Their earliest albums were hard rock that drew heavily from the space-rock and Pink Floyd styles of the same period. The 70’s gave them the occasion to issue some masterpieces, like for example "A Tab in the Ocean (1972) "Remember the Future" (1973) and "Recycled" (1975). Each is a conceptual album that is a nice blend of melodic guitar and keyboards with a vocal story. "Journey To The Centre Of The Eye" is a mindblowing epic with lots of echoplex guitar and dual Mellotrons which is quite in tune with the Krautrock stuff going on around them, yet is definitely British. "Magic is a Child" had shorter songs and were less less satisfying.
Nektar's entire back catalogue has been re-vamped and remastered and is about to be re-issued in the USA, supported by a tour. A new Studio CD "Book of Days" is targeted for 20th March 2007 release on EMI - Caroline.
The band has recently been joined for their upcoming tour by the bass player Peter Pichl (Running Wild and other bands).
Away from Asgard
Nektar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turn the handle, mystic wonder
Fire turn the ore into steel
Chariots of Thor turn your wheels
Away from Asgard
His hammer needed in the North
Will know his power and his force
Trees burning, sky's fiery red today
Wheels turning, winds coming back again
Bless the seeds that we sow help them grow
Wheat covered fields into bread keep us fed
We'll work in the sun 'til it's done
Not giving up 'til we've won
Oktoberfest celebration
The harvests in the winters coming
Streets alive with people dancing
Music fills the air
Alpine horns through valleys echo
Months of toil that turn to leisure
Aged lines sun parched faces
Had to be released
Down on your knees, hide your eyes
Light like a hole in the sky
Fire turning ore into steel
Chariots of Thor turn your wheels
Away from Asgard
His hammer needed in the North
The warring people
Will know his power and his force
Trees burning, sky's fiery red today
Wheels turning, winds coming back again
Dawn the minstrel, distant runner
Turn the handle, mystic wonder
Dawn the minstrel, distant runner
Turn the handle, mystic wonder
The lyrics of "Away from Asgard" resonate with the imagery of Nordic mythology, specifically the hammer-wielding god of thunder, Thor, and his chariots. The song describes a minstrel and a distant runner, possibly traveling to deliver a message or gather allies for the looming war. The "fire turning ore into steel" can be interpreted as the process of crafting weapons in preparation for battle. The lyrics aim to inspire, painting a vivid picture of hardworking people toiling away in the fields and celebrating their labor with a festival. The song's refrain, "Away from Asgard, his hammer needed in the North, the warring people will know his power and his force," emphasizes the need for Thor to fight in the face of impending danger.
The theme of the song is a common one in Nektar's music, which often blends mythology and science fiction, seeking to inspire listeners with hopeful messages of resilience and the power of the human spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Dawn the minstrel, distant runner
A minstrel wakes up to run far away
Turn the handle, mystic wonder
Mysterious and magical times are ahead
Fire turn the ore into steel
Melting metal to create weapons
Chariots of Thor turn your wheels
Riding into battle with these powerful vehicles
Away from Asgard
Leaving their home behind
His hammer needed in the North
Thor's hammer is required in the North for the upcoming battle
The warring people
Those who are about to fight in the conflict
Will know his power and his force
Experiencing the might and strength of Thor in battle
Trees burning, sky's fiery red today
The world is in chaos, with trees on fire and a red sky
Wheels turning, winds coming back again
Travelling forward as the winds begin to change direction
Bless the seeds that we sow help them grow
Wishing for good harvest growth
Wheat covered fields into bread keep us fed
Growing wheat to feed the people
We'll work in the sun 'til it's done
Working hard in the daylight hours until the job is finished
Not giving up 'til we've won
Continuing the fight and not giving up until victory is achieved
Oktoberfest celebration
A time of celebration and festivity
The harvests in the winters coming
Preparing for the winter and storing harvests
Streets alive with people dancing
Jubilant citizens dancing in the streets
Music fills the air
The sound of music can be heard everywhere
Alpine horns through valleys echo
The alpine horns reverberate through the valleys
Months of toil that turn to leisure
Hard work yields restful times
Aged lines sun parched faces
Those who have endured years of harsh sun exposure
Had to be released
Finally breaking free from the burdens of labor and age
Down on your knees, hide your eyes
Fearing the power of Thor's hammer and cowering from it
Light like a hole in the sky
Bright and powerful light coming through an opening in the clouds
Contributed by Zachary P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
TheSabeMan
So great hearing this classic after about a 25 year absence of not hearing it. Thanks for the post.
Paulo Corrêa da Silva
Superb!
Yves Et Lise Launiere Et Thibault
my very dear old friends...hope you'r all in great shapes...👓 thanks for all....
Dennis Benzle
this is so cool man very cool
Richard Mathew
Sounds like Yes 👏
Denis Caetano
Away from Asgard
Xal M
Parts of this reminded of Uriah Heep
212Brayden
Alc, who else? 1:35 btw