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The Horror Show (2013)

by Ian Gordon

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Sven B. Schreiber (sbs)
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Sven B. Schreiber (sbs) Tired of prog monotony? This album might spark your interest again! It's really much better than I'd expected... I was afraid that this 2-hour mammut, starting out with three 21-minute epics, might turn out to be a real horror show. However, it's quite a diverting opus, mainly due to Ian Gordon being a very gifted and versatile composer, who is aquainted with several diverse genres. On this album, clever songwriting meets massive (and most of the time typically "proggy") arrangements, heavy on vintage keyboards and roaring guitars. Favorite track: Ride.
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1.
i. above the waves narrative a crew set sail unto stormy seas fifteen men, intent to explore the world 1785 was the year and their time had come to seek their fortune on the seven seas but out in the night they sailed blind in the storm anxious, desperate and lost fear it held them in a depressing suspense unprepared for what was to come... ii. the storm breaking the waves with the bow of the ship the men are aware of the rain the deck under darkness the thunder the crash the storm it descends from the sky fingers are pointing the crew passing blame lost through no fault of their own no omen no warning just the eye of the storm these men they can't ever go home harris pass me the glass i will climb up the mast i'm braver than most as you know into the sky i will climb rain or shine in search of a place to lie low captain godson sooner or later we will find a stretch of land onward we will venture till the ship it runs aground the clouds above will dissipate the storm will run its course beyond the golden arch of dawn all will be understood o'leary dissipate... dissipate... thunder crash... thunder crash... understood... understood... harris listen to the captain i don't believe he's to blame for i have seen through the looking glass... land ahoy! iii. the uncharted isle the storm subsides as land approaches trees and birds abound a tropical island under sky blue greets the desperate crew murphy food and water! shelter from the sun! thorne safe from danger! life has just begun! gathering strength now sickly pirates they wade ashore to the beach the golden sand is warm and soothing on their aching feet captain godson deathly silent is this place we've found keep your wits about you when the sun goes down the crewmen are lying on the sand the captain is searching for a path overland the ship it is anchored rocking to and fro it's vacant empty of life will it remain this way forever? o'leary silence... silence... oh so silent... peace and quiet... captain godson fortune glory age-old story riches we will seek... iv. the forgotten world narrative night fell on the beach and with it a moonbeam illuminating a hidden trail leading deep into the trees the captain led his crew within where they discovered an ancient, secret cave curious and without fear they ventured forth into the darkness of a forgotten world... captain godson light your torches gather round into the cove into the hidden dark now... fifteen men march in single file their footsteps take them deeper underground face to face with darkness torches light the passageway strange depictions carved in rock display a long forgotten race ancient stone smooth as bristol blue a distant temple in the deepest gloom beams of light cascade and fall upon a tower of broken bones beyond the temple waits in silence deep beneath the real a wooden door beholds them now they stand alert the building here in deepest darkness it fills their minds with doubt v. the temple of laztozia the captain spots a burning candle it flickers in the shade a disembodied spectre speaks from far beyond the grave spectre extinguish the candle and lower the lights for we've been gifted the eyes of night and we are many within these halls we wait to take away your burdens in the dark we dream of life in flesh torches dimmed now the door it opens the captain leads his men into the dark there shapes are brought to life awash with polychromatic light revealing a maze of corridors murphy where to go from here? the spectre faintly heard in the distance beckons with its cold breath captain godson the time has come we've got a make a choice do we trust a stranger's word? thorne if jewels await us pearls and diamonds then trust my friend is theirs! harris i don't understand what we're doing here captain it's out of control! can we really trust these voices? o'leary trust... trust... trust... spectre you must find us! you must help us! trapped! we can't get out of here! - the change - deeper into the heart of the maze the dream of their fortune it fades the pirates are fearful they're desperate and lost in need of a way to escape captain godson hear my words i speak to you god's honest truth! vigilance will serve you well until the end... and they can see a distant glimmer of light in the depths of the maze up ahead a chamber filled with sheets of colourful glass a place undisturbed by time spectre welcome to our special place within the glass we live and breathe and here we've been for far too long so cold within the glass... vi. the chamber light reflects from pane to pane the shapes within are on the move again spectre crack the surface smash the glass share the future share the past arms in the air the men are ready to strike the shapes beneath the glass are frozen now ready to join again the land of men to walk beside them on a summer's day narrative with steel and stone they strike the glass cracks are formed and the spectres gasp the faceless figures cry out in pain as the glass it shatters and the spooks escape an empty silence falls upon them deathly figures rise from the shards and splinters disembodied blind and clutching twisted features a pirate's nightmare harris look to your left - look to your right it seems that we are surrounded captain godson what is it that we have unleashed? are we doomed to the same fate as they? harris caught in the storm bait on the sea prey for the devils and serpents captain godson run for your lives! leave me here in the dark! this is your final chance! take it now and go! vii. escape they fell into the kaleidoscope they strayed too far they fell into the kaleidoscope they saw too much harris looking back those things i saw was it a dream? i look at the mirror there i see my face but is it really me? i'll never really know... - ? - captain godson i can see a thousand faces staring back at me no sky just dark there's no redemption no escape for me locked up tight in artificial light a slave to greed a slave to hate a slave to entropy
2.
i. the absent season i dream of winter snowflakes falling from the broken skies of earth the season it is absent not a trace of my home world my winter my season my life under snow exists within a memory of a world i used to know i open up the door and step into a dusty plain i'm on my way my eyes they are wide open i will find the land of ice and snow somehow the skies reflect the colour of the sunrise on midsummer's day my destination clear to me in my heart i'm almost there ii. the wanderer the days are short as i roam the earth through barren streets and moonlight parades a dreamer dances in the twilight glow nervously she shows me the way from slim back streets to the open highway she's showing me rural roads through foliage and hedge high into the night's eye waving she sends me north the nights are long and the plains are dark approaching a village serene a quiet community of 'winter seekers' exchanging their knowledge and hopes townsfolk welcome stranger join with us - commitment - "maybe i'll return some day i walk this road alone today maybe you will do the same but this has always been my fate" iii. the climb townsfolk are so strange autumn faces mock truth they seek need as great as mine townsfolk feather winged creatures take your north of here the catacombs of wisdom take you to the snow my memories are fading as the rain it lashes down the duty to my soul inside i'm clutching the mountainside is closing in i know i must ascend above a plateau must await a land of purest snow i need to see snowflakes falling from the sky up and up the mountainside i climb i'm holding on up and up the mountainside i'm climbing to the top iv. phantoms of the storm dreaming of the wonder of what lies on the other side of this mountain i can only hope it's what i'm searching for wintertime a secret kept for far too long i pray that the truth it will present itself i'll wish the rain away all for love all for truth soon i'll see when all is dark and lost inside i'll find my refuge in the snow a place to live and to call my own my home is sub zero everything i ever had it was stolen in a single day my life begins today when all is dark and lost inside i'll find my refuge in the snow a place to live and to call my own my home is sub zero everything i hope to gain it is hinging on this dark campaign my life begins today the clouds above closing in anticipating death to see what lies beyond this mountain the terror fills my head tomorrow may be different but today i know my fate the storm is coming straight for me to tear my world apart thunder claps above the clouds the summit reached i look below heavenly the sight below a snowy wonderland! v. the split the snow is heavy on the ground thick and white upon the leaves a scene from both our wildest dreams picturesque in the moonlight beams neanderthal would envy this this image of heavenly bliss where life it teams in vigilance glory to the many here luke, your name well mine is john what brought us here? our heart's desire to seek the truth i ask you why we say goodbye to our old lives it seems you're me and i am you we know now what we have to do we'll merge again here in the snow we are as one we always knew we were the skies reflect the colour of the sunrise on midsummer's day my destination clear to me in my heart i'm almost there the skies reflect the colour of the sunrise on midsummer's day and wintertime is here today in my heart it's here to stay it's here to stay!
3.
i. origins from the banks of the river came crawling a boy the memory of a past unclear in his mind the word amongst the elders, "sacred is the child" a history of conflict locked behind his eyes and now the evil in him stirs elders will we pray for you? to make your dreams come true? the boy the time has come to overrun the world ii. atrocities the boy is gathering a crowd preaching sermons under clouds slowly turning them from god and things are raining from the skies fearful people run and hide children falling prey to plagues the boy is carving out his name ancient words are on display fire invoking something strange the thing it rises from the flames it has come to take them all the boy answer to the master's call! come forth with water - enter into me rise, i bring you water - enter into me iii. foul frail, the women of his world lured into the darkness of his lair the boy drink from me you've got to drink from me! if you want to be a part of the black army! mankind it slowly ebbs away losing touch with mortal plains out of time and out of space the boy come forth with water - enter into me rise, i bring you water - enter into me iv. conclusion the dreamers are the victims they slowly fade away the last are trapped impaled upon the words of yesterday a monster lost in history remembered once again summoned in the dream of an innocent boy out in the rain echo of mankind maybe he knows maybe it shows v. beneath so much to love so much to pride so much to all we left behind so much to the dreams we used to share our forgotten hopes our forgotten words our sentiments our dying words our final thoughts upon the wings of birds flying endlessly and those empty cries when we're alone at night the rolling clouds in the summer skies the winter night is locked away on distant shores forever aloof and when the time it comes at last i'll look to you with a tearful gasp the broken man the broken child the bastard son of a burnt-out fire the son of all the son a king the son of your brother your son is free
4.
cleanse the filthy heart of me i wait for the moment to draw near i gather strength behind the trees autumn leaves come crashing down here in the haze i'm fuelled by wrath burning deep inside of me i look above and see my face in disguise i see no trace an underwhelming feeling empty is my head and so to seek the mighty high in the dark i may just find out in the public eye my bashfulness sets in - shy - my broken heart is out to play again i'm a new romantic in a sea of dreams never content with the notion that i am fulfilled inside i'm reaching out for that extra something i believe to be outside like circus angels on their tightropes thin their tiny bodies they come crashing down and only then do they realise and stop to look around come life or death they feel the need to risk it for the crowd such is life time is lost but my mind is engaged i'm playing games i'm stepping out from the trees ready to do good deeds... broken hearts are on the line again stuck in time i have to find a way all i have is on the line today something strange has got a hold on me stardust dealers sell their stolen dreams and desperate vagrants nurse their swollen knees and still i wander aimlessly i'm not the only one i'll find a place to test this dust i'll find a place to rest twilight merchants know my face they whisper my name i'm stepping out from the trees ready to do good deeds... i've lost my bottle think i'll go on home trace the face of night another day hibernate until the fear has gone something strange has got a hold of me...
5.
The Renegade 06:55
victor i’m dead in the water i’m losing the will to live life is taking me deep underground i’m dead in the water a liar i can't resist silent spectres pull me deeper down inner go to the light leave your fear behind go to the light let me show you why renegade won't play the game cause he can't take it anymore renegade don't know the way cause he can't take it anymore victor i don't remember why i don't remember where i don't remember what you said and every time i learn the truth i keep forgetting i don't believe these scars are real i’m dead in the water the mighty about to fall so i give to you the one and all dead in the water forever a pantomime silent spectres on the borderline inner go to the light leave your fear behind go to the light let me show you why renegade won't play the game cause he can't take it anymore renegade don't know the way cause he can't take it anymore victor i don't remember why i don't remember where i don't remember what you said and every time i learn the truth i keep forgetting i don't believe these scars are real inner there's a right way and a wrong way take the wrong way and you'll pay for it with more than just your life victor... inner go to the light leave your fear behind go to the light let me show you why renegade won't play the game cause he can't take it anymore renegade don't know the way cause he can't take it anymore victor i don't remember why i don't remember where i don't remember what you said and every time i learn the truth i keep forgetting i don't believe my world is real...
6.
boy i've been feeling rather strange just recently since father found that box out in the yard... mother you know better than to toy with things you don't understand! father tempting me that box it wants to show me things... narrative the box it opened and it spoke of other worlds worlds within the corners of their minds mother go to the light my darling! boy mother found a baby girl last thursday crawling through the overgrown backyard mother you should have known better than to toy with things you don't understand! father tempting me that box it wants to turn me green! father watch the child! mother watch the box! the box blessed and sacred little black box heathen movement joyful hexes - yard baby scrap -
7.
The Art 07:50
- instrumental -
8.
narrative on the road on a winter's day the rain is falling down a clap of thunder breaks the clouds as the hunters enter town a house upon a cliff's edge is the place they're out to seek a house deserted for many years a hotspot for research armed with the tools and traps to capture the most elusive ghost an educated team of students seven fearless youths the house upon the hilltop it is coming into view as the moon's abundant light cascades this night will own them soon nervous laughter on the lonesome road ancient windows stare as they approach an odour foul lingers it's hard to ignore tools in hand it's time to knock at the door hunter do you think they can see us? do you think that they're aware? will they try to foil our plans? do spectres even care? i'll start with the looking glass i'm sure they're in there somewhere let's find us some evidence let's start out downstairs... narrative darker still they're closing in an eerie silence greets them and with the sound of jingling keys a shadow moves right through them hesitant and filled with fright as the door it opens wide they step into the entrance hall none alive to wish them welcome the door behind them closes, locks now they believe that they are trapped the time for investigation has crept upon the team at last but if the laughter coming from the dining room isn't sure to scare them off what of the crippled boys and twisted girls left screaming in the basement? tattered paintings hang upon the walls broken bottles fill the empty halls silent chambers lead them to their doom ghostly strangers waiting in the gloom hunter do you think they can see us? do you think that they're aware? will they try to foil our plans? do spectres even care? i'm armed with the looking glass this time i am sure we'll find us some evidence but god what's that sound?! spectres welcome to our ancient home this place you say you've found it seems you've come to investigate we don't think that is allowed we won't perform we won't entertain we won't become the truth you've come to claim in life you leave in death you stay we simply cannot tolerate your presence you must die! narrative the team uncertain unleash their hardware the ghosts don't seem to understand the technical nature of the 21st century will serve its masters in life and death - fight - humans frozen in their tracks spirits are moving in they take the team by their throats and lock them in the dungeon ghosts you were wrong to come here your fate it is sealed to spend the bleakness of eternity in this damp, accursed human tomb narrative intently still they sit as darkness descends from up above the world beyond is all but gone what are they to do? they made a fateful mistake that day because they didn't understand the misfortune of their ways it won't be etched upon their graves words of wisdom carved upon the walls trapped in silence mouthing twisted calls exit space and time reality exit dungeon hell into the sea hunter do you think they can see us? do you think that they're aware? will they try to foil our plans? do spectres even care? i'll start with the looking glass i'm sure they're in there somewhere we'll find us some evidence i know this for sure! narrative they step into the light then fall down to the sea seven suicides it seems that it was meant to be ghostly strangers watching from their towers up above shouting and cursing the end it has come!
9.
Ride 05:53
narrative a lonely boy a soldier in the making lonely boy soon to be a man enterprising souls they should know better no one to help, to lend a guiding hand boy the change in me is striking now i’ve got to make them see somehow that the boy i used to be is far away now contemplating pastures new i’ve moved on i must seek the truth till the end we fight for freedom, peace and justice take me for a ride no you’ll never know me no you’ll never know who’s right narrative out on the plains, the sun above is blinding gun in hand he’s fighting for his life so many years he fought for liberation his head is sore, about to overload boy a flash of doubt invades my mind responsible for genocide my life is slowly slipping through my fingers look at me my eyes are blind to human rights, the laws of life they’re coming now to send me to my maker take me for a ride no you’ll never know me no you’ll never know who’s right boy listen to my heart beating out of time listen to my words falling out of time here i stand no bullet is going to put me down here am i nobody is going to take me alive… take me for a ride no you’ll never know me no you’ll never know who’s right
10.
Demigods 12:32
i. the knight narrative into the night where the scarlet moonlight it falls on the lonesome horseman man and his steed adventure he seeks from deep in the earth once sheltered his story is this: a lady awaits in a tower a mad man’s hostage and into the light the two they will ride their part in an ancient story beyond the fields of barley gold he rides beside the lake the symmetry of nature keeps anxiety at bay and in the distance mountains tall aware of his approach the knight whisper softly gentle breeze and guide me to the tower narrative in the night when the moon is slowly rising in the darkened sky the courtly knight rides into the glow in search of enterprise seeking her the lady of the manor captive way on high and there she waits the noble lone crusader is to rescue her trees surround him overhanging faces on the leaves the sense of something watching fills his heart with fearful heed creature stop! stop! gimme your gold! you’ll never pass as long as i stand! pay up! narrative the creature is old defenceless and weak an accident of nature he pulls out his blade puts an end to the beast and continues on his journey just like a scene from a dream in the dark riding blind under foliage and bark the prison forest wander astray and then the misty cavern… spectre dismount light a torch and crawl through the dirt leave a trail of prints in the mud seek your refuge from the night seek a long lost treasure! narrative captain godson trapped in glass he gives directions lost in time, a guide captain godson on unto the citadel the tower is in sight narrative light ahead it takes him west and soon enough he’s free the world beyond a place of wonder bright with blues and greens face to face with something new a vision to pursue and caught within his thoughts he’s frozen father’s words are true ghost of the knight’s father so you know the reasons know your purpose to fight for freedom, vengeance, majesty you know the quest and know your fortune the tower beyond in which you seek is host to one whose mind is madness chaos reigns in the heart of the kingdom the demigod he rules our blessed land! ii. descent narrative darkness falls across the land an end to day lights are low but birds aglow they’re burning in the rain clouds of black descending now drowning all beneath the dawn of something evil rises over land the knight what could it be?! narrative dark horizon kingdom border destination reached under darkness shrouded hero silent he’s unseen dancing shapes a burning fire ritualistic preachers faith in ancient prophecies pain and lies preacher all arise! cast the spell! feed the flames! summon forth! bring to life! death to all! narrative seven shapes in single file march around the fire cackles witches screams of mirth a call to arms a figure rises slowly from the bottom of the flames a creature filled with heat and hate has arisen from the grave preacher those eyes they see everything... narrative the preacher falls his wounds are great the knight defends his country slash the weak and sever the cruel an end to conjured demons and on we go the tower alight and up the stairs he’s climbing to rescue her the lady fair beyond the clutch of madness the knight i am your saviour you must come with me you must believe me narrative out of the tower and into the streets calm in the sunshine and over the hills the silence is golden the chaos gone the key to madness lost in time or lost in her gaze the lady here, face to face with you i give you all i have you set me free the knight destiny my search is over the journey long but here my fortune sits beside me crown in place please take me by the hand today to wander far as members of the spring! narrative but what of the demigod?

about

The Horror Show is a 2-hour collection of pure and unadulterated progressive rock: 20-minute musical explorations, keyboard solos, guitar solos, mellotron choirs, taurus bass pedals and ambiguous storytelling.

The first part, 'Folie a Deux', focuses on three 20-minute compositions (tracks 1-3). Long time collaborator, Rob Heyes, features prominently
on electric guitars, and provides additional vocals throughout.

The second part, 'Deep in the Real', is a collection of tracks I've
worked on and chipped away at on and off for over 10 years (tracks 4-10). My brother, Gary Gordon, provides bass on track 4, 'Becoming the Cause'.

Enjoy!

credits

released September 16, 2013

All songs written by Ian Gordon
Recorded, mixed and engineered by Ian Gordon
Produced by Ian Gordon

Ian Gordon - vocals, guitars, bass, keys & drums
Rob Heyes - guitars and additional vocals, tracks 1-3
Gary Gordon - bass, track 4

Gear

Cubase 7 / M-Audio Keystation / Mbox 2 / Jackson & Ibanez electric guitars / Stagg electro acoustic guitars / Rocket Music bass guitars / Marshall JMP-1 / AKG C1000S condenser mic

Cover Art

The photographs that serve as album art were taken by myself on
location in Sighisoara and Brasov, Transylvania, Romania. The 'Kaleidoscope' ocean shot was taken at Venice Beach, California and the 'In Search of Winter' scene was taken at Rochers de Naye, Montreux, Switzerland.

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Ian Gordon Manchester, UK

The works of Ian Gordon: musician, writer, that HorrorBabble guy.

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