A TOWER OF CLOCKS

A Tower Of Clocks is the much-anticipated second album by the Yorkshire progressive rock band This Winter Machine. In 2016, This Winter Machine came out of nowhere with the highly regarded and increasingly popular album The Man Who Never Was. As a debut goes it was a truly impressive piece of work. This winter machine has had an incredible growth since its debut album came out. It's like watching a child grow up, it had that kind of impact on me.

There is a lot of high expectations on their second album among the growing fan-base. It's very clear to me that this album right from the start will not disappoint.

This is a concept album. I'm not going to give away too much of the story. I think this would be something best left for the listener to experience themselves. Believe me, it's quite the story. It's very well done and at times very emotional as well.

The album starts off with an instrumental called Herald, which kind of sets the stage for the album. It's a very atmospheric opener and it quickly becomes obvious to the listener that this band is very confident. After Herald we have a song called Flying. It's a very sensitive song built around a piano as well as giving lead vocalist Al Winter a showcase for his emotional vocal delivery. Following Flying is a song called Spiral. This is the only weak point of the album. To me the song just doesn't add anything to the overall feel of the album. I'm not saying it's bad song or anything, I just don't think it fits. After Spiral, we have a song called Symmetry and Light. This may be the most interesting and diverse song on A Tower Of Clocks. It shows that this is a band willing to stretch there musical boundaries. Following Symmetry and Light we have Justified and In Amber. These two songs bring the album to a more gentle and straightforward territory. They both act as an ideal showcase for our Al Winters Excellent vocals. Following In Amber, we have a song called The Hunt. Now this time This Winter Machine as a group have propelled the album in a much more dramatic direction. It's just one of those songs that takes you on a journey from start to finish. After The Hunt we have a song called Delta. This is probably my favorite on the album. It's musically outstanding and the most prog oriented song on the album. This may be one of the best prog songs of 2019. After Delta we have a song called When We Were Young. It is probably the most touching piece on the album. I'm not going to say too much for the song, as I wouldn't do it justice. This is surely going to be a fan favorite. The closing song is called Carnivale, filled with images and regretful lyrics from Al Winter. It's a great way to end an album.

I'm highly impressed with this album and the band themselves. I hope you as fans will actively seek out and listen to this magnificent album when it's released. Take it from me, you will not be disappointed.

I heard about this band shortly after their first album release (the man who never was) I read some reviews and was impressed, so purchased it and it was a mighty fine album. so much so that ordering album no 2 was a formality. The tower of clocks certainly has impressed me also, beautiful art work on the sleeve, a nice bonus of live second disc too, signed booklet AND I get my name credit because I pre ordered very early. Now to the music itself, first track Herald is instrumental so you don't yet get to hear Al Winters stunning vocals, I very much like this top piece of music as it moves along nicely and you hear owl hooting and clocks ticking, all very Floydish but very This Winter Machineish too. I love this and track 2 -Flying.. beautiful vocal and top ballad. Now rather than go on the track by track guide and as it's been done already by another reviewer here, it's my opinion that this is very much the equal of the previous album. It has very good light and shade, warm sounding and rocks at times with a lovely guitar sound, clear crisp drumming and swirling key work it's very obvious that all these guys know how to play. I love Justified, Delta and Carnivale .. all top tunes. The album flows very well and it never ceases to impress, quite possibly a contender for best Prog release of 2019 and that is saying something because there are a few big names to battle with. It is also a real grower so I suggest you give these guys a bit of your time... Order now - the clock is ticking.

I'm not sure where I first saw information on this album, but it would have been one of the groups I am a member of on Facebook, and I was immediately taken in by the artwork. So much so that when I was offered it for review I jumped at the opportunity, as if this much work had gone into the cover, I was intrigued to hear what the music sounded like. It was some time after this that I was contacted by singer Al Winter who asked if I would add it to my list, and over the course of various messages I became even more interested. Of course there is always the danger of being somewhat disappointed, and I have been caught out more than once in the past, and undoubtedly I will again in the future but anyone who sends me material knows there is a risk that I really won't like it and I always say what I think.

I am incredibly happy to say that is not the case here, and I am now bouncing around to as fine a slab of neo prog that you are every like to come across. The band comprises Al and Mark Numan (keyboards, backing vocals), Graham Garbett (guitars, backing vocals), Scott Owens (guitars, backing vocals), Andy Milner (drums) and Pete Priestley (bass, bass pedals). I was dragged happily into the music with opener 'Herald', which not only is nearly nine minutes long but is also an instrumental! Now, those who read the line-up will have noticed that there are two guitarists, which is somewhat unusual for progressive rock bands ' the only one which immediately springs to mind which also didn't go into a heavier direction would be Final Conflict ' yet often the main instrument are the keyboards. Indeed, next up is 'Flying' where Al and Mark show they are quite happy to play by themselves and not bother the rest of the guys. So, two songs in, with two very different approaches with the only similarity being that I was incredibly engaged.

They have taken a huge mix of influences, and then brought them all in together to create a neo prog melange which is fascinating. It would be very easy to say there are obvious elements of early Pallas and Marillion, combined with some Pendragon, Galahad and Grey Lady Down, but instead I should just say this is an album I enjoyed the very first time I played it, and it has grown on me even more since then. 25 years out of time, this is bombastic prog which also has elements which remind me of old-style Magnum, and just makes me smile. The guys demonstrate real confidence on this album, and it is definitely one to investigate.

An album , the 2nd of a group drawing its influences from GENESIS, MARILLION, ARENA, IQ. An album that makes neo-prog, but has managed to create its own, which gives in melodic, energetic titles on one side, on the other hand some tracks are simply fabulous, imprinting in our head. Herald and Flying are simply dangerous to listen because they have a bit of prog, a bit of neo rhythm and influences from YES going through RUSH during their best years. An album that allows you to let your ears go to very good titles, and where the final sensation leaves an important sweetness. Just a tip, listen to it, buy it but listen to it.