The English band from Sheffield Haze bases its roots in the 1980s, offering a Progressive Rock contaminated by English Folk music. The new album “The Water’s Edge” was released on July 01, 2024 via Gabadon Records and contains 9 tracks in the physical version plus 4 bonuses in the Digital version. Opener “Flight Behaviour” starts with guitar riffs, solid drumming and a background of keyboards, offering a mixture of Folk and Rock. The vocals and melodies have strong echoes of traditional English music, with the song unfolding through engaging instrumental and sung passages with choral parts. The intensity increases as the minutes go by, evolving the central theme and incorporating phrasing between flute and lead guitar in the second part, which then gives way to keyboards. A track that immediately immerses us in the sounds that the band will develop on the album. The album’s shortest track “Not Alone,” which is nevertheless over four minutes long, continues the musical discourse of the previous one. An energetic and elaborate rhythm section, fine melodies and well-constructed guitar riffs with very intense and expressive vocal parts at times. The solo inserts are beautifully crafted, as are the melodies that perfectly interweave Folk, Rock and a touch of Prog, enhancing the band’s songwriting and performing technique. An engaging and lively track with a dense meaning in the lyrics. “Waters Rising” opens with a guitar arpeggio and dreamy flute melodies, then evolves with a sweet, deep vocal. A more delicate passage that shows the band’s more Folk Rock side, paying tribute to their origins and creating dreamy atmospheres of fine workmanship. A song full of pathos that takes us back to the English countryside and ends with a short but intense solo cue. The epic track “The Outlandish Knight” exceeds 11 minutes in duration, featuring an intro with traditional instruments and a distinctly Folk vocal. The first part is reminiscent of a traditional Folk ballad in its sonority, then with a change inserts electric guitar riffs and a solid rhythm section, creating a sound that incorporates elements of Rock at times Heavy. The alternation of Rock parts and more Folk openings is remarkable, with the structure enriched by tempo changes and elaborate passages in pure Progressive style. The long duration is used in its entirety to develop the theme of the song, exploring all facets of the band’s sound. In the second part, after a more Experimental section, the song concludes with a Prog Rock steeped in Folk and with positive melodies that recall the opening theme Heavy guitar riffs and powerful drumming. Delicate guitar arpeggios intertwine with violin melodies in “Belong,” with a warm, expressive voice passionately interpreting the lyrics. An alternation of sung parts and instrumental sections show the more traditional side of the band’s sound. A deep track with dreamy atmospheres, fine interlacing with the violin as the protagonist, offering over 6 minutes of acoustic Folk music that ends in an emotional crescendo. The band returns to a more Rock sound in “Drinking with the Devil” with dirty guitar riffs, a Blues-soaked rhythm and tempo changes. The vocals are dynamic, alternating with fine guitar solo inserts in the instrumental sections. A song that deviates slightly from the band’s classic sound, with forays into the purest Blues in the second half, showing the band’s versatility and technique. It will be interesting to hear this track live, which concludes with a sax and organ solo that gives all the instruments the opportunity to insert themselves with solo interventions. Guitar arpeggios and keyboard melodies open “Who Goes There?” over which a warm and very intense vocal emerges. A song that moves slowly, developing over the minutes into an intense track in which the guitar is the protagonist with a prologue in the middle part. In a continuous crescendo that sees the keyboards at the centre in the second part, the band combines 80s Prog with modern sounds between inserts and instrumental interlacements, taking Neo prog to a very high level. “Parasite” opens with guitar riffs and effects that create a dark atmosphere. The drumming is solid and the track kicks off with a change, offering a sound that incorporates elements of modern Rock and Progressive, always remaining on darker atmospheres. The vocal is enriched with effects and modulations in the second part, accentuating the dark side of the track and showing once again the versatility of this band that is able to offer always different and original sounds. The physical version of the album ends with “Redemption,” characterised by a more Folk Rock first part, to slowly shift towards Rock sounds. the mixture of the two genres also shows the union of the sounds of the past with modern ones, creating emotional and very intense melodies and vocals. In a continuous musical crescendo, in the second part an instrumental section enhances the guitar solo cues and the more Rock side of the band, and then ends softly with the orchestrations. The first bonus track “Waters Rising” is a track that explores the Folk Rock side of the band, also featuring two guests Derek Nash and Lee O’Donnell. “Changes in Time” is an epic Progressive Rock track with all the characteristics that a fan of the genre looks for in a long-form track. Long instrumental plots that enhance the band’s compositional and excutive technique and offer 14 minutes of pure modern Prog. “Redemption” feat Derek Nash opens with a soft, intense and very deep Folk Rock and then develops into a musical crescendo. In the second half, the band incorporates more Rock elements and fine solo cues. The last of the four bonus tracks “Belong” is acoustic and explores more traditional Folk sounds, ending with a vocal part that concludes this enjoyable listen. A band that confirms all their talent, proposing long tracks that incorporate elements of different genres, united by their personal style. Halfway between Folk and Progressive Rock, retro sounds and a fresh, modern touch, this is a mature and very pleasant album for the entire tracklist. A recommended listening for all lovers of Progressive Rock sounds steeped in Folk and traditional music made in the UK, intense and elaborate from start to finish, a real pleasure to listen to and listen to again.
Tracklist
01. Flight Behaviour (7:24)
02. Not Alone (4:46)
03. Waters Rising (5:01)
04. The Outlandish Knight (11:01)
05. Belong (6:01)
06. Drinking with the Devil (7:40)
07. Who Goes There? (6:29)
08. Parasite (7:23)
09. Redemption (8:14)
Lineup
Chris McMahon / Keyboards, Bass
Paul McMahon / Guitars, Lead Vocals
Danny McMahon / Drums & Percussion
With:
Catrin Ashton / Flute, Fiddle
Jessica McMahon / Backing Vocals
Lily McMahon / Backing Vocals
Hazel McMahon / Backing Vocals
Charlie Bramald / Vocals
Derek Nash / Saxophone
