Guitarists Jack Castle and Mick Morris founded Mirkwood in Dover, south-east England, in early 1971. Their musical ambitions focussed on heavy rock, which was very popular at the time. With self-written songs, two lead guitars, three-part harmony vocals and dense rhythm work, they wanted to take up this challenge. Together with Derek Bowley (voc), Dave Evans (b) and Steve Smith (dr), they recorded their eponymous first LP.
Mirkwood’s sole album was on the tiny and local Flams label with an edition of only 99 copies. With dual guitar battles and stoned vox, this record from 1973 is a highlight and a masterpiece of (hard) progressive rock with psychedelic influences. Seven lengthy tracks with incredible perfect rhythm changes, heavy fuzz guitar solos and also silent and epic tracks. One of the ten records for a lonely island. But incredible rare and impossible to find. Like a lonely island.
