Time of the Last Persecution is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter Bill Fay, released in 1971 by Deram Records. Following the baroque pop tendencies of his self-titled debut, Fay stripped away the orchestral arrangements for a darker, more intimate vision that would prove to be his most enduring work. Proper Records is proud to present this apocalyptic folk-rock masterpiece on 180g vinyl. Written and recorded during a time when Fay was obsessing over the Biblical books of Daniel and Revelations, the album reflects a dark but spiritual journey. Yet the title track's riveting lyrics reveal that Fay was also musing heavily on the political tensions of the time—specifically the Kent State massacre. Like its predecessor, it was entirely recorded in one day and mixed in another, but this stripped-down approach only intensified the album's power.
The ornate arrangements of the debut are replaced by a smaller ensemble led by Fay's piano and featuring Ray Russell's startlingly abrasive guitar work. Russell's feverish leads and raw, psychedelic tone have drawn guitar enthusiasts to this album, with his instrument's distinctive voice singing loudest on the apocalyptic title track. The rhythm section of Alan Rushton (drums) and Daryl Runswick (bass) provides the perfect foundation for Fay's darkest explorations.
The album's emotional centerpiece, "I Hear You Calling," exemplifies Fay's ability to find beauty within despair. Over gentle arpeggiated piano, Fay's haunted vocal reaches out before resigning into the rueful chorus refrain: "All my time is lying / On the factory floor." Other standout tracks include the apocalyptic "Omega Day" and the heartbreaking "Don't Let My Marigolds Die."
The unflinchingly bleak lyrical concerns could scarcely seem more relevant to contemporary political and social landscapes, despite being released in 1971. The album's themes of environmental destruction, political upheaval, and spiritual searching feel remarkably current. The influence has grown exponentially since its rediscovery, with Current 93 adopting the title track as a live standard, while Wilco, The War on Drugs, and Okkervil River have covered various songs.
