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June 23, 2015

Godsticks: Emergence

photo: Eleanor Jane

Welsh prog rock trio Godsticks third studio album Emergence is a trip through hard rock, folk and even a bit of grunge. Lead singer and songwriter Darran Charles is growing fast as a lyricist. He has picked up a scalpel to dissect his fears and doubts. Bass player Dan Nelson has a wealth of fluid melodic licks up his sleeve and acts a second lead. Drummer Steve Roberts combines the power of John Bonham with the dexterity of Bill Bruford.

This is a band that is well versed in the history of their genre, with the obvious Rush reference song title Exit Stage Right as a dead giveaway. But unlike a lot of their peers they don't get bogged down by heavy-handed conceptualism. The song always comes first. All the decorations by way of keyboards, double-tracked backing vocals and shifting time signatures can't hide they fact that they are basically a power trio, albeit a technically extremely proficient one.

Emergence is an album that sounds light even when the subject matter is rather dark at times. Press repeat and discover that it is a chrysalis that turns into a butterfly.

Godsticks:
Darran Charles: vocals, guitar, keys
Steve Roberts: drums, keys
Dan Nelson: bass

Emergence is available for pre-order from the band's website. All pre-ordered CDs will be signed by the band and will include: a free digital version of the album and remixes of two tracks by Bruce Soord (The Pineapple Thief), available for download on the release date.

Tracks:
  1. Below The Belt
  2. Ruin
  3. Much Sinister
  4. Exit Stage Right
  5. All That Remains
  6. Hopeless Situation
  7. One Percent
  8. Emergence
  9. Leave Or Be Left
  10. Lack Of Scrutiny

Live dates (supporting Tony MacAlpine):
  • 10/15 Manchester, UK @ Band on the Wall
  • 10/16 London, UK @ Underworld

» godsticks.co.uk

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