About The Album
Ten Jinn’s new record, Ardis (a concept album in song-cycle form) is loosely inspired by Jack London’s Novel, the Iron Heel, first published in 1908, and tells the story of an Oligarchy, which takes over America during the first decades of the 20th century. This chaotic period of the past is viewed through the lens of a 27th-century scholar (Anthony Meredith) working out of the “wonder city” of Ardis in the year 419 B.O.M. (Brotherhood of Man), still standing four centuries after the fall of the totalitarian state and leading to the eventual rise of an enlightened society.
The songs are organized in a “cinematic” manner, moving between the two aforementioned time periods, and shifting between the two points of view in an effort to provide a musically contrasting arc of the storyline. It is the juxtaposition of these two diametrically opposed societal structures that is important and, as such, specific mention of the main characters in the book was intentionally left out of the record.
Singles include Adumbrations: beginning of the end, Slaves of the Machine, and Nightmare
credits
released May 26, 2023
1. Elegy I (1:29)
Music by John Strauss
John Strauss – Piano, keyboards, string bass
Mark Wickliffe- Drums, guitar, synth bass,
2. Brotherhood of Man (4:02)
Music by Mark Wickliffe
Lyrics by John Strauss
John Strauss – Lead vocals
Mark Wickliffe – Piano, synths, guitar, bass, drums, backing vocals
Michael Matier – Guitar solo
Matt Brown – Organ solo
Kenneth Francis – Ebow guitar
3. Slaves of the Machine (5:47)
Music by John Strauss and Mark Wickliffe
Lyrics by John Strauss
John Strauss – Lead and backing vocals, piano, keyboards
Mark Wickliffe – Drums, bass, guitar, keyboards
Matt Brown – Organ, synths
Michael Matier – Electric Guitars
4. Say Aye/Bishop’s Vision (6:45)*
Music and lyrics by John Strauss and Mark Wickliffe
John Strauss – Lead and backing vocals, piano, keyboards
Mark Wickliffe – Drums, bass, keyboards, electric guitar, backing vocals
Stan Whittaker – Guitar solo (Say Aye)
Michael Matier – Acoustic guitar
Kenneth Francis – Electric guitars, Church bell (Bishop’s Vision)
5. Elegy II (5:49)
Music by John Strauss
John Strauss –Piano, keyboards
Mark Wickliffe – Drums, percussion, bass
Matt Brown – Keyboards, synth solo
Michael Matier – Acoustic and electric guitars
6. Adumbrations: beginning of the end (3:52)
Music by Mark Wickliffe and John Strauss
Lyrics by John Strauss
John Strauss – Lead and backing vocals
Mark Wickliffe – Drums, guitars, bass
Matt Brown – Keyboards
Michael Matier – Guitar solo
7. The Red Virgin (7:54)
Music and Lyrics by John Strauss and Kenneth Francis
John Strauss – Lead and backing vocals, piano, keyboards
Mark Wickliffe – Drums, backing vocals
Matt Brown – Keyboards, backing vocals
Michael Matier – Guitars
Kenny Francis – Guitars, keyboards, lead, and backing vocals
Matt Overholser – Bass, stick
8. Nightmare (4:15)
Music by Mike Matier and John Strauss
John Strauss – Piano, keyboards
Mark Wickliffe – Drums
Michael Matier – Guitars, keyboards
Matt Overholser – Bass
9. Ardis/Elegy III (7:32)
Music and Lyrics by John Strauss
John Strauss - Lead and backing vocals, piano, and keyboards
Mark Wickliffe - Drums, percussion, bass, electric guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals.
Mike Matier - Electric and acoustic guitars.
Matt Brown - Keyboards and backing vocals.
Matt Overholser - Bass.
Kenneth Francis - Electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, and bass.
Special guest: Stan Whitaker – Guitar solo “Say Aye.”
Total run time: 47:25
*lyrics for “Bishop’s Vision” borrowed in-part from the poem Easter Day (1881) by Oscar Wilde
Produced by Mark Wickliffe, John Strauss and Ken Francis
Arrangements by Ten Jinn
Recorded at: The Torture Chamber (Panorama City, CA), Stone House Studio (Honey Brook, PA), Babaji’s Cave (Van Nuys, CA) and Radd Studio (Van Nuys, CA), Bear Lake Studio (Big Bear, CA)
Mixed by Kenneth Francis at Babaji’s Cave (Van Nuys, CA)
Mastered by Ken Skoglund at Sound Control Studio (Sweden)
Wow! What a great album. Lots of great songs and great production. Some impressive guests as well like Jon Davison and Billy Sherwood of Yes. This album should be in every prog rock lovers collection. marcusalmightygemineye
A work of beautiful, pointillist guitar from Martyn Heyne, the moving songs on “Electric Intervals” are made of tiny pinpricks of sound. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 11, 2017
These almost heartbreakingly gentle felted piano compositions have the delicacy and loveliness of slow-falling snow. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 30, 2023
Every track shows the tremendous talents of all four members. What makes this album so good to me is each song has its own groove and the songs are the kind that make you want to sing along. This album for me is the modern day AC/DC "Back in Black or Guns n Roses Appetite for Destruction. An instant classic. You guys Rock!!! axeslinger2