THE WATER'S EDGE

Haze these days are a quartet of Chris McMahon (keyboards, bass, vocals), Paul McMahon (guitars, lead vocals), Danny McMahon (drums & percussion) and Catrin Ashton (flute, fiddle) along with some guests, Jessica McMahon (backing vocals), Lily McMahon (backing vocals), Hazel McMahon (backing vocals), Charlie Bramald (vocals) and Derek Nash (saxophone). Haze have long been one of my favourite bands, and I was even thanked in their 20th Anniversary live album: one of the things I have always liked about them is that not only have they always been one of the hardest gigging bands around, but even Haze is not enough. I have lost count of times I have seen Chris play outside of Haze, for him playing music is as essential as breathing, and he and Paul have a knack of continually providing songs which are melodic, full of hooks, and refusing to stick with one particular style. While they will always be associated with neo prog, there is an argument to say they often play music which is more influenced by melodic rock than prog, while folk is an important element at others.

Catrin adds an additional element, but she is not on every song, while Chris uses a wide variety of keyboard sounds as well as using both fretted and fretless bass and Paul moves between acoustic and electric guitars with ease. Paul provides lead vocals on all but one song, where he is replaced in that role by his brother, we get sax on just one but for the most part this is the quartet. Chris has always had an affinity with folk, and "The Outlandish Knight" is their version of a traditional number where they move through folk to metal to prog, back to metal, to ambient, back to prog, then folk before ending back on metal. "Drinking with the Devil" has them channelling Deep Purple, "Parasite" is more VDGG, while they seemingly have never found a time signature they don't like, so while 4/4 does make an appearance they are as likely to be playing in 13/8, 6/8, 7/8 etc. There is a great quote on their website, "We are Haze and convention is optional" (which would make a great t-shirt).

More than 30 years since I first came across the guys, and 46 years since they first formed, Haze are showing no sign whatsoever of slowing down. Anyone who saw them playing anywhere and everywhere in the Eighties will be glad to know they are still rocking hard with wonderful songs and performances. Long may it continue.

The band Haze have been around for 46 years as of this release and have a rich history of quality releases but do tend to incorporate ideas from their history so rather than suggest this album has been coming for 4 years since the last release 'Back to the Bones' you could suggest it has been much longer in the making. Haze also have no fear in playing tracks live before recording them so fans have seen these evolve. Here I review their latest album 'The Water's Edge'

Haze themselves are a band of fluid genres. They can progressively rock it out with the best of them, always have time for a ballad and can call upon folk influences when needed. Here's some short track reviews.

Flight Behaviour

This sets the tone for what is to come. Haze don't generally do short songs and this one has a long but wonderful musical interlude (around 3:20) in the middle with flute, keys and guitar splitting a tougher drum/guitar driven track with interchanging vocals. Haze create memorable melodies and this is already a crowd favourite.

Not Alone

In harder prog rock mode on this one complete with another hard hitting but fully relatable message. This is often musically reminiscent of some of the band's older tracks and is a great up tempo number.

Waters Rising

Haze are keen on environmental issues and here is a warning shot to the deniers. Not only does this have a great message it is also a lovely song showcasing Paul McMahon's voice that builds up to a real singalong at the end.

The Outlandish Knight

As previously mentioned the band like long tracks and this one clocks in at just over 11 minutes. It starts with a heartwarming flute and folky vocal but then descends into metal territory then prog before, just as flight behaviour a lovely flute melody that morphs into a prog solo. This track has it all and fair play to Haze for pulling it off. This is what music should be about. The song has a calm lull in the middle with a nod to Von Daniken (one of Chris McMahon's previous bands). We finish off back in metal territory and the 11 minutes is swiftly gone. This really is a cracking track but then so many of them are.

Belong

After such a mammoth track things are briefly brought down with the lovely ballad 'Belong'. This fits in so well at this point in the album and has a bit of a swing to it.

Drinking With the Devil

This is a bit different from Haze but draws on influences. Paul drops his vocal to match the bluesy guitar. The track is very catchy and has several great guitar licks. I love how the tempo rises around two thirds through the song, guitar and keyboard interplay before a timely saxophone. The last minute it all comes together and sounds like one of those classics we all should know, maybe a bit of deja vu?

Who Goes There?

This one of my current favourites, another to use some beautiful Von Daniken melody. The song is haunting throughout with great use of vocals and keyboard. The tempo is picked up in the middle as the cries get louder for who the intruder may be. At around 3.45 an absolutely fantastic keyboard melody kicks in, one of those you are excited to hear this blends so well into the song.

Parasite

So many great tracks into the album 'all killer and no filler' here we have probably the darkest song on the album which somehow reminds me of the thrash band Overkill when they menacingly slow it down (it's probably just me). Another instantly memorable song which crawls along before the tone rises at the end in epic style finished off in true prog style.

Redemption

Redemption has a much more laid back feel and is a fitting closing track to the album however the mellowness gives way to a mega guitar solo, it almost reminds me of Watermelon in Easter Hay as the soloing washes over the main melody throughout.

This really is an album full of what makes Haze special, they can pull off a number of different styles and mix them up as they see fit. Each listen brings something new and this is a band still evolving after 46 years sonically and also physically with younger members of the family getting involved. It's also worth mentioning that all digital copies on the bandcamp site feature an extra 4 songs, three variations on songs on the album and one extra song clocking in at over 14 minutes that will be familiar to long-term fans. In total there is just short of 100 minutes of 2024 Haze on offer here. Buy it and play it on repeat 4.5/5