Two titans of progressive music, Steve Hackett of Genesis and Steve Rothery of Marillion, have come together on The Roaring Waves, a striking and deeply atmospheric instrumental album shaped by memory, imagination and the elemental power of the sea. Much talked about over the years, it finally arrives on 28th August via InsideOutMusic.
The duo have also shared a video for new single ‘Red Dragon’, created by Simon Ward.
“‘Red Dragon’ shows off the rockier side of our collaboration,” says Rothery. “It starts with the sound of a hurdy gurdy, an instrument which originated in medieval Europe around the 10th century, followed by a heavy guitar riff by myself and great guitar melodies and sitar guitar by Steve.”
Hackett adds a little history. “Red Dragon was the name of the ship used by the East India Trading Company in its early years. I used a sitar guitar amongst others to give that authentic Eastern feel.”
Years in the making, The Roaring Waves gathers seven instrumental compositions that move fluidly between the cinematic and the intimate. Written and recorded intermittently over nearly a decade, at Racket Club and the pair’s home studios, the album emerged from an organic, improvisational process, jams and shared ideas forming its backbone as both players explored a dynamic defined by sensitivity and mutual respect.
“You’re trying to create an atmosphere, like painting a picture,” says Rothery. “Taking people on a journey.”
A meeting of two of British prog’s most distinctive guitar voices is a rare treat, and The Roaring Waves sounds like the unhurried, painterly record their fans have long hoped for.
For more on Genesis and Marillion, head to RAMzine.
