The ANABASIS is a progressive rock collaborative studio project conceived by multi-instrumentalist and composer Barry Thompson of Norton, MA (US) with lyrics by noted freelance writer and author George Andrade of Fall River, MA (US). In 2009, Barry approached George with the idea of merging a personal story of falling from grace and redemption with that of a sociopolitical story of the avarice, lust, betrayal and self-destructive impulses that riddle and affect our public existences while also highlighting the hope that can release us from such travails … the album was named “Back From Being Gone” and The ANABASIS was born.
"Back From Being Gone" is a concept album anchored by a suite of "epic" sociopolitical songs called The Anabasis Suite. The songs of The Anabasis Suite are based upon 3 great ancient civilizations - the Roman the Norse and the Egyptian - and attempts to tell the story of and also comment upon how "simple men thrown upon the stage" of history, through their selfish actions, had affected the lives of the people living along the malls, along the fjords and along the Nile under their rule; in the process, Barry and George hope to hold a mirror up to our own lives (microcosm) and our relationships with our respective societies and governments (macrocosm).
The music written by Barry was influenced by Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Dream Theater, Spock’s Beard and Black Sabbath and the historical lyrics were meticulously researched by George and thematically intertwined within the other songs of the album; once written, the team recruited a group of extraordinarily talented musicians from all over the world to take part in the project and fulfill their ambitious vision … were they crazy? Would it actually work – could they really pull it off?
The premise was to provide a basic framework for the songs and then to allow each musician free reign to play and interpret their part through their own unique performance style and sound – it was a true collaborative effort. Such artists as Josh Sager (Din Within - US), Christopher Harrison (Hi-On Maiden, Lee Abraham Band - UK), Brick Williams (Hourglass - US), Stefan Artwin (Relocator - DE) and Plini (Halcyon - AU) rose to the occasion and recorded powerful, eclectic and emotionally moving guitar solos that enhanced and amplified the themes thrillingly in their respective sections. Ryo Okumoto (Spock’s Beard, K2, Ryo Okumoto Band – JP/US) signed on and composed majestic, sweeping and beautiful keyboard orchestrations for The Anabasis Suite and then quickly, based upon the strength and development of the album, decided to join the band as a regular member and played throughout providing some classic progressive rock flourishes and atmospheric work. In addition, Brian Hong provided two endearing solo violin pieces and Jeroen Hendrix performed some additional, blistering keyboard play highlighted in a classic duel with Ryo Okumoto in the song “Fly”. Finally, Gerald Mulligan (Lee Abraham Band - UK) was recorded and supported the project with tremendous, multifaceted and rock solid drumming.
The album is being mixed and co-produced by Lee Abraham (Lee Abraham Band – UK) – who also played bass on two songs - at his Dockside Studios and the drums were recorded and engineered by Karl Groom (Threshold –UK) at his Thin Ice Studios. Album art was designed by noted artist Martin Kornick (Neal Morse, Keith Emerson, Ajalon – US).
The running order of “Back From Being Gone” is:
1. Rome
- Prologue
- Back to The Future I
- Sands of Time I
- The Final Word?
- Playing With Fire
- Along The Malls
2. Fly
3. Carpe Diem
4. Vikings
- Lindisfarne Abbey 793AD
- Mercia 877AD
- Along The Fjords
- A Price To Pray?
5. Epiphany
6. Egypt
- Sands of Time II
- The End and The Beginning
- Along The Nile
- Back to The Future II
- Epilogue