(MMP) Two long out-of-print albums from Strangers on a Train are set to be reissued in the U.S. on December 11th and right now fans can stream both albums in full. Progstreaming is streaming the album "The Key Part I: The Prophecy" is available here, and "The Key Part II: The Labyrinth" can be heard here.
Strangers on a Train was formed in 1990 as a musical hybrid of talents comprising Clive Nolan (Arena, Pendragon, Shadowland, Caamora),Karl Groom (Threshold) and Tracy Hitchings (Landmarq). "The Key Part I: The Prophecy" (1990) is the beginning of The Key trilogy, an epic concept conceived by Clive Nolan, who also wrote all the music and lyrics. "The Prophecy" set out to be a performance album based on the strength of compositions, the skills of individual band members and a high level of emotional intensity. One could call it "chamber rock" - drawing from the roots of progressive rock, yet abandoning the unnecessary clichιs that have always attached themselves to that genre of music. "The Prophecy" contains over an hour of thoroughly composed, well thought out, brilliantly performed music - sometimes haunting, sometimes soothing, versatile in style and just plain different, which makes for a unique listening experience. Strangers on a Train quickly got a faithful following and nowadays they enjoy a cult status. They have been known to be popular amongst progressive rock fans and those accustomed with Nolan's works, as well as crossing over to a wider audience, appreciative of New Age music and Cinematic soundscapes.
A handful of gigs followed along with "The Key Part II: The Labyrinth" (1993), the much anticipated second album. The five-part, 72-minute recording features three multilayered tracks of truly epic length and two shorter tracks exhibiting a balance of instrumental and vocal work.
There were plans to record and release the third part of the trilogy. However, because of the success of the members' other bands, this has been put on hold.
"The Key Part I: The Prophecy" and "The Key Part II: The Labyrinth" were released by Metal Mind Productions on November, 5th in Europe and will be released on December 11th in USA (via MVD). The material is remastered using tube technology and released in a digipack edition.