Much of the liner notes of "Tales" don't make too much sense, nor in fact do the lyrics, but the idea that "The Ancient" tries to take a long view on human history seems to ring true. The music, really original, seems to capture something of the route from the primeval ape-man to culture, the struggle between natural and dimly intellectual forces, and the violence unleashed. It could've been the soundtrack to a "Mammoth Huntsmen" movie.
Then the mood swings, Steve changes his electric guitar for a Spanish acoustic and delivers this beautiful solo and segues into a song that seems to look back on some modern outbreak of primal violence, chaos and evil. I couldn't say exactly what is in it, but the "Leaves of Green" bit, which the band have performed on its own now and then, poses a set of reflective, mournful questions and ultimately seems to turn back to a belief in some sort of reconciliation: the iamges are Christian (the child and the lamb) or animistic (the tree, the "movement" - I think he means the sky, the firmament).
All in all, really unique and one of the most powerful tracks they've ever recorded.
Much of the liner notes of "Tales" don't make too much sense, nor in fact do the lyrics, but the idea that "The Ancient" tries to take a long view on human history seems to ring true. The music, really original, seems to capture something of the route from the primeval ape-man to culture, the struggle between natural and dimly intellectual forces, and the violence unleashed. It could've been the soundtrack to a "Mammoth Huntsmen" movie.
Then the mood swings, Steve changes his electric guitar for a Spanish acoustic and delivers this beautiful solo and segues into a song that seems to look back on some modern outbreak of primal violence, chaos and evil. I couldn't say exactly what is in it, but the "Leaves of Green" bit, which the band have performed on its own now and then, poses a set of reflective, mournful questions and ultimately seems to turn back to a belief in some sort of reconciliation: the iamges are Christian (the child and the lamb) or animistic (the tree, the "movement" - I think he means the sky, the firmament). All in all, really unique and one of the most powerful tracks they've ever recorded.