Scott's Song by Song # 93: Clive Nolan - Song of the Winter Throne

September 30, 2026

Scott's Song by Song # 93: Clive Nolan - Song of the Winter Throne

Welcome to issue #93 of Scott’s Song By Song (#scottssongbysong).For more information about this series, click here:

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The prolific UK composer and keyboardist Clive Nolan may be best known as the keyboardist in Pendragon and Arena (see my spotlight on Arena on this blog), but he has really done so much more! He is also part of the bands Shadowland and (formerly) Strangers on a Train. Furthermore, he has a bachelors and masters degree from the London College of Music, and has written, produced and staged musical theater productions with his Caamora Theatre Company. He has also been a part of numerous collaborations, including three albums with Oliver Wakeman. The man is a musical mastermind. His latest solo project “Song of the Winter Throne”, due to be released on Friday October 2, is a massive undertaking. It consists of a main CD and a Bonus CD totaling approximately 2 hours in length.

The subject of this concept album is Hákon Hákonarson, aka Hakon IV, or Hakon the Old. He was a Norwegian King born in 1204, and reigning between 1217-1263, a whopping 46 years! (Interestingly, a Norwegian musician, whose band The Windmill also has been given a Spotlight, Morten L. Clason assisted Clive Nolan in engineering the album.)

As Hákon Hákonarson ascended to the crown at the age of 13, he was initially King in name only and regent Earl Skule Bårdsson pulled the strings until Hákon reached adulthood. However, Bårdsson would later declare himself king even as Hákon was still on the throne. The true king would have the usurper executed in 1240 and continued his reign. This execution put a close to the long Norwegian Civil War into which Hákon himself was born. His reign is considered to be the zenith of medieval Norwegian civilization.

There are a large number of people involved in bringing Clive’s musical vision to life. The primary instrumentalists are:

Clive Nolan - Keyboards, Orchestration and Programming

Mirko Sangrigoli - Drums and Guitars

Stig Andre’ Clason - Guitars

Morten L. Clason - Flute

Hennie Hagen Johnsen - Guitars

Arnfinn Isaksen - Bass

Meanwhile, the main cast members are:

Gemma Ashley - Solveig

Ryan Morgan - Hákon Hákonarson

Christina Booth - Tyra

Clive Nolan - Music & Lyrics

Natalie Barnett - Freja

Ross Andrews - The Storyteller

Additionally, there are 38 members of the chorus, so I will include a picture of that page of the CD booklet, so they get the credit they deserve. (Scroll to the bottom.)

Many readers will surely notice the name of Christina Booth, the amazing vocalist of the Band Magenta. Stig Andre’ Clason is the son of the aforementioned Morten Clason, who also plays with The Windmill.

The album comes courtesy of Anne-Claire of Bad Dog Promotions. As always, I am free to call it as I hear it, and I receive no additional compensation. As per my usual method, this is a cold listen.

Obviously, this is a massive production, so let me get on with it and dive into the music!

Track 1 - Born in Shadow (3:14)

This begins with some sound effects and the narration from Ross Andrews, in dramatic style. Equally dramatic music follows, creating an overture for what is to come. The massive chorus is put to use on this, yet the drums and underlying rhythm keep a rock feel in the music, despite how symphonic it is. A massive opener!

Track 2 - The Woman from Varteig (4:34)

This begins without a pause from the opener, but the music drops to a drone. Ross Andrews continues the story, discussing the circumstances of Hákon Hákonarson’s birth. Christina Booth as Tyra sings first, and is joined by both of the other women in their characters. They sing of how they will protect the boy to ensure the safety of the would-be king. Being born "illegitimately” during a civil war was a great danger to the boy. The vocals are flawless and set the tone magnificently.

Track 3 - Wolves Gather (3:03)

A traditional drum and sound effects accompany Ross Andrews’ narration, then foreboding music with chanting enters and then Gemma Ashley and Natalie Barnett sing beautifully in harmony. Power chords from the guitars help to accent the mood of the music.

Track 4 - Flight of the Birkebeiners (3:27)

The Storyteller continues the saga, then the dramatic music takes over. The string parts are somewhat reminiscent of the piano part on “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” (Genesis). The chorus joins in making the scene even more dramatic. Fantastic piece of classical-level music.

Track 5 - The Hidden Prince (4:12)

The Storyteller continues, then Hákon (Ryan Morgan) joins in for the first time. He sings of the circumstances of his upbringing in the woodlands. A very engaging song!

Track 6 - Ritual of Faith (4:29)

Ross continues the story, telling of the “Trial by Ordeal” that his mother underwent to prove the boy’s lineage and suitableness to become the King. The chorus, along with Tyra and Freja bring the tale to life. A powerful song, fantastically delivered by the amazing cast of musicians Nolan has assembled.

Track 7 - The Puppet Crown (4:22)

The Storyteller tells us how Hákon was King in Name Only, ruled over by Regents. Hákon sings that it is “The Puppet Crown” along with Solveig. The chorus tells us:

This is the puppet Crown,

I wear the gold, I wear the gown,

But another wields the power,

A hand on the hilt of a sword unbound…

However, the last line of the song is:

“But one day–I’ll cut the strings!”

The song is probably the catchiest one so far, with lots of power.

Track 8 - Fractured Throne (3:40)

This song tells of how even after Hákon was King in his own right, his former Regent, Skule Bårdsson, even after being given the title of Duke (the first Duke in Norway), still tried to usurp the Crown and declared himself King…spoilers, It didn’t end well for Skule. All of the main characters participate in this song. The song has an air of darkness about it, but Hákon is resolute in saying “I am King, I rule alone!”

Track 9 - The Sword and the Fire (6:04)

Of course the storyteller starts this one off, and then Hákon and the Chorus perform together on this one. This one describes the civil war battles that finally unified Hákon’s power as Skule is executed. Musically there are some odd meters here. Ryan Morgan hits a fantastic sustained high note about halfway through that is fantastic. The resolution portion of the song is so powerful! At the end of this track is the first full stop in the music.

Track 10 - A Kingdom Rejoices (3:23)

The storyteller describes the full coronation of Hákon as recognized by The Pope, and Norway’s rejoicing, and Hákon’s successes. There is some joyous music between narrative sections in a quick 6-8. Fun track!

Track 11 - Frost Upon the Longships (4:38)

Now that Hákon has cemented his position as King, he led Norway to become the most powerful nation in the Northern Seas. The refrains of the song are sung with only Hákon and the male members of the chorus, giving a very masculine sound. The tempo is moderately slow. There are big power chords and heavy drumming along with the orchestrations.

Track 12 - Storms and Wrecks (3:51)

This one describes the conflict over certain islands that broke out with rival Scotland. Mid-tempo, with some flute-like interludes. This one features Gemma Ashley’s beautiful voice as Solveig. Wonderful performance!

Track 13 - The King in the Mist (4:52)

This is a mid-tempo bittersweet ballad, based on acoustic guitar, with Hákon describing his final days in the Orkney Islands during the Scottish Expedition. “Raise up the King in the mist, I’m ready to go home…”

Track 14 - The Winter Throne

After the opening from the Storyteller, this one goes into a riff that sounds like a Symphonic Power Metal song. The chorus performs in Norse. It closes out the story harkening us to always remember the great reign of Hákon Hákonarson!

Bonus CD [Note- I have no real information about these tracks as to how they fit into the saga.]:

Track 1 - We Are the Storm and The Iron (6:05)

This seems to be an alternate version of “The Sword and the Fire”. The lyrics are a bit different. The refrains are in English as opposed to Norse.

Track 2 - Back to Varteig (4:40)

One of the ladies is speaking in Norse, as opposed to The Storyteller with dramatic music accompanying. She then sings what appears to be a lullaby, in English. The other female leads join in harmony.

Track 3 - Strings and Necks (3:20)

I think the title refers to the guitar solo in this track. Well actually both electric and acoustic guitar solos. An outstanding (almost) instrumental track that lets the guitarists stretch out and be featured. There is a bit of a chant from one of the ladies near the end of the track.

Track 4 - Crowns Across Time (4:31)

This seems to be an alternate version of “The Puppet Crown”. This one seems to be a little more basic in the arrangement/production; more stripped down.

Track 5 - In the Mist (4:51)

Once again, one of the ladies is speaking in Norse at the beginning. After that it is an alternate version of “The King in the Mist” in a more basic form, but it's sung from the perspective of one of the female characters. It seems that Clive changed his mind in regards to the point of view on some parts of the story. She speaks in Norse again at the end of the track.

Track 6 - The First Prince (4:00)

This is an alternate version of “The Hidden Prince” without The Storyteller at the beginning. Also a more stripped down version. I am thinking that many of these are demos/early versions. The harmonies are wonderful, only accompanied by a drumbeat at one point.

Track 7 - Ritual of Faith Ceremonial Mix (3:36)

No Storyteller at the beginning. There is only a basic drum accompaniment, so the vocals really pop out! The vocals are absolutely pristine!

Track 8 - More Wreckage (3:50)

It begins in Norse with one of the ladies speaking, as some of the others have. An alternate version of “Storms and Wrecks”.

Track 9 - Purely Instrumental Flight (3:33)

Despite the title, I hear some “throat singing” as this begins. There are gothic choir sounds as well. This is the backing track from “Flight of the Birkebeiners” without the lead vocals. It’s an impressive piece of music either way!

Track 10 - Puppet Frets (4:32)

The guitarists get the spotlight on this version of “The Puppet Crown”.

Track 11 - Frost Upon the Longships - Backing Track (4:01)

The title tells you all you need to know!

Track 12 - The Narration Fireside Mix (8:13)

This is all of the “Storyteller” narration combined into one track. It recapitulates the opening stanza at the end, to give it a sense of completion.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:

This is begging to be staged! If anyone is capable of doing that, it is certainly Clive Nolan! With his experience in leading Caamora Theatre Company, I would not be surprised if that is already the plan. This is grand musical storytelling at its finest! The arrangements, performances, playing, singing and production are all flawless! If you are a fan of “Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds”, then this is right up your alley! Three years ago, in September of 2023, I gave that album a 4 out of 5 Stars (80%). I like this one even better than that, but it is not quite one of my absolute favorites of 2026. Don’t get me wrong, this is a production on an absolutely epic scale and it is achieved magnificently! Many kudos to Clive Nolan for what he and his massive cast of collaborators have accomplished here! However, I am giving it a near perfect 4.75 out of 5 (95%) as there are a few albums out there that appeal to my tastes a little more in 2026. I am certain that some will unabashedly give it a perfect score, and I certainly wouldn’t fault them for it! Again, as I keep saying, 2026 has been an amazing year and prog, and almost on a daily basis, I get offered even more potentially amazing albums to review. This album certainly reinforces my assertion that 2026 will go down as one of the most amazing years in the modern prog era.

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LINKS for LISTENING and BUYING:

The album is available in different versions here:

2 LP Black:

https://independentmusicmarket.com/en/rock/123023496--5907811106615.html

CD: