TEN: The Twilight Chronicles

Cover	Release	Style
	2006-08-25	Epic melodic rock
	Label
	Frontiers
	Website
	Ten
	Contact
	-
	Playing Time	Cat. N°
	73:43	FR CD 299
	Review by	Rating
	Edwin	8,5/10
nederlands	Review
There was a time when Gary Hughes was churning out albums as if his life depended on it, be it with TEN, solo, or as writer/producer for MAGNUM vocalist Bob Catley’s solo albums. This wasn’t always the best choice, as the quality started to dwindle a bit after a while. The last couple of years, he has been somewhat less prolific, and it shows. The Twilight Chronicles is a great record, which should put TEN on the map again. Last year, longtime bassist Steve McKenna and drummer Greg Mogan left the band and haven’t been replaced yet. Today, TEN is Gary Hughes, Paul Hodson (keyboards) and guitarists Chris Francis and John Halliwell. Francis also supplies the bass parts, while the drums are played by session player Frank Basile. Fans of the much-praised Spellbound album might be a bit disappointed, as The Twilight Chronicles is definitely a lot less heavy – the emphasis is more on the melodies and less on the heavy guitar riffs that made Spellbound such a powerhouse record. Which is not to say that the new album is not a good one – in fact, it’s more of an interesting mix between the melodic rock/AOR of the first album and the epic grandeur of The Name Of The Rose, which still happen to be my two favourite TEN albums. There are also more resemblances to the Bob Catley albums Hughes wrote and produced than to mid-period TEN. Hughes’s vocals may be somewhat of an acquired taste, but I for one have acquired it! I love this man’s smooth voice. Chris Francis has always had the very difficult task of filling Vinny Burns’s shoes, but he does so brilliantly. His guitar tone fits the music perfectly and his solos are awesome. Favourites are the bombastic epic ‘Rome’, which is introduced by a very filmic prologue. ‘Chronicles’ is a typical TEN track, but features some excellent backing vocals which do give the song an extra boost. ‘The Elysian Fields’ and ‘This Heart Goes On’ are typical Hughes ballads; great, although they sound perhaps a bit too close to some earlier songs for comfort. ‘Oblivion’ is a MAGNUM-like, commercial track, which is a bit of a departure from the classic TEN sound. Other highlights are ‘Born To The Grave’ and the heartfelt ‘When This Night Is Done’. Another great album for TEN.
Musicians
Gary Hughes: Vocals Chris Francis: Guitars, bass John Halliwell: Guitars Paul Hodson: Keyboards Frank Basile: Drums
Tracklist
I - The Prologue (The Elysian Fields – Part I) II - Rome The Chronicles The Elysian Fields Hallowed Ground This Heart Goes On Oblivion The Twilight Masquerade Tourniquet Born To The Grave I – When This Night Is Done II – The Epilogue (The Last Moments Before Dawn)
Discography
Ten (1996) The Name Of The Rose (1996) The Robe (1997) Never Say Goodbye (1998 – live) Spellbound (1999) Babylon (2000) Far Beyond The World (2001) Return To Evermore (2004) The Essential Collection (2006 – re-recordings) The Twilight Chronicles (2006)


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