Gryphon - Red Queen To Gryphon Three Gryphon

Red Queen To Gryphon Three is an instrumental album consisting of four long pieces apparently inspired by a game of chess.The music draws heavily from medieval, Renaissance and folk influences, with the band using bassoon, crumhorn and recorders alongside keyboards including piano, organ and synths, as well as electric and acoustic guitars, drums and percussion. The result is a unique sound: lilting, highly melodic and, even during the more electronic passages, still retaining a strong medieval atmosphere.

Despite these historical influences, this is firmly a progressive rock record, albeit one that uses unusual instrumentation and themes. For fans of electronic keyboards, there are several bursts of synth throughout. Each composition stretches to around ten minutes and could easily be broken into multiple smaller movements.

For progressive rock historians, it was the success of Red Queen To Gryphon Three that gave Gryphon the opportunity to support Yes on their US tour in 1974. A monster of a record: dense, intricate and made for mature ears.

Red Queen To Gryphon Three is available as a limited numbered edition of 750 copies on 180 gram translucent blue coloured vinyl.