Album Review: Troy Redfern – Astral Doorways
Red7 Records – October 30th, 2026
Reviewer – Chris O’Connor
Anyone approaching ‘Astral Doorways‘ expecting Troy Redfern‘s customary incendiary blues-rock, blistering slide guitar and swaggering riffs is in for something of a surprise. Actually, make that an almighty shock! For this is Redfern as we’ve never heard him before, embarking upon a gloriously ambitious instrumental odyssey that positively revels in its refusal to acknowledge musical boundaries.
Six compositions, spanning a little over thirty minutes, take us on a fascinating journey through progressive rock, jazz fusion, classical influences and distinctly Eastern musical landscapes. And what a journey it is!
Much has been made of the unmistakable influence of Frank Zappa, particularly in the wonderfully eccentric rhythmic excursions, intricate arrangements and occasional flashes of delightful musical mischief. However, to these ears, – another influence positively leaps from the speakers: the legendary classical-rock ensemble Sky. Indeed, the fingerprints of John Williams, Kevin Peek, Herbie Flowers, Tristan Fry and Francis Monkman/Steve Gray, seem scattered throughout, particularly in the beautifully articulated acoustic passages, elegant keyboard textures and almost architectural precision of the compositions.
The eleven-minute opening title suite immediately establishes the album’s extraordinary breadth, weaving together dazzling musicianship, unexpected changes of direction and moments of genuine, almost ethereal beauty. ‘The Plains Of Zula’ ventures further into wonderfully adventurous territory, while the brief, percussive ‘Emanations’ provides a fascinating change of pace.
‘Elysium In Parallax’ demonstrates Redfern‘s considerable melodic imagination, before ‘Dark Celestial’ leads us towards the magnificent closing statement, ‘The Fire Stones Of Areelia’, an expansive, richly textured composition brimming with exotic musical colours and breathtaking instrumental interplay.
Remarkably, Redfern performs every instrument himself, having composed much of the material on piano rather than guitar. That decision appears to have liberated an entirely different dimension of his creativity, allowing the arrangements to flourish without ever becoming mere exercises in technical exhibitionism.
And herein lies the album’s greatest triumph. For all its astonishing complexity, ‘Astral Doorways‘ possesses genuine warmth, emotional resonance and an almost cinematic sense of wonder. The production is beautifully spacious, allowing every subtle nuance and instrumental detail to shine.
This is not simply a guitarist demonstrating his versatility. It is a consummate musician throwing open the doors of his imagination and inviting us inside. Audacious, mesmerising and quite magnificently accomplished, ‘Astral Doorways‘ is a revelation. Bravo, Mr Redfern!
Track List:
- Suite Astral Doorways
- The Plains Of Zula
- Emanations
- Elysium In Parallax
- Dark Celestial
- The Fire Stones Of Areelia
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