My dad had an album- I could have sworn it was Yes- that began with a long intro that was some sort of war/battle scene where there’s some yelling and maybe machine gun fire… I really don’t know how to describe it.
I can’t remember anything else and I’m totally stumped. I’ve listened to a few snippets from Yes albums on Amazon and I can’t figure out which one it would be. And the last time I heard it was at least 10 years ago, so I can’t think of anything else distinguishing. Any ideas?
The only Yes song that is remotely like that is “The Gates of Delirium” from the 1974 album Relayer. It’s a side-long song with a long instrumental section in the middle (not the intro) that has battle sounds, machine gun fire, clashing swords, and explosions accompanying the music.
Afterthought–could it be Jethro Tull’s Warchild album? That begins with a domestic scene (“Would you like another cup of tea, dear?” “No, actually I’ll be late for the office…”), then we hear the door open to the sounds of battle and gunfire on the street.
What year? I am thinking Pink Floyd Final Cut…
My money’s on Warchild also, first thing I thought of when reading the OP.
It’s not Gates of Delerium- I listened to a bit of that and it’s not familiar at all
And I’m almost 100% sure it’s not Jethro Tull or Pink Floyd, though I can’t listen to either of those without buying MP3s at Amazon.
I know it’s the beginning (and I think it’s the beginning of either side 1 or 2- it was on vinyl) and it’s a really long scene with sort of talking, like a part of a movie, during the gun battle sounds, and definitely related to the battle noises, not just layered. Very epic. The singers voice is really high, which is why I thought it was Yes. I remember as a kid thinking it was a female singing, though my dad corrected me when I said so. It very prog and 70s, though I have no idea the actual date.
It’s a tough question because I remember so little about it. I tried to Google, but yielded nothing.
ETA: Just listened to the Jethro Tull album and it’s not it.
Given that Jon Anderson is the lead singer of Yes, I wondered if it might be his collaboration with Vangelis, The Friends of Mr. Cairo. Listen to samples here if you can (was working kind of sketchily for me). If the intro plays for the tracks, check and see - that might be it. More gangster-y than warlike, though.
This is a TOTAL left-field guess, but could it be From the Greenhouse, by Crack the Sky? That song has a very Yes/Pink Floyd sound to it.
(If someone on this board actually knows who they are I may just die on the spot.)
That’s it!
Here is the song on YouTube, with some weird video. It’s not as long of an intro as I remember, there’s a long-ish middle section, though. And it’s not as epic as I thought- well, it’s a very long song, though, so epic in that sense. The song really stuck with me as a kid, though, and kinda freaked me out, and my dad listened to it all the time when I was young.
Thanks, Marathon, and everyone else. I knew someone would know.
I really don’t want you to die freekalette but I not only know who Crack the Sky are, I have their album Safety in Numbers.
williamweigand, I love you so much right now. I’ve never in my life known anyone aside from my dad who’s heard of them.
The Dope really IS the best place on Earth!!
“Ice” is an awesome song. I own five of their albums, including a radio-only live LP, but only on vinyl.
Your life insurance paid up? 
I couldn’t let your sentiments go un-acknowledged. Thanks - you made my day!
Well, yeah, but don’t you own at least five of everyone’s albums? 
Aw, Biffy, I don’t care if you own five of Britney Spears’ albums! Your cool factor is way up there. My love extends to you as well.
Hubby is beneficiary of my life insurance polcy, but after professing my love for other folks you might stand a shot. eep!
Count another Crack the Sky fan.