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:- Below The Belt
- Ruin
- Much Sinister
- Exit Stage Right
- All That Remains
- Hopeless Situation
- One Percent
- Emergence
- Leave Or Be Left
- Lack Of Scrutiny
- 10/15 Manchester, UK @ Band on the Wall
- 10/16 London, UK @ Underworld
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