the Court of the Stag Head God') Please go to the Store to buy this item.

Spooky swirling misty sounds provide an ominous but laid back start to 'In the Court of the Stag Head God'. We then get some fizzing dramatic stabs of sound, a pause for ethereal sighing effects, them more stabs. It is as if evil is afoot, pouncing on the unwary. Real manic organ playing then comes in making an already gothic sounding track even darker. After another pause things really do go ape, crashing drums pounding out as the organ playing becomes even more frenzied over wordless choir effects. This must be some of the most dramatic music Jim has ever composed- and that is saying something. Absolutely brilliant!

We descend once more to atmospherics. It is as if we are alone on a war-ravaged moorland, little touches of virtual guitar shimmering over the top like the spirits of the long dead. A typical Kirkwood 'into battle' type sequence starts up soon followed by another and in no time at all we are careering at light speed over mountain and plain. Again the excitement level is incredibly high and it just gets better and better as crazed flashing lead lines thunder and flash over the top. The soloing would have to be pretty incredible to compete for your attention with sequences of this class but compete they most certainly do. At around the fourteen minute mark there is a change of mood with new sequences, subtler (but wonderfully programmed) drums and new but equally as devastating leads. We have headed off in a new direction but without an iota reduction in the excitement level. Indeed my pulse has been racing for so long now it surely can't be good for me! And there is no let up as in the seventeenth minute a new deep sequence comes in accompanied by demonic utterances and venom spitting sonic growls.

Five minutes later the awesome organ playing from earlier returns then more wonderful Kirkwood sequences as we blast through almost right to the end of the almost half our track. 'Blood on the Plough' starts subtly with quiet looped percussion. This fades away and is replaced by mournful but stunningly beautiful cello. A slow quirky rhythm starts up like a deranged soul stumbling sightless through a deserted village. In the sixth minute powerful sequences are added as if over the top of all the surrounding hills spew more mindless entities. Flashing solos make things even more dramatic as if sabre-wielding forces are resisting the mindless tide. As you can see Jim's music creates the most amazing mental images! There is then a sudden change as we return through swirling mist to the wasteland.

Angelic choir effects give a touch of mystery. A superb loping rhythm is added as the pace starts to pick up once more given added impetus with the introduction of a chugging sequence. I couldn't resist picking up imaginary drumsticks for a good air drumming session! The rhythms become too complex for me to keep up with but as a blistering lead line comes in I simply change to air keyboard instead. It is yet another superb track where one exciting moment leaves just to make room for the next. I loved it.

'The Other Village (The one no one can see)'is the shortest track on the album and is a very different kettle of fish to the previous fifty-five minutes of mayhem. After a rather celestial / symphonic opening lovely little peaceful melodies come in soothing our fevered brow and staying with us until the end.