I finally got the chance to dive into Gandalf’s Fist’s re-released EP, "Songs from the Solway (Special Edition Reissue)," which will be released on April 15th, this coming Monday. Despite being labeled as an EP, this offering from the UK-based neo-prog band is considerably substantial, featuring eight tracks that span a solid 36 minutes. Honestly, it feels like the ideal length for this work. Dean Marsh, deeply involved in both the original production and the re-release, shares that the EP was quickly put together in the winter of 2011 but felt it hadn’t been given its due at the time. This special edition aims to rectify that, with the material remixed, remastered, and even enhanced with new instrumentation.

The EP recounts folk tales and stories from Marsh’s home county of Cumbria—a region rich with the lore of kings, warriors, and ghosts. These narratives, many of which have faded from common knowledge, are vividly brought to life, making this release not just a musical journey but a fascinating historical exploration. It truly captures the spirit of the time, sea, and legends of the day. The lineup since the original has also expanded, with the inclusion of musicians like Natasha Jaffe on cello and Faliq Auri on Uilleann pipes, adding a distinct depth and authenticity to the music not found in the original.