Gary Hughes and his buddies in Ten are becoming quite prolific in their output. Coming a short time after the rather marvellous Isla De Muerta is an EP entitled The Dragon and Saint George named after the track of the same name on Isla. That’s on the EP together with three previously unreleased cuts, Albion Born (off the Albion album) and We Can Be as One, the bonus track of Isla.
On top of the songs, the sleeve notes are expansive including not only the lyrics – also Hughes giving the run-down on all the stuff on the EP and the Isla de Muerta album. So there is a lot here.
I wanted to include a video of one of the cuts though couldn’t find one on YouTube. Instead, here’s one of them performing The Robe at Firefest in 2014. Should give you an idea of what Ten are about. One of their classics.
The Dragon and Saint George is one of the strongest songs on Isla de Muerta. A typical grandiose, atmospheric, symphonic pacey rocked up epic in the Hughes style with blistering guitar breaks and an infectious chorus. Of course it tells the story of that mythical meetings between said dragon and said saint.
Then in to the previously unreleased stuff. No filler here. All three songs more than worthy of a place on any album. Musketeers – Soldiers of the King is another sweeping epic melodic rocker with plenty of bite this time in the Three Musketeers mode. Nobody does historical epics like Ten. A square hit in the bullseye. A proper Ten classic.
Is There Anyone With Any Sense and The Prodigal Saviour complete the unreleased trio. Two more strong melodic rockers of a more straight ahead variety. Top stuff indeed as is Albion born which is another expansive, sweeping historical-themed rocker.
A high class EP which serves as a fine introduction to Ten if you are not familiar with them. Or fans like me, a “must have” not for the sake of it but because those three unreleased songs are so good.
A recommended purchase for the fan of high class epic melodic rock with a kick to it. Those three guitars know how to tear it up.
>> CHECK OUT THE DRAGON AND SAINT GEORGE HERE <<
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