2019 NEWS!
We'll be updating, enhancing and re-mixing the music! Stay tuned for remix announcements early in 2020.
A Dream is Born
How the Garden of Dark Inertia came to be
Crystal Dreams
The year was 1401. Fictional time traveller, Crystal Dreams, had encountered an evil force known in that world as 'Dark Inertia', and knew her mission was to defeat it. She wanted to replace it with a garden of love and kindness. But the Dark Inertia was powerful. Beneath the palace at Arethenia, a civilization awaited a prophesy to come true: the arrival of the 'Angel of the Dawn'. This was Crystal's purpose in that time period. Although she did all that she could, Crystal eventually decided to return to the present time and spread her message through music, forming a rock band known as 'Garden of Dark Inertia'. Hence, GODI was formed.
The Music
The music of GODI is made up of rock songs, but with orchestral and choral passages, and with a little Eastern element thrown in, influenced by Crystal's visits to the world of the 1400s. Although the whole story is based on a work of fiction, the music is very much real. Composer John Lister wrote the songs, arranged the music, and recorded each track individually, before realizing that he must find a female lead singer to play the role of Crystal Dreams.
The Band
John felt that the music and story had come to him, almost as if it existed elsewhere in time and space, and that he had tapped into it. Writing was easy, as though he was remembering something from another lifetime. In much the same way, each musician was a character John could visualize, each with their own attitudes and skills. This is why band members are listed, even though John had played all of the instruments himself.
The Vocalist
No matter how well the music had come together, a very important piece of the puzzle was still missing. John and his partner Marlene discovered Callie Piticco performing her own songs at a live event, and knew there was something special about her. It was soon obvious that Callie was to become the voice of GODI, portraying the character, Crystal dreams. Her solid and rocky vocals were perfect for the sound John and Marlene were looking for.
The Callister Choral Ensemble
With the full sound of a rock band backed with occasional orchestral passages, some songs still didn't sound complete. That was when John realized he needed a vocal group to provide a choir for the completion of some of the songs. He was able to multi-track his own voice for the male parts in this choir, and called upon Callie to provide the female portions. Hence, the Callister Choral Ensemble was born.
Guest Vocalists
In the 1400s, Crystal Dreams had been saved from execution by a prince named Aladak. They fell in love, but before realizing it, Crystal was returned to the present time, leaving Aladak behind to pine after her. The song, 'Come to me' features both vocalists singing to one another from across time and space. The style of the song is unique, as it is an 'Opera Rock' song, featuring the voices of the Callister Choral Ensemble, and of our guest vocalist, Matthew Cameron.
Words
Although the words of Crystal Dreams, sung through GODI, told a story of their own, it seemed like a good idea to include liner notes with the CD. John began writing these extra details in 2011 and within a year had written three complete novels, telling the tale of Crystal Dreams and the Garden of Dark Inertia in greater detail. The book series is entitled 'Angel of the Dawn' and new editions of each are being worked on before re-releasing them on Amazon.
Production
Although the recording of all of the tracks was completed in 2011, it was six more years before John was able to perfect the sound and re-release the final tracks. As more tracks become re-mixed, they will be available on iTunes. For now, enjoy the tracks that are here...