1967/ 1976
When you find in your hands compilation such as this you can not think that the years have stopped and, of course, you would think that, after all, certain bands never change. If anything, evolve, change musicians (and with them the musical style), but do not change the spirit. Very often many bands rest on already: they have nothing to say but continue to publish because they have the strength and the fans have to keep making albums and/or concerts.
Bernie Shaw is not David Byron, and unfortunately it is not even approachable to it. Shaw is one of the best metallic uvula that I have heard but it is not a musical instrument like Byron. Ken Hensley is not longer present and this is not good. But the music is still magical and full of emotions. The ballads are still full of pathos.
"The Golden Palace" is a selection of the best pieces from "Sea Of Light" (1995) (songs 1-6) and "Sonic Origami" (1998) (songs 7-14) and is really a very good compilation, if you like the Hard Rock and Classic Metal composed and played by a band truly historic and full of strength and power, magic and pathos.
Enjoy it!