Troubled times? Suddenly aware of your fate? Time running out? Searching for a state of grace? Prog Metal can save you.
Multi-instrumentalist, multi-talented, classically-trained Grace Hayhurst has delivered a five-track instrumental EP that in its own (almost) wordless way says more about the existential crises of life during pandemic than many a poetic lyricist.
The story goes that Grace endured the particular crisis that inspired this particular music way back in 2017, but I’d wager if she knew then what we all know now, the song would remain the same, if you follow – the music certainly fits the times, reaches out to the emotions to challenge and enhance the mood. It’s a headbanger for your headspace, a thought-provoker, a rollercoaster. Oh, and did I say it rocks? It kicks ass!
Where Am I? opens things up with layered soundscaping and prog-tastic, Porcupine Tree-esque guitars, reaching for the bright stars but with a dark layer of that urban grit that is a recurring element of so much of the best modern post-Prog. The lead guitar is smoking hot, the riffs have Karma To Burn, before a pause for breath and yet more riffage, like Joe Satriani churning out Doom Metal, just for the sheer fun of it.
Negative Incline boasts jazzy keys, more intricate lead guitar, more riffs, then yet more keyboards – may one dare mention Dream Theater, Jordan Rudess and John Petrucci? There, I’ve done it – not for the first time, I confess!
The frequent guitar riffing has an almost military precision with the bass tightly in step. The bass is ace throughout, in fact, and comes to the fore on Negative Incline and The Search For Purpose, which also boasts more graceful keys as it stretches out muscularly to seven minutes 40 (otherwise, the songs are relatively brief and to the point, until the suitably epic and climactic Death Is Final at 6:15).
OK, you could say there’s a certain sameness to the tracks, or at least a familiar modus operandi that is successfully repeatable. But despite the modern-day expertise involved, the sheer “she did most of this herself”, computer-aided cleverness of it, this attention-grabbing debut is not simply a technical achievement as the playing hums with the raw revelation of human joy – there’s a real personality here, with real character, making a determined statement of intent.
Among many telling contributions are Andrew Scott’s drums and Jonah Robertson’s spoken words on the title track. It’s a concept, dude! – vocal samples and recurring sound effects, including the beat of a heart, hint at a Dark Side Of The Moon depth and ambition. It’s Steven (Wilson), it’s Devin (Townsend), it’s seven (out of 10, at least!).
The self-released Existence Is Temporary is available on various formats now from Bandcamp, and on streaming platforms.