Reviews

...Multi-instrumentalist Randy George, lead vocalist Wil Henderson and drummer Dan Lile on drums all turn in fine performances and are augmented by some well-chosen guests on This Good Place; Neal Morse sideman Paul Bielatowicz contributes memorable guitar solos, smooth lead vocalist Henderson is joined by solid female vocalist Robyn Dawn in several spots, great power pop singer Rick Altizer adds a cool lead vocal on “Not Man” and Glass Hammer keyboardist Fred Schendel contributes colorful keyboards. This Good Place can be summed up as This Good Album; an interesting and colorful symphonic prog rock release firmly rooted in classic prog sounds that points to hope that we can all find...
www.tollbooth.org/2009/reviews/ajalon.html

Making reviews from a lot of different music styles is for sure not so easy but because it’s such a big challenge I never walk away from it, although even I do have my limits. But when I heard the first tumes from this record I knew I would like it, it’s just high standard progrock what Ajalon is bringing us on this album. It’s their second album but it took them nine years because their debutalbum ‘Light At The End Of The Tunnel’ was released in 1996. But hey, I’m not complaining, especially not because this is the first time I hear about Ajalon. This is in fact the brainchild from multi-instrumentalist Randy George, a wellknown name within the Christian Prog Rock-scene, so yes, this is a Christian band. But don’t let the lyrics do the talking, let the music speak for itself, that’s in my opinion what’s it all about...
www.musketeerofdeath.nl/cdrajalo.htm

Spanish review
manticornio.com/rock-progresivo/A/AJALON/threshold-of-eternity.html

...I am not going to spoil your first listen of the CD giving away all of the details. You need a bit of surprise like when you don’t want someone to tell you the end and spoil a good movie. I will however give a little more insight into this superb work of their musical creation. As expected from this band, the musicianship is first rate and the lyrics are both meaningful and enlightening. This reviewer was never disappointed during my many listens. Revisiting the songs again and again, I discovered new notes and phrases like all good progressive rock albums...
www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_CD.asp?cd_id=7961#reviews

... The title track, "On the Threshold of Eternity" is the epic piece we prog fans all wish for, featuring yet another luminary of the modern prog rock scene - Neal Morse of Spock's Beard fame on added vocals. One of the most stunning "symphonic prog" pieces I have heard in years. Henderson's vocal ventures into a very emotional and adventurous area. With the vocal play of Henderson as the main antagonist and that of Morse's Holy Father. Morse's portrayal is hair-raising with honesty. The full band comes together to deliver a Technicolor soundscape that appears before the listener eyes and ears with ease. Uplifting and stirring, this mini opera will please everyone - an outstanding track! I will keep mum on the hidden track at the end of the CD - but let's just say it will certainly put you in a good "mood."..
www.tollbooth.org/2005/reviews/ajalon.html

...With special guests Neal Morse, Rick Wakeman, and Phil Keaggy in tow, the musical efforts from the three core members shine, vocally, Henderson sounds a bit like Morse and Steve Walsh (that’s 70’s-era Walsh), while Lile’s technical drumming adds the heavy element; not to mention that George steps up and plays most of the instruments on the record, shining on anything that he picks up. No sparse arrangements here, tracks such as the Celtic influenced “Anthem of the Seventh Day” and “Sword of Goliath” showcases the edgier side of the record, with moments of spontaneous hard driven material, while more “neo” tinged cuts such as “Forever I Am,” “What Kind of Love,” and “Psalm 61” add emotion, pop splendor, and more subdued laid back textures, all blended with the melodies and occasional jam sessions providing hooks and memorable music that is pure talent that only God can give as a gift...
www.ytsejam.com/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=745

Dutch review
www.progwereld.org/cd-recensies/ajalon.htm

..."What Kind of Love", with it's brilliant but somewhat out-of-place Rick Wakeman Minimoog solo, is an anthemic piece of neo-prog with a sunny, feel-good ambience. Opening track "Anthem Of The Seventh Day" is a rich 4-minute symphonic rock instrumental featuring Wil Henderson's Irish Whistles that give it a Celtic atmosphere similar to fellow Christian proggers Iona. But the 16-minute epic is the crown jewel of this record. The song is largely instrumental, and the vocals feature Henderson and Neal Morse in a duet - with Henderson playing a man who has lost his way, and Morse as the voice of God. There are huge musical and lyrical similarities to Morse's song "Cradle To The Grave" on his One album. Despite the big differences between the melodic pop songs and the symphonic prog tracks, the common threads here are the upbeat tone, the high standard of musicianship and the remarkably crisp production...
www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=2583

French review
www.musicinbelgium.net/pl/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=970

Italian review
www.hardsounds.it/PUBLIC/recensione.php?id=1648

...Upon listening, I was immediately impressed with their instrumentals as well as the vocal passages. It seemed they could do little wrong. The album seems to be balanced between the two and never gets overly burdened by one technique over another. It also seems its main members (Randy George and Wil Henderson) are multi-instrumentalists, switching between vocals, guitars, bass, and keyboards. Where their abilities end, they are quick to borrow from other talents in the genre (Phil Keaggy, Taylor Mesple, Brian Adderbury, Rick Wakeman, Lisa Green, W. Mark Wilson, Jeremy Cays, and Neal Morse). Also, let's not forget, Dan Lile, who reliably provides the drums on all, but one, of the tracks. With influences such as Yes, RWPL, and even IQ, it should substantially cover a wide pool of potential fans...
www.musicstreetjournal.com/ajaloneternity.htm

...On their second album, On The Threshold Of Eternity, the style of progressive music that Ajalon can be compared to is symphonic realm with some AOR parts spaciously put throughout the album. but more symphonic. They often remind me of Kansas, the better Yeswest and early Spock’s Beard sound. Their style fits in with other American symphonic prog bands, both current and of the past. Ajalon is basically multi-instrumentalists Randy George (guitars, keys and bass) and Wil Henderson (bass, vocals). Rounding off the core is drummer/ percussionist Dan Lile. I had the privilege of briefly meeting Randy at The Musical Box show in Whittier. Adding to the trio are some guests such as Rick Wakeman and Neal Morse. Rick’s contribution was on "What Kind of Love", with a Minimoog solo and Neal’s was a vocal duet on the title track...
www.geocities.com/prognaut/reviews/ajalon.html

...Ajalon’s On the Threshold of Eternity is both musically and lyrically a wonderful antidote for so much of the tragedy we see and hear in the news happening around us. But this is far from just musical escapism. If there is one thing that pervades this release it is a sense of hope that in a world where so much seems to be going wrong there is as the title of their first release said, light at the end of the tunnel. Although the CD has been released on the Threshing Floor Records label, the good news is that they’ve been signed to ProgRock Records who will be distributing the CD. This undoubtedly will help expose Ajalon to a wider audience and that would be a good thing.
ghostland.com/ghostland/cd_reviews.asp?ID=164

Italian review
www.hmp.it/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=5032

Dutch review
www.fileunder.nl/archives/2005/11/ajalon_on_the_t.php

...The songs that follow balance the big sound with some personal, religiously oriented lyrics as appropriate to a band that associates itself with the Christian branch of progressive rock; Neal Morse (Spock’s Beard), also of that association, graces the album with his presence on the epic title track. The spiritual tendencies, however, should not serve to intimidate you as, on Ajalon’s behalf, it speaks moderately and universally, with a just a tad of missionary objective, while focusing on positive aspects of faith instead on admonition...
maelstrom.nu/ezine/review_iss39_2744.php