About the band: Genesis are a British rock band formed in 1967, whose output in the period 1970-1976 (the Gabriel and/or Hackett years) is among the very best of prog rock. After the departure of first Gabriel, and then Hackett, the remaining three members (Collins, Rutherford, Banks) opted for a more commercial rock sound that was highly successful for about 12 years. The band released 15 studio albums. One of my favourite bands for their prog years, even though I also appreciate some songs that came later. Genesis currently have nine songs in my list of about 200 best pop/rock songs of all time.
About the song: the beautiful ballad The lamia is one of the highlights of the ambitious concept double album The lamb lies down on Broadway. The song is loosely based on an old Greek legend about siren like creatures who live of the flesh of humans. The song cunningly blends fantasy themes (the sirens themselves), ritualistic initiation, and erotic cannibalism, in a stunning instrumentation where piano, guitar and flute alternate roles. Surprisingly, Genesis has never performed this masterpiece live after the "Lamb" tour. Run time 6:57.
