Quite whether it was by luck or good judgment that I discovered this 
release, I’m not sure but needless to say, I’m damned pleased I did. 
About a year or so ago I was looking for an online store to buy a 
particular album and found Caerllysi music to be my nearest stockist, 
so obviously ordered it from there. Whilst browsing their site I came 
across a competition for an album by a Ukrainian band called “Karfagen”. 
Despite them being previously unknown to me, I entered anyway and 
ultimately won. The CD arrived, thoroughly entertained me, impressing 
greatly with the musical talent on display but the lack of vocals 
somewhat detracted from the wonderfully interesting music it contained.

So it has been with great interest I have watched the story of this 
release, which is a collaboration between South Wales based Will Mackie 
of “Caerllysi Music” and Ukranian Antony Kalugin, from “Karfagen”, unfold 
within the web-site, catching sound bites and waiting for the day I could 
finally hear it in all it’s glory. Well that day is here!

Described by Will as “a journey”, “The Last Horizon”, in the greatest 
prog fashion, is a concept album following a young man’s search for his 
own identity through all of life’s trials and tribulations aided by a 
mystical “Wizeman”. To deal with the 8 tracks here individually, or single 
out just one, as a highlight, wouldn’t do justice to the flowing passages 
contained within over an hour of delightful music. There is nothing too 
self-indulgent, nothing overly challenging to the listener, just plenty 
of perfectly atmospheric keyboard/guitar driven rock. Flutes, oboes, even 
an accordion (I think) add colour to some of the quieter moments. There 
are also plenty of extended instrumental pieces, which are sufficiently 
interspersed by gentle vocals to keep my attention. In fact, I’ve found 
myself totally immersed in this on several occasions, something that I 
haven’t been able to say of many other of the genre’s recent releases.

“The Lost Horizon” is a retro-prog masterpiece, which deserves to be 
mentioned in the same breath as landmark releases from such 70’s giants 
as Camel, Genesis, Focus and Pink Floyd. If you have even a passing 
interest in this type of music, this should be in your collection, 
without a doubt.

Best of all there are promises of a continuation of this story, watch 

this space, or better still http://www.hoggwash.net/

Rock of Ages  Score : 4/5
Rock Of Ages