koneg - the second coming (1975, uk)

• Format: Vinyl LP, single-sided archival album, limited edition
• 500 copies limited
• Packaging: Gold gatefold sleeve reproducing the handmade cover of the original acetate
• Liner notes: Rick Wakeman
• Recorded: 1975
• Source: The unique surviving promotional acetate
• Original status: Previously unreleased concept album

Köneg 'The Second Coming' is the long-lost 1975 concept album written, produced and performed by drummer and vocalist Barney James with the musicians of Warhorse. Created as a demonstration acetate in the hope of securing a record deal, the project remained unreleased for more than four decades, with only one original copy known to survive.

Barney James had previously played with Gracious, Legend and Warhorse before becoming a member of Rick Wakeman's touring and recording band. He performed on Wakeman's major mid-seventies works, including Journey to the Centre of the Earth and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

For this recording, James handled lead vocals, drums and percussion. He was joined by Warhorse bassist and former Deep Purple member Nick Simper, guitarists Pete Parks and Mark Warner, and keyboard player Frank Wilson. The combination of keyboards, electric guitars, heavy bass and James's powerful drumming gives the album a dense and dramatic progressive-rock sound.

The story follows Köneg, presented as the son and reincarnation of the Norse god Odin. He journeys to Saxon Britain in search of conquest, honour and a glorious death in battle. Spoken narration links the musical sections, allowing the five compositions to function as a continuous miniature rock opera.

“Koneg's Arrival” introduces the central character through dramatic keyboards, forceful rhythms and melodic vocals. “Longships Departure” develops the narrative with a more expansive arrangement, while “Fanfare” combines martial percussion with prominent guitar and keyboard passages.

“All the Prizes Taken” follows Köneg into battle, gradually increasing the album's intensity. The closing “Odin's Slumber” is the longest and most ambitious section, featuring extended guitar soloing as the wounded warrior dies and is carried by the Valkyries to Valhalla.

The original acetate was housed in a handmade metallic-gold sleeve. Seelie Court has recreated that unusual presentation as a gatefold cover and added liner notes by Rick Wakeman, a close friend and former musical colleague of Barney James.

Issued with the permission of James's daughters, Köneg 'The Second Coming' is effectively a lost third chapter in the Warhorse story and a fascinating example of privately recorded British heavy progressive rock from the mid-1970s.

Track listing:

Side A

1. Koneg's Arrival – 4:35
2. Longships Departure – 3:33
3. Fanfare – 4:45
4. All the Prizes Taken – 4:55
5. Odin's Slumber – 5:05

Side B

No audio – intentionally blank.