Generation Prog Records is proud to announce the release of “please,” the emotionally searing new album from Progressive Metal act The Reticent. Led by Grammy-nominated music educator and multi-instrumentalist Chris Hathcock, “please” is a concept album that plunges listeners into the harrowing realities of mental illness, suicide, and survival. The album will be available on November 13, 2025.
Watch the official lyric video for the track “The Scorn (Those Who Don’t Understand)” vuia the YouTube player below:
Featuring ten emotionally driven tracks, the album was written in just six months. Drums were recorded in a single day, all other instruments in two, but vocals took two weeks, leaving Hathcock with a laryngeal injury so severe he couldn’t speak for six weeks. During the filming of “The Concealment” video, Hathcock broke two toes, sprained three others, and tore his rotator cuff. He performed at ProgStorm Festival in Montreal, Canada, just six days later, concealing his injuries behind the band’s emotionally intense stagecraft.
“please” is also The Reticent‘s first album, engineered almost entirely by Hathcock at his Silent Muse Studio. Only the drums were tracked at The Basement Studios with longtime producer Jamie King (BTBAM, The Contortionist), who also took care of mixing and mastering for the record.
This fifth studio album includes subtle nods to clinical psychologist Kay Redfield Jamison, with lyrical references to her books “Night Falls Fast” and “An Unquiet Mind,” and samples of her voice appearing in “Discharge.”
Hailed as “prog’s most emotionally gut-wrenching” band, The Reticent began as Hathcock’s solo outlet for personal trauma. Over time, it evolved into a full-fledged Progressive Metal force, known for concept albums like “On The Eve Of A Goodbye” and “The Oubliette.” Joined by guitarist James Nelson (Nospūn) and bassist Paul McBride (Voraath), The Reticent delivers live performances that are more performance art than concert, intensely immersive and emotionally devastating.
For those who seek truth in music, The Reticent offers a mirror to the soul and a plea for understanding.
Recommended for fans of Opeth, Cynic, The Contortionist, Wilderun, and Devin Townsend.
“please” will be available via Generation Prog Records on November 13, 2025. A sixth album is also complete, as it was recorded simultaneously with “please” and will follow for release in 2026.
CD Pre-Order (North America): https://thereticent.net/please-pre-order
CD Pre-Order (EU): http://www.generation-prog.com/shop/
Digital Album Pre-Save: https://show.co/MoPdl8W
Tracklist:
01. Intake – 1:45
02. The Concealment (Those Who Don’t Want To Wake) – 6:06
03. The Night River (Those Who Can’t Rest) – 6:55
04. Diagnosis 1 – 2:18
05. The Bed of Wasps (Those Consumed With Panic) – 5:47
06. The Scorn (Those Who Don’t Understand) – 8:12
07. Diagnosis 2 – 2:39
08. The Riptide (Those Without Hope) – 6:09
09. The Chance (Those Who Let Go) – 6:52
10. Discharge – 2:56
Album Recording Credits:
All instruments and vocals performed by Chris Hathcock except
– Lead Guitar and Additional Acoustic Guitar by James Nelson
– Guest Vocals on “The Bed of Wasps” by Brian Kingsland
– Narration by Vienna Gloom
Lineup:
Chris Hathcock / Vocals, Guitar
James Nelson / Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Paul McBride / Bass, Backing Vocals