‘Seven Seals’ is based upon John’s Book Of Revelations from the New Testament.
This text has long been a fertile ground of general thievery for musicians and writers from all eras and genres.
I’m adding myself to that list too.
The imagery is very potent and I can see why generations of writers have all found inspiration in characters like The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the idea of some thing, some one, or some being actually bringing this world to its knees to repent on judgement day.
The original booklet had the passages from the New Testament as guidance to the music but over the last year or so, I’ve grown to dislike that idea intensely. My reasoning is based upon how that booklet looked to someone who was unaware of my artistic intent. I’m not a religious man, never have been, and so ‘Seals’ presented me with a problem of presentation. Yes, it’s based on religious text but, no, it isn’t aimed at that audience or an audience that needs preaching to.
So, for this re-issue, I’ve had Hurricane Man Studio dispense with the religious imagery and instead re-imagine the booklet and presentation from the ground up, hence why there is a new album cover. This helps to completely distinguish this issue from the previous one.
I’ve split ‘Seven Seals’ into two distinct indexed tracks and re-configured the running order to make the album sound more balanced. By doing this, I’ve also satisfied my conceptual desires by having seven tracks on the seventh album. It all makes sense to me now.
Also, ‘Warsawza’ has been removed completely as gaining clearance for this track has proven too difficult to pursue with. Difficulties with contacting David Bowie’s publishing has left me wondering if the inclusion of the track was worth it, especially when I had ‘Sands Of Time’ on the sub-bench ready to come on to fill the time. I’ve no desire to pursue clearing a cover track and the version of ‘Warsawza’ I completed was never going to replace the original’s beauty that Bowie and Brian Eno conjured up all those years ago. Best to leave it alone, I think.
You’re not missing anything, I can assure you.
Re-mastering has shown up limitations of the original mixes. Re-mixing wasn’t an option as some of the multi-tracks were missing. I have done the best I can with the original 2016 mixes to balance the overall sound and timbre but these limitations are evident in places.
I’m still pleased with this album even though it’s been a difficult child to control. This new re-issue finally completes the project in the way it should’ve always looked and sounded before release in April 2016.
Sorry it’s taken so long to sort it all out properly but we got there in the end.
Hope you enjoy it.
LR – Nov ‘17
credits
released April 2, 2016
Recorded at Joe’s Garage, Norwich, England - September 2015 - February 2016
All songs written by Lee Rogers
All songs & instruments performed by Lee Rogers
Mixed, produced and mastered by Lee Rogers - March 2016
Re-mastered by Lee Rogers - November 2017
‘Death’ created using Scape designed and developed by Brian Eno & Peter Chilvers
Artwork created by Hurricane Man Studio, Norwich, England
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