Matt Steady – Earth Scroll : Resistance EP
Wholly independent, Leicester based musician Matt Steady, whose influences and studio output range from bluesy, gospel-rock & folk to primarily instrumental, sonically vivid widescreen nuCeltic prog (the latter a trait of latest album, Prescence) is pulling out all the conceptualised, Celtic-prog stops for his next album, Flight of the Raven.
The most ambitious and all-encompassing work to date from the multi-instrumentalist (guitars, violin, keys, whistles, uillean pipes), the fully instrumental Flight of the Raven will consist of four long-form, progressively sculptured pieces known as 'Scrolls.'
Combined, they make a part sci-fi story/ part musical journey on the hypothetical question of what if Celtic life and lore dominated in the 21st century, and beyond, to the stars.
Prior to the album each Scroll will be released individually as EP singles, including part-of-the-story artwork by Eddie Wilson.
Following the release of 'Fire Scroll : Ascension' and 'Air Scroll : Gate Of Souls,' comes 'Earth Scroll : Resistance.'
The near twenty minute 'Resistance' opens with an echoey and reverbed electric guitar that is soon accompanied by Celtic whistle (from Daniel Day, who also plays bass) and uilleann pipes; this short intro is followed by a melodic lead solo line that cries in emotive harmony with, one suspects, the earth itself.
The plaintive opening gives way to a short, eery keyboard passage before some impressive rock guitar soloing takes centre stage (kudos here to the supporting work from drummer Terl Bryant (John Paul Jones, Martin Barre, Iona) and Daniel Day’s bass work).
A transition back to the original, melodic theme then sets up a heavier fusion section (Matt Steady’s guitar plays a much weightier role this time around - this Scroll is earthier in more than just name) before a variation of the original refrain closes out the first movement.
The second movement starts with a heady blend of heavy, guitar-led fusion (think early 70s era King Crimson) meeting Celtic jig head on.
This more frantic piece, with guitar, uilleann pipes, whistle and rhythm section in full cry, then gives way to a highly emotive section where the delicate light and darker shade of Matt Steady’s guitars lead the Celtic blues way (the mirroring of light and dark is cleverly emphasised in the EP's accompanying video).
Another transition leads to a more rhythmic and percussive, eastern influenced passage that shifts in both beat and time; the latter also makes an impact as the darkest, and proggiest, section of the Scroll.
The final part of the multi-shaped 'Resistance' starts, again, rhythmically, before building from a simple keys and guitar sequence to a slightly discordant variation (more jazz-Celtic than nuCeltic) of the original theme.
The piece then shifts one final time to allow guitar, ulleann pipes and whistle to bow out on a repeated refrain that exits on a slow fade.
As the progressive, soundscape sweep of the Fire, Air and Earth Scrolls herald, Flight of the Raven, which also features guest appearances from Dave Brons (guitar) and Dave Bainbridge (piano), promises to be as brave and bold an undertaking as it is striking in its widescreen endeavours and progressive rock meets Celtic artistry.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
An ongoing Crowdfunder for Flight Of The Raven, with associated with merch and perks, can be found on Matt Steady’s website: https://mattsteady.com/
The most ambitious and all-encompassing work to date from the multi-instrumentalist (guitars, violin, keys, whistles, uillean pipes), the fully instrumental Flight of the Raven will consist of four long-form, progressively sculptured pieces known as 'Scrolls.'
Combined, they make a part sci-fi story/ part musical journey on the hypothetical question of what if Celtic life and lore dominated in the 21st century, and beyond, to the stars.
Prior to the album each Scroll will be released individually as EP singles, including part-of-the-story artwork by Eddie Wilson.
Following the release of 'Fire Scroll : Ascension' and 'Air Scroll : Gate Of Souls,' comes 'Earth Scroll : Resistance.'
The near twenty minute 'Resistance' opens with an echoey and reverbed electric guitar that is soon accompanied by Celtic whistle (from Daniel Day, who also plays bass) and uilleann pipes; this short intro is followed by a melodic lead solo line that cries in emotive harmony with, one suspects, the earth itself.
The plaintive opening gives way to a short, eery keyboard passage before some impressive rock guitar soloing takes centre stage (kudos here to the supporting work from drummer Terl Bryant (John Paul Jones, Martin Barre, Iona) and Daniel Day’s bass work).
A transition back to the original, melodic theme then sets up a heavier fusion section (Matt Steady’s guitar plays a much weightier role this time around - this Scroll is earthier in more than just name) before a variation of the original refrain closes out the first movement.
The second movement starts with a heady blend of heavy, guitar-led fusion (think early 70s era King Crimson) meeting Celtic jig head on.
This more frantic piece, with guitar, uilleann pipes, whistle and rhythm section in full cry, then gives way to a highly emotive section where the delicate light and darker shade of Matt Steady’s guitars lead the Celtic blues way (the mirroring of light and dark is cleverly emphasised in the EP's accompanying video).
Another transition leads to a more rhythmic and percussive, eastern influenced passage that shifts in both beat and time; the latter also makes an impact as the darkest, and proggiest, section of the Scroll.
The final part of the multi-shaped 'Resistance' starts, again, rhythmically, before building from a simple keys and guitar sequence to a slightly discordant variation (more jazz-Celtic than nuCeltic) of the original theme.
The piece then shifts one final time to allow guitar, ulleann pipes and whistle to bow out on a repeated refrain that exits on a slow fade.
As the progressive, soundscape sweep of the Fire, Air and Earth Scrolls herald, Flight of the Raven, which also features guest appearances from Dave Brons (guitar) and Dave Bainbridge (piano), promises to be as brave and bold an undertaking as it is striking in its widescreen endeavours and progressive rock meets Celtic artistry.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
An ongoing Crowdfunder for Flight Of The Raven, with associated with merch and perks, can be found on Matt Steady’s website: https://mattsteady.com/