Artist description Ajalon has a wide range of dynamic expression that ranges from the momentous rock symphony to the clement acoustic ballad.

Music Style Progressive Rock

Musical Influences Yes, Genesis, Marillion

Similar Artists Yes, Marillion

Artist History In the Spring of 1994, three Seattle area musicians started to write songs and put together the music that would become a new Christian progressive rock band called Ajalon. Aptly named because of its sublime connotation as explained in the Bible, Ajalon’s music is at once hard hitting and grand in it’s design. Two years later, rock keyboard legend Rick Wakeman, formerly of Yes fame, heard a tape of Ajalon. What he heard was a wide range of dynamic expression that ranges from the momentous rock symphony to the clement acoustic ballad. Knowing that this was something special, Rick signed Ajalon to his label Hope Records and thus released their first CD, Light at the End of the Tunnel. The CD met with critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic, receiving airplay on over 70 radio stations in the UK alone. Ajalon’s music has touched hearts in over 10 different countries around the world. With the initial launch from Rick Wakeman and Hope Records now in the past, Ajalon has begun production on their second CD, timely titled On the Threshold of Eternity. Threshold.. will offer a different view of Ajalon’s music while maintaining the trademark sound that was established with the first release. The songs once again will feature the grand scale composition merged with the delicate heart cry of the acoustic folk ballad.Ajalon is found in the book of Joshua 10:12. The Paraphrased meaning of Ajalon is: Grace in the midst of the fire.

Group Members Randy George - Electric + Acoustic Guitars, Keyboards, Bass, BodhranWil Henderson - Vocals, Bass, Penny Whistle, Vocal ArrangementsDan Lile - Drums and Percussion

Albums Light at the End of the Tunnel

Press Reviews "The first CD for this Christian progressive band (stop cringing) is part of Rick Wakemanís venture on his new Hope label located on the Isle of Man. These residents of uptown Lynnwood, WA, are a trio: primarily guitar, bass and drums, which could obviously point to Rush as a basic influence but sounds more like Arena with less heavy-handed keyboards and a few standard ideas. Lead guitarist Randy George is both controlled and blistering at the appropriate moments while vocalist Wil henderson has masculine Hogarth tenor voice that works well in contrast. Songs which stand out: ëA Thief in the Nightí is a piece straight out of traditional neo-prog, if a little lightwieght on the bass end. "Girl on a Swing" is a pleasant acoustic piece bemoaning a woman's search for salvation. The hour-long disc is a crisp piece of engineering work that has good separation between instruments and a clear high end. Christian themes are evident in the lyrics, which compare favorably to that of rockers Kings X, but arenít to preachy or blatant except in a few places such as "To Fly With You"(which has a few snippets of trademark Yes sandwiched around straight folkish Gospel). "Tunnel" has more prog with less scripture, which seems to be the trend in the spiritual rock market. The epic piece "The Long Road Home" (18:19) would be the most impressive work on the album (showcasing Marillion-type arranging skills) if not for some out of place narration. However, don't be shy about Ajalon's freshman product if you want to check out a good disc - it does superseed most religious overtones and stands on it's own progressive merit." - Exposé Magazine issue #12 Spring '97:"Ajalon are a 3 piece Seattle band who break the mould that has constrained so many Christian artists in the past. "Light at the End of the Tunnel;" is their first album and is released on Rick Wakemanís Hope label (the first non-RW product on hope to boot). Take AOR, add a liberal pinch of progressive (good quality European) and finally add a touch of a classic wordsmith/songwriter (Randy Stonehill or Larry Norman) and you might be getting close to the mix which makes Ajalon so good. Well written and well performed songs with lyrics so sharp that they almost hurt. All I can really say about the album is that it is the best Christian album that I have heard in years. Itís so good I had to convince my wife that it was a Christian album and not an album by a major secular band. Okay there are a few sounds that donít sit to well in the mix such as the 'organ' in the otherwise stunning "To Fly With You", which incidentally is the only track that comes in under five minutes in length (and then only by a second). There is also a crowded feel to the sound of some of the songs, which is probably a result of to little money and time whilst recording. Let's be realistic, it's not perfect but I can't remember when I last heard a debut album of this cadre. If you appreciate good rock, Ajalon will not disappoint you." - Cross Rhythms Magazine Feb - Mar '97 9 out of 10

Additional Info Hear Randy George's solo project at www.mp3.com/randygeorge

Location Seattle, Washington - USA

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