Merlin – Bard of the Unseen is a Progressive rock concept album released by the Dutch band Kayak in 2003.
History[]
This is the third album released by ‘Kayak’, a Dutch band that formed in the mid-seventies, disbanded in the early eighties, and reformed after the turn of the century. The album comprises re-recordings of a much earlier release simply entitled ‘Merlin’ (1981), plus a number of new tracks. The songs ‘Merlin’, ‘Tintagel’, ‘The Sword in the Stone’, ‘The King’s Enchanter’ and ‘Niniane’ on the 1981 album were re-recorded. Nine new tracks were then added to these five to complete the 2003 release. The songs are a blend of Progressive Rock, Pop Rock, and Medieval-style ballads. Instrumentation blends electric guitars with orchestral sequences and powerful vocals. The album received many highly favourable reviews and was quoted by one reviewer as “one of the best symphonic/orchestral progressive concept albums ever made”.
Songs / Tracks Listing[]
Merlin (7:50)
- Tintagel (2:49)
- The Future King (2:58)
- The Sword in the Stone (3:43)
- When the Seer looks away (4:18)
- Branded (3:51)
- At Arthur's Court (3:15)
- The Otherworld (7:59)
- The Purest of Knights (5:48)
- Friendship and love (5:13)
- The King's Enchanter (2:31)
- Niniane (7:08)
- The Last Battle (8:11)
- Avalon (3:44)
Total Time: 69:37
Musicians[]
- Ton Scherpenzeel - keyboards, backing vocals
- Pim Koopman - drums, backing vocals
- Bert Heerink - lead & backing vocals
- Rob Vunderink - guitars, lead & backing vocals
- Bert Veldkamp - bass guitar
- Joost Vergoossen - electric & acoustic guitars
- Cindy Oudshoorn - lead & backing vocals