The Gates of Delirium

Brace yourself for Yes's "The Gates of Delirium," a monumental 22-minute progressive rock epic from their 1974 album Relayer. Inspired by War and Peace, this ambitious suite musically portrays the chaos of battle before resolving into the serene beauty of its "Soon" section.

Occupying the entire first side of the 1974 album Relayer, "The Gates of Delirium" is one of Yes's most intense and ambitious progressive rock compositions. Inspired by Tolstoy's War and Peace, the piece musically depicts the buildup and frenzy of battle through complex, often dissonant instrumental passages, featuring aggressive guitar work from Steve Howe and wild keyboard textures from Patrick Moraz, capturing the sonic fury of conflict.

The track's lengthy central section vividly portrays conflict through clashing motifs and instrumental intensity from the whole band. Following this chaos, the piece transitions into its famous final section, "Soon," a beautiful and peaceful melody featuring Jon Anderson's gentle vocals and Steve Howe's lap steel guitar, signifying hope and resolution after the storm. This dynamic journey solidified its legendary status within progressive rock.

SONG MEANING: Directly inspired by Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace, "The Gates of Delirium" musically chronicles the journey from the anticipation of conflict, through the intense chaos and destruction of battle (represented by the dissonant instrumental sections), and finally into the quiet sorrow and hope for peace in the aftermath, embodied by the serene closing section known as "Soon."