Steve Rothery, founding member and guitarist with Marillion, and Thorsten Quaeschning, musical director with Tangerine Dream, have come together to collaborate as Bioscope – Their distinct musical worlds converging for what’s been described as a “deeply atmospheric journey” for their debut album, Gentō, due out on 22nd August through earMUSIC.
Prior to the album, Bioscope has released the title track as a single, that it self follows on from previous release, ‘Kaleidoscope’. You can stream the tracks here and check out the accompanying videost here at RAMzine.
In Bioscope Rothery’s melodic playing has helped define the sound of modern progressive rock and led to millions of records, while electronic composer Quaeschning is credited on over 80 releases internationally known for his work on film and game soundtracks, real-time composition, and electronic music innovation.
Together, they bring decades of musical experience to a project that is said to feel “both intimate and expansive. Rothery’s guitar lines speak with emotional clarity, while Quaeschning’s detailed sound design shapes the music’s internal architecture. Their collaboration is not just a fusion of styles, but a thoughtful dialogue between two established musical identities – a true “bioscope” in the sense of offering a view of life through music, the word coming from the Greek bios (life) and skopeein (to look). Before cinema, it meant “a view or survey of life” – a fitting metaphor for a project that turns musical experience into shared perception.
They are joined on the album by Elbow’s drummer Alex Reeves, whose rhythmic finesse and musical intuition is said to “bring depth and subtle momentum to the entire album”.
The project began in early 2020 and gradually developed through focused five-day sessions in Berlin and at Rothery’s home studio in Southwest England. Each of the five instrumental tracks draws inspiration from man’s endearing fascination with the moving image. From soaring guitar themes that recall the best of progressive rock to sequencer-driven passages rooted in Berlin School electronica, the music unfolds like a film without images – Immersive, dreamlike, and full of detail. Each track reflects a shared sensibility shaped by decades of musical exploration.
Gentō will become available in retail stores as a CD+Blu-ray Digipak, including the full album in high resolution Dolby Atmos as well as Dolby 5.1 Surround Mix, and Heavyweight Black 2LP Gatefold. It will also be available as a digital audio.
Tracks featured are: ‘Vanishing Point (Pt. 1, 2 & 3)’, ‘Gentō’, ‘Kinetoscope (Pt. 1 & 2)’, ‘Bioscope (Pt. 1, 2 & 3)’ and ‘Kaleidoscope’ – It can be ordered here.
The singles offer exciting glimpses into the intriguing fusion of Steve Rothery’s unmistakable melodic guitar work and Thorsten Quaeschning’s mastery of the analogue electronic world. A perfect blend between progressive rock and ambient music.
