AN HOUR BEFORE IT'S DARK

Marillion, the legendary progressive rock band from England, delighted us in 2022 with yet another impressive album, to put it mildly. The masterpiece is titled "An Hour Before It's Dark," and that's an understatement. The architecture of the album takes you through every corner of the room, not to mention the music. Not that I have any intention of skipping the latter, but first, a bit about the structure.

The album, presented in a sleek design, lasts just over 54 minutes, a time span that accommodates seven songs. Steve Hogarth expresses himself well in the lyrics, always cryptic and full of imagery. This time, the themes often revolve around Covid, as well as environmental issues, greed, and consumerism. Four of these tracks are epic in nature, subdivided into various subtitles, each indexed separately. So, according to the CD player (and Spotify), "An Hour Before It's Dark" has eighteen tracks, while it's actually only seven songs. Fortunately, I happen to be a fan of such epic journeys.

The album opens strongly with Be Hard On Yourself. Right from the start, you are swept into an epic tale filled with Steve Rothery's characteristic guitar playing?resonant in arpeggios and lyrical in melodies, while he bows to the compelling accompaniment. It's a motivational piece, urging listeners to strive for their best and not settle for less than they can achieve. Steve Hogarth's vocals are like a warm blanket on a cold winter evening?encouraging and captivating. But beware, just when you think you understand the direction of the song, they take you on a surprising turn. It's like a playful cat toying with your expectations. Oh, Marillion, you know how to keep listeners on the edge of their seats!

With the subsequent trilogy, Reprogram The Gene, Marillion introduces more rhythm to the album, and once again, Steve Rothery's guitar fills are fingerlicking good. However, I feel that Marillion is holding back the grandeur until the album is halfway through. Even though I find the catchy Murder Machines a fantastic track, my thrill really begins with The Crow And The Nightingale, where Marillion, with its beautiful music, shatters every mirror. This is no ordinary song; it's a tribute to Leonard Cohen. It starts calmly and thoughtfully with the piano, like a babbling brook. But gradually, it builds into a majestic crescendo, like a tsunami of sound that carries you away. You can feel the passion and dedication infused into every chord and note. Rothery in the spotlight, of course?his playing quickens your heartbeat and makes your soul sing.

Then the bear is unleashed. With the epic tracks Sierra Leone and Care, the band appeals to the deepest feelings a prog heart can have. Listening to these pieces (and actually the entire album), you can say that Marillion has taken a kind of introspective journey within themselves, fortunately.

Let's be honest; the members of Marillion are simply genius. Singer Steve Hogarth and his mates?Steve Rothery on guitar, Mark Kelly on keyboards, Pete Trewavas on bass, and Ian Mosley on drums?form a masterful quintet. Their interplay is incredibly tight, and their mastery of instruments is unparalleled. They challenge each other and elevate every composition to a higher level. It's like a musical friendship that has endured for decades and only grows stronger.

As this review comes to an end, I want to emphasize how much listening pleasure "An Hour Before It's Dark" offers. It's an album you want to revisit time and again because you discover new layers and nuances with each listen. It's like a mystery you try to unravel, revealing more secrets the deeper you dive into it, and you might find yourself pondering over the cryptic lyrics. It's an adventure that takes you to unknown musical landscapes and enchants you with its beauty.

Let yourself be carried away by the compositions, enjoy the surprises. It's an album that will capture your heart and elevate your soul. Marillion, thank you for yet another fantastic album!

Originally posted on www.progenrock.com