Ok I'll admit it, I'm a huge fan of Fantasy, Magic Realism, and Sci-Fi
literature, mostly as done by Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Lewis Carroll,  Borges,
Gene Wolfe, George R.R. Martin etc. I'm also a huge fan of 70's hard rock, progressive rock (Hearing T.Rex's Telegram Sam on American Bandstand was a profound moment for me).  Progressive rock is a genre that is absolutely hated by most rock critics.  When I was in high school I remember critics hating the music of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Yes.   I still don't really know why nor do I care but I'm reminded here of something that David Lee Roth said during the 80's when trying to explain to a writer the reason critics hated him but loved Elvis Costello.  David said something to the effect of well. they love Elvis Costello because they all look like Elvis Costello.

Anyway!, along with music I'm into painting and film.  These two mediums
also have a big influence on the way I approach music.  Picasso, Frida
Kahlo, Julian Schnabel and Balthus have caught my eye on more than one
occasion.  Miyazaki's animation films Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke,
Castle in the Sky are things I really love.

All of these influences where unavoidable while I was preparing, recording
"Black Hole".  None of it would have been possible without the mighty help
of BEN HOLST, DARREN STANLEY, BILLY HOLMES AND TOM LEWIS ( My brothers in ROCK).

" BLACK HOLE"

When I listen to "BH" I can also see it.  To me the first half happens in
our world and the second half happens in another world.  The first 4 songs
on "Black Hole" all happen "above ground" and the images and metaphors they contain all contribute to the fall into and then the journey through the
"Black Hole".  Briefly these contributing factors to the fall include facing
personal demons and also seeing the world through the lens of depression.
The first 5 songs on "BH" are all fairly intense if not really upbeat.  Then
after leaving track 5 (Black Hole) the pace slows dramatically.  It's almost
as if the hero (the listener) is walking with ball and chains.  The
following songs are all visions or nightmares the walker has or sees during
the journey.  Most of them are somehow rooted in the world above. 

"Electric Chair" is a personal nightmare of crashed cars and fallen worlds with the electric charges symbolizing a mental breakdown that leads to hallucination.

"Queen of the Cesspool" is a song about the music industry itself and
specifically about Madonna.  Britney Spears and Christine Aquilara are at
some award show, M is kissing, passing the torch to these future Queens of
the Cesspool.  The music industry is seen as a Cesspool of corruption now
populated by Whores Pimps Strippers and Junkies.

"Led Balloon is a head full of Melancholly, just trudging along through the darkness.  DragonFire is a fiery vision of the Crimson King appearing and presiding over this realm.

"Wizards in The Sky" is the battle between well.the Wizard and Satan. "And when the dust had cleared the greenfields did return, and the sacred riders hit the new world".  This battle that the Wizard obviously wins prepares the way for our happy ending.  All good fairy tales need a happy ending and this one is no different. 

"Til the Morning Comes" is just that.  Here the listener/traveler finds peace /salvation/comfort from an angel from another world.  "Sister come on lets feel some fear together now" is how it is described in the ecstasy of transcendence.

So there it is a tribute to fantasy literature!  We (LT) are currently
working on a new record that is tentatively titled "Rock Dreams."

Best

Mike Richmond