@robatthepub: Heheh, cheers Rob :) We also had a swarm of killer spiders !

Beware, rats can gnaw through spandex. What next? Gerbil apocalypse?

@kenny-mitchell-28: Thanks for checking it out Kenny, agreed on the bass and drums, I'm not great on production but it's good to hear peoples opinions as it's always hard to judge for yourself.

@kenny-mitchell-28: Many thanks, hahah yes my photoshopped picture got printed in the local newspaper and it caused quite a stir !

Hot Rats dude and that was well smoking and cooking on gas Nathan. Awesome job you did about the indecent and it Rocked my socks off my good friend. Dig the pic too and that was a blast very well enjoyed indeed.

Blimey, this one's an attention grabber and it certainly doesn't let go.  Iron Tap live!

Collaborations

Who remembers the priceless sensationalist headline in late 2013 “Ghost Ship full of Cannibal Rats heads for UK” ?

Well, it inspired me, firstly to make a Photoshop joke (see picture) and now I bring you the Rock Opera !!!

Sitting somewhere between Iron Maiden and Spinal Tap, this one has the OTT tongue-in-cheek dial turned up to 11 !

Had loads of fun making this one, including recording my vocals on an iPad in a blacked-out office during a thunderstorm. Really helped get into character !

Delighted to bring you the Soundcloud debut of Matt Harfield-Mitchell http://soundcloud.com/matt-mitchell-2 who did a stellar spoken cameo as “The Newsreader” at very short notice. Well done Matt !

Thanks also go to http://soundcloud.com/gordon_m  who nudged me towards using this story as the theme and also to Patrick at http://thegaragebandguide.com
for his kind help and advice with Garageband 10

The tech details :
Guitar : Gibson Les Paul 95
Interface : Apogee Jam
Mic : iRig Mic
DAW/Amp Sim : Garageband for iOS and GB 10 for Mac
Synth Bass : GB10 via Logic Remote app on iPad
Drums : GB10 Drummer

“Cannibal Rat Ghost Ship” © Nathan Jon Tillett 2014

Intro :
[news announcement]

Verse 1 : 
The papers say that there’s a curse on the way
Something evil is heading for you
A “ghost ship full of cannibal rats”
If what the papers say is true
A 40 year old cruise ship that was cut adrift
Lost for a year it’s understood
But lurking in the shadows in the depths of the hull
Are diseased rats with a thirst for blood

Chorus :
Beware the cannibal rat ghost ship
Beware the cannibal rat ghost ship
We’re all gonna die !

Break :
[news announcement]
[solo]

Verse 2 :
The papers say that it’s much too late
The Lyubov Orlova is near
Tsunami waves have brought the ghost ship this way, and
Murine armageddon is here
So you would be wise, when you see their red eyes
To lock your doors and hide in your bed
But put the strychnine away because the papers now say
That it might be killer spiders instead !


Chorus :
Beware the cannibal rat ghost ship
Beware the cannibal rat ghost ship
We’re all gonna die !

Help us !

Everybody panic !

Run naked in the streets !

Loot the supermarkets !

Set fire to....stuff !

Stock up on bread and milk !

AAAAAAgh, you’d better run for your lives !



Cannibal Rat Ghost Ship

our take on the monster classic PF song Time
https://soundcloud.com/nathanjontillett
https://soundcloud.com/jackwm

TIME - cover by NJT & JM

Very pleased to give a new home to this great collab track.

All music & production by Jack Morefield : https://soundcloud.com/jackwm

Heartfelt lyrics by John Eagle: https://soundcloud.com/marshmaster-1johneagle

Vocals & Photo by me.
"The After Love"

The miles are long
Between us these days
Somehow we are closer
In oh so many ways
So just hold on to that feeling 
Because

Something in our past
Will help us rise above
Somewhere beyond our lives
We will find our after love

I remember in the morning
You were silent and subdued
Well, until you had your coffee
This calm I would not abuse
But it didn’t work so well did it ?
We were better in the moment
Than we were over time
If I had to do it over
Baby, I swear I'd find another way

But that’s all innocence
We both know the cost 
It’s more than we can pay
Tears for love that we lost
So we’ll stay this course
Lovers across the miles
I love you more now than then
Now hold on

Something in our past
Will help us rise above
Somewhere beyond our lives
We will find our after love

The After Love (Morefield, Eagle & Tillett)

Uploaded with AudioShare app - http://kymatica.com/audioshare


I'm re-uploading my older tracks into archive accounts, but before they get completely covered in dust, i'd like to air the tracks i've made with other people. Collaborations have been such fun to do and when we all gripe about Soundcloud not being the place it was (and i'm guilty of that too) we should remember that it still is the place where we can meet up with people from all over the world and make music together. This still astounds me...

Nathan's amazing words and guitar vs my noises... This really was a treat to do.

https://soundcloud.com/nathanjontillett



Nathan Jon Tillett vs apapdop - Rites Of The Rose

Hand of Glory : Napier's Bones July 2015

Included as a bonus track on the 2015 Edition of "The Wistman Tales"
Free Download Link : 
https://napiersbones.bandcamp.com/album/the-wistman-tales-2015-remaster-bonus-track

Our latest offering is based around the 18th Century story of "The Stainmore Hand", well-known in Northern English folklore.

The song's events are centred on the remote Spittal Inn, its landlord, George, the maid, Bella, and a mysterious traveller seeking shelter from the ravages of an early Winter storm.

More background can be found : http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/england/cumbria/occult/the-spital-inn-and-the-hand-of-glory.html

Dramatis Personae: 
Nathan : The Storyteller, The Traveller, The Gang
Gordon : The Landlord, The Chorus, The Gang

Are you sitting comfortably?
Put another log on the fire, bolt the door, pour yourself an extra large helping of your favourite beverage and let us take you on a Napier's journey.
Maybe give the candlelight a miss though, eh?

*** The 4000 character limit imposed by SC means we can't print all the lyrics -> follow this link to our FB page  
https://www.facebook.com/napiersbonesband/posts/1621592221433272:0
***
____________________________________

The Storyteller :
A mile or more beyond the town where Roman beacons burned
A long established hostelry, it stands all alone
The track that marks the entrance, often missed from the road
The turnpike has fallen quiet, none will call here tonight
As the dizzy whirls of sleet announce the storm

Bella the maid dims the lamps and bolts the door
The landlord George smiles and counts his takings after Bowes Fair
The roof creaks and groans as the wind bears down from Stainmore
Alone, enclosed, they won't see another soul
As they say their prayers to save them from the storm

Waves of rain and snow spiral down
Consumed by fear & darkness, heartbeats quicken now
They're deafened by the howling screaming sound
Then it's broken by a knocking at the door
A feeble cry of "Help me" then no more

The Inn's occupants :
Who stands outside? A wet bedraggled old woman bent double no less
Come quickly inside! Dry clothes, warm milk, our Bella will help you undress

The Traveller :
"Nothing I can say can repay you for your kindness sir
I lost the track as day turned into night
A pauper's widow I, can no longer pay my way
My daughter waits in Brough for me, I'll leave you at first light"

The Occupants : 
Sit by the Fire! No payment required when we answer a traveller's distress
Before we retire - we'll see that you're well, now take what you need and God bless

The Traveller :
"Let me say again, I don't want food or drink
Despite my situation, I still retain some pride
Now talking tires me so, I beg you let me rest
Don't touch my cloak or clothing! Just take yourself to bed!"

Let all who rest be drawn into the deepest sleep
Let those who dare to stay awake, unerringly their vigils keep
Hand of glory, keep their heavy eyelids closed
Revealing hidden riches whilst your magic taper glows

Stolen from a gibbet corpse, wrapped in a funeral shroud
Dried out with saltpeter, I command thee now
Hand of Glory, Shining Bright
Guide Your rightful owner to their rightful spoils tonight

The Storyteller:
Though she feigned to sleep, Bella watched the stranger's movements
Disturbed by their growling voice and the hood that hid their face
Surprised to see new riding boots on a pauper's wife
Then the trav'ler rose to six feet tall and slid the bolt from the door
From the folds of a steaming cloak withdrew a dead man's wizened hand
Lit the candle in its grip then the ritual began

The Traveller:
Hand of Glory where Roman signal beacons burned
I call on age-old wisdom, let the dead man's fire return
In the house where your light burns, in vain the sleepers turn
The killer's hand holds them tight, alive will be as dead tonight

From the gallow's pole to High Stainmore
Hand of Glory, do all I desire tonight





Hand of Glory :  Album Download Link in Notes

Wistman's Wood (2015)
A Cautionary Tale.

The very first Napier's track.

Wistman's Wood is an ancient copse of dwarf oaks high on the wild slopes of Dartmoor in the South-West of England.

A place steeped in Druidic legends and tales of encounters with the Devil.

Old Crockern as he is known locally, has a tendency to hunt lost souls with his pack of dreadful Wisht Hounds, driving the unfortunate victims to their deaths over the precipice of the Dewerstone.

Please heed this warning because you may not be so lucky.

After all, everywhere has its own Wistman's Wood.

-------------------------

Part I : The Return

Two Bridges on my mind, Old and New at once, together side by side, 
Fond-remembered place of hazy carefree games
Now I returned, Oh how I yearned for those days
Perhaps to cross to find again the man I used to be?

There before me, hallowed ancient Dartmoor
Druid stones, velvet moss, just how it always was
A thousand feet beyond the bustling, frantic valley
The wizened oaks of Wistman's Wood, at Sunset I would go

This magic place, last surviving trace of an older vanished time
A time before the anxious life, a prisoner of the clock
Taking photographs, the trees, the sky, the rocks
To freeze the view and free the feelings I had lost

As I stand amongst the twisted mossy oaks
A sense that I belong here, swells to fill my heart
In the flooding warmth of golden evening sunshine
I rest awhile, these sentinels will keep me safe from harm

I'm coming home
I am home
-----------------------------
Part II : The Haunting

It all feels different now, the Wood transformed as I slept
Where once was beauty, Gnarled twisted trees, they snarl grotesque

All in darkness, no welcome in this sun starved place
A hissing whisper grows, from creviced rocks, from ancient graves!

What is this place?
Something's wrong here
I don't belong here

Golden sunlit welcome gone, Twilight, sterile, in its place
In haste I came to Wistman's Wood, to regain all I lacked

Choking on the air of sadness, contempt for those alive
This stunted copse now mocks my weakness, its magic holds me fast!

I must escape here
I have no place here

But how?
------------------------------
Part III : The Hunt

Across the moonlit slopes of Crocken Tor, a figure moves
I'm not alone, the fear dispelled, moving fast he'll reach me soon

He's drawing closer now, he must have heard my cries
His dogs run free, they've got my scent, they'll soon be at my side

Frenzied barks and howls and clouds of breath
Flashing yellow teeth and eyes of red

This is the Wisht Hounds Hunt!!

I've got to run for my life - I've got to try to get home

Nooooooo! 
Help me!
Leave me alone!
You can't have me, you can't have my soul!

Running for my life now, Terror on the open moor
Relentlessly pursued by The Devil's Spectral Hounds!

Almost at the track, a gate, a stile I recognise
Another quarter mile beyond the Dewerstone
---------------------------------
Part IV : The Testament

As I reflect upon my testament
I try and fail at making sense of that night's events
My broken bones have healed but mental scars
Are with me still, in restless nights and feverish midnight hours

All I saw, all I heard
I give my word this story's true, this warning is for you

Rocks inscribed with rites of druid sacrifice
Spirits evil lay in wait to trap lost souls at night

The past should stay the past, good and bad interred
Decide the future here and now, please just heed my words!

Will no one believe me? Condemned to live that night over again eternally....
-----------------------
The End?

Wistman's Wood (2015)

Subjects : Worlds Are Forming
Our third upload which sits at 7 of 14 in the running order.
Joan Silentio : Vocals
Gordon Midgley : Drums, bass, rhythm guitars, keys
Special Guest : 
Guitar Solo : Nodrog Yelgdim

Subjects

Worlds Are Forming

A new collaboration with my good friend Lee Lucas.
A talented singer and lyrics writer and his roots is in 70th rock just like me.

So here is our new song A canister of worms.

Lee Lucas: Vocals, lyrics and artwork.
Daion: Music, riffs and production.

Lee have done a music video too so here is a link to lee´s youtube channel.

https://exit.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DWMOn5Q4Ym_Y

Lyrics as follows.

Hey baby what is it with you
Have you got something you're trying to hide
The sun ain't shining when I'm around you lately
There's something eating you inside

I get this feeling your keeping something from me
Buried deep locked up inside
I can see it in your face
That look of fate
That might just hit me by surprise

Hey girl I don't know what you're going through
But I'm not to blind to see
There's something deep that's gotten inside of you
Something you need to set free

Dealing with your problems will rid you of this curse
That's spreading in you like a germ
Rub salt into the wound 
Don't be a fool
Let out this canister of worms

Hey babe you've bitten off more than you can chew
It may be an heavy cross to bear
But dealing with corruption is never an easy thing to do
It might even make such matters worse

It's a complicated situation where more problems may arise
That might be a cause for concern
Something more you'll have to face
Something you might hate
Just get out this canister of worms

Dealing with your problems will rid you of this curse
That's spreading in you like a germ
Rub salt into the wound 
Don't be a fool
Let out this canister of worms
Let out this canister of worms
Let out this canister of worms
Let out this canister of worms

A canister of worms feat. Lee Lucas

A canister of worms - Daion and Lee Lucas

Subjects : One Good Path : 17th November 2018
More of a vintage analogue electronica direction with this track. Boards of Warszawa anyone ?
Joan Silentio : vocals
Gordon : synths, live drums, guitar

Text derived from Meister Eckhart

Synths : 
Korg Volca ( bass) 
Arturia Microbrute (sequences & slow attack lines ) 
Korg MS-20 ( pulse wave solo ) 

Some tape bouncing & varispeed using Fostex X26

SUBJECTS

One Good Path

SUBJECTS : Sometimes : 24th November 2018
The final upload ahead of the album release on Friday 30th November when we'll post a sampler and a Bandcamp link.
https://gordonmidgley.bandcamp.com/album/subjects
Joan : Vocals, e-piano
Gordon : Bass, electric guitars, drums
Texts derived from Eckhart

Lots of fun with the analogue delay & chorus pedals over an insistent P-bass groove.
The Telecaster features in the outro...sometimes

SUBJECTS : Gordon Midgley & Joan Silentio

Sometimes

Bot spoken merge of words by Marylin Whirlwind, from Northern Exposure, with The Zen koan about the Hundred Foot Pole, along the observation that if birds could speak, they in fact, wouldn't be able to fly! Mainly because, words are like boulders, they weigh us down! A chord progression I really like Dm Am Dm BbMaj7 C Dm7 G7 here as a backing for hopefully improving guitar solos, which are the true basis of my endevours! To soar like Gilmour ;-)

Failing Upwards

Wistman's Wood 2019 : The Hunt

March 29th 2019 sees the Five Year Anniversary of Napier's Bones and we'll be releasing an album of our personal favourites from the five albums : respectfully remixed and remastered with a few strategic overdubs.
Oh yes, we've even picked up a real live drummer for the birthday bash.
Wistman's Wood was the very first track and still exists in its original form here : 
https://soundcloud.com/gordon_m/wistmans-wood-vocal-nathan-jon

To whet your appetite we're posting this excerpt which sees our hero fleeing across the moonlit slopes of Dartmoor with the Devil's own hell-hounds in hot pursuit.

Wistmans Wood 2019 : The Hunt

Written by Terry Reeves.  
Arranged, Produced and Mixed by Gordon Midgley.  
https://soundcloud.com/gordon_m
https://soundcloud.com/napiers_bones

Gordon Midgley: Guitars, Bass, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Gary Reeves: Lead Vocal, Drums

This song’s about a bloke I know.  He tends to find life a bit difficult because he overly frets about stuff.  I mean, you and me might worry we’ll lose our loved-ones in some monstrous accident, but he’s the kind who’ll drive himself into towering anxiety about a remark he remembers making in 1973.  

So as a result, I suppose you’d say he’s something of a recluse, but will occasionally put in a surprise appearance, and invariably gets the very warmest of welcomes.  But although he does want to be, he’s not back.

Gordon has done such superb work on this song - he’s captured everything it is about and so much more.  Gal and me are incredibly lucky to be able to work with such a fine musician - he makes the process so pleasurable and so easy. 
(Terry Reeves)
  
NOT BACK

Alone again on my own
I don't know where the time has gone
But I'm not back
And I'm not back again

Words of friendship in my head
Too many spaces with nothing said
But I'm not back
And I'm not back again

CHORUS:
I don't know who I want to be
It's not me
I don't know who I want to see
It's not me
It's not me

Many friends say they understand
Distant echoes of a silent band
But I'm not back
And I'm not back again

There's no witness to the tears I've cried
No Samaritan will live by my side
But I'm not back 
And I'm not back again

CHORUS

Waking silence a constant voice 
Answer questions not always by choice
But I'm not back 
And I'm not back again

Much to do but so much pain
Straining muscles inside my brain 
But I'm not back
And I'm not back again

Middle instrumental break

CHORUS

Waiting moments a chance to breathe
Thinner air makes it harder to achieve 
But I'm not back 
And I'm not back again

Sideways thinking but nothing heard
One voice to keep you happy another voice to keep it blurred 
But I'm not back
And I'm not back again

No I'm not back.             
And I'm not back          
Again…

Not Back:  Cripple Club & Gordon M

Music for dreaming, floating, flying away...

Floating

This song started as a project in Spanish, with our virtual band La E-Union. Kirine adapted the  lyrics into an English version and it resulted into this symphonic ballad, a meditation on love and loss. Enjoy! 

Instrumental  composition: Alf Schumacher aka Spektralfarben
Melodic line, English lyrics and vocals: Kirine (https://soundcloud.com/kirine11)

iTunes

All The Little Details (feat. Kirine)

Welcome to the Mind Factory! Enjoy the tour, but for your safety, please obey these rules:
-WEAR the provided foil helmet & tinted glasses at ALL times.
-WALK only between the glowing yellow lines.
-DON'T touch the machinery.

Failure to heed these cautions may result in irreversible mind changes, physical injury, or death.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Technical details about the song (for music gearheads)...
The only samples are the kick, & the snare at the end. Everything else is old analog hardware synths.  No midi or sequencers;  the repeating patterns were lfo triggered & manually synced/edited.

Greetings,
Len

-

Len Rice

Mind Factory

Mind Factory (Take the tour!)

Singer-Songwriter, Napier's Bones vocalist, Digital Artist, Photographer and Film Maker from Plymouth UK. 

New FREE Solo Album Here : 
www.nathanjontillett.bandcamp.com

I compose, perform and record original and personal songs using mainly mobile devices. 
Styles include : Prog rock, soulful ballads and soaring instrumentals. Comments, crit and mockery always welcome !

I occasionally collaborate with other musicians around the world, something I enjoy immensely.
https://soundcloud.com/nathanjontillett/sets/collaborations

If you'd like to collaborate with me in any way, please feel free to shoot me your ideas.

Also now the vocalist in new UK Prog Band "Napiers Bones". Our debut album is FREE here :
www.napiersbones.bandcamp.com

Thanks for stopping by. Nathan :)

Cannibal Rat Ghost Ship

Nathan Jon Tillett

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