Steve Hackett – “Surrender of Silence”

Steve Hackett – Surrender of Silence (Inside Out Music, 2021)

For most artists his age, one album would be enough in a year. But for someone who is as creative and talented as Steve Hackett, one is obviously not enough. He must have been extremely busy and creative during the pandemic of 2020. He had prepared to tour with his Genesis Revisited tours and when they cancelled, because of Covid-19, he decided to put pen to paper and finger to guitar and start creating more music. As fans, we get the  benefit of more new music, plus the opportunity to see him live, late this and next year. It is a wonderful bonus we should all be grateful to receive.

I reviewed his earlier release this year, Under a Mediterranean Sky, an absolutely loved it. So, I am lucky enough now to review his second album released this year, Surrender of Silence, which will be availableon 10th September 2021. Both albums produced “buckets” of songs, with the earlier album consisting of 11 tracks, and Surrender of Silence, consisting of another 11. Twenty-two songs in a year. Not bad for any artist. Proof, that Steve is still prolific. He also has released work on other artists albums this year, including my next review Amanda Lehmann’s new album. He plans to tour this year and next with the Genesis Revisited Tour from fall 2021 through 2022. Did I say prolific?

Steve Hackett, recorded Surrender of Silence with his regular touring band of Roger King, (keyboards, programming and orchestral arrangements), Rob Townsend, (sax, clarinet), Jonas Reingold, (bass), Nad Sylvan, (vocals) and Craig Blundell, (drums). But this time he went bigger including one of my favorites, Phil Ehart, on drums from the band Kansas, and Nick D’Virgilio, (drums). He also included the vocal talents of Amanda Lehmann, Durga and Lorelei McBroom. He added Christine Townsend, (violin, viola), Malik Mansurov, (tar) and Sodirkhon Ubaidulloev, on (dutar).

Steve Hackett states, “Lockdown cobwebs are blown away in one fell-swoop here! With the monster rhythm section of Jonas, Craig, Nick and Phil along with Rob’s soaring sax and bass clarinet, Nad, Amanda and myself on vocals, Roger’s darkly powerful organ and my guitar, we plunge full-pelt into that wild release of energy.”

“The Obliterati”, is a heavier, overture for the opening of the album. Absolutely brilliant as always. Another great sonic boom, from a master of the axe…complete with drums of thunder.

Theater music that would make Danny Elfman jealous, opens the Russian classic, “Natalia”. A tragic story from the imperial age of the Czars. Excellent theatrics and cinematic splendor with more thunder drums and an atomic and blistering guitar solo. Powerful keyboards from Roger King to top it all off.

With a title like, “Relaxation Music For Sharks: Featuring Feeding Frenzy”, you know you are in store for some fun and adventure. Steve does not disappoint. Roger King takes us under the water with keys and synths, then Steve gives us guitar sounds familiar from The Lamb. Then a race to the bottom, or at least away from the menace chasing. That big bold guitar sound, coupled with the drum run is awesome. Swim faster to avoid the “Hackett to Pieces”, axe wielding frenzy roaring your way. Enough excitement for any show. Would like to see this one played live.

“Wingbeats”, is Steve’s duet with new prog sensation Amanda Lehmann. More on her in my review of her solo album, coming soon. Durga and Lorelei McBroom join in on vocal support to bring this Disney – like celebration of Africa to life. Wonderful guitar soloing, mixed well with pounding drums and as much theatrics as you would imagine to bring this wonderful vast and diverse continent to life.

I doubt he has one, but Steve’s imagination conjured this magnificent representation of what “The Devil’s Cathedral”, might sound like. Plenty of pipe organ sounds, flutes and pipes a plenty. Eerie yes, but what were you expecting, after all. Steve’s guitar solos and Nad Sylvan’s vocals are a perfect fit in this cathedral of phantoms. Vincent Price, you are remembered…fondly here.

“Held In The Shadows”, has a wonderful Kansas/Genesis sound mix to it. Must be the influence of Phil Ehart. Full of powerful guitar and kick ass drums. Huh? You didn’t think Hackett could play metal…more fool you.

“Shanghai To Samarkand”, is like a trip back to “The Red Flower of Tachai Blossoms Everywhere”; and like me, you will be grateful for the return journey. Only this time, Steve adds an eerie stellar guitar solo to the mix, and some wonderful Asian travelling music, to boot. Wonderful. Thanks Steve for the trip back to one of my favorites.

“Fox’s Tango”, is another powerful, heavy metal guitar and drums rocker, yes, on a Steve Hackett record. Yes, Steve absolutely can rock. He is not Jimmy Page, but he is out to prove he has the muscle left to go a few rounds with the last surviving axe master of our time. Next time Steve, take a bow to it and let’s hear how that sounds from you!

Down to Mexico, for the famous, “Day Of The Dead”. Violins hail the “mourning” sun, as an avalanche of macabre sounds soon follows. A string orchestra, and a powerful guitar solo with thundering drums beckons the zombies to march.

“Scorched Earth”, is a sad commentary on the state of the environment on our planet Earth. Steve Hackett and Amanda Lehmann, duet, in hopes of awakening us to save our planet. Yes, “tomorrow’s dreams”.

“Esperanza”, belongs on Under a Mediterranean Sky. But it sounds great here as the epic acoustic closer. Thank you. Like Ringo’s “Goodnight” on the White Album…without words.

“It’s a ‘no holds barred’ album,” says Steve Hackett, “riding that wave, unleashing those demons, dreams and nightmares, all crashing together over the shore.

“I enjoyed the power of this album allowing my guitar to scream in joy and rage, and once again flying across those oceans to distant lands. It’s terrific to connect creatively with musicians from far flung places, particularly when we’ve all been unable to meet. We all have a voice in our cacophony of sound and we cry out together in the Surrender of Silence!”

This album was yet another elegant journey through Steve Hackett’s nightmares and imagination. Every song is a masterpiece from a master guitar player and composer. Sit back with headphones and let your ears drink this in and enjoy it like fine wine. Thanks Steve…what a year!

Track Listing:

1. The Obliterati (02:17)
2. Natalia (06:17)
3. Relaxation Music For Sharks (Featuring Feeding Frenzy) (04:36)
4. Wingbeats (05:20)
5. The Devil’s Cathedral (06:31)
6. Held In The Shadows (06:20)
7. Shanghai To Samarkand (08:27)
8. Fox’s Tango (04:21)
9. Day Of The Dead (06:25)
10. Scorched Earth (06:03)
11. Esperanza (01:04)

Steve Hackett shares writing credits with both Jo Hackett and Roger King on several tracks. All tracks were recorded by Roger King and produced by Steve Hackett with Roger King at Siren.

Surrender of Silence is released on 10th September 2021 as a Limited-Edition CD+Blu-ray Mediabook in hardcover slipcase, Standard CD Jewel case, Gatefold 2LP+CD & LP-Booklet and Digital Album via Inside Out Music.

https://www.hackettsongs.com/

https://www.facebook.com/stevehackettofficial/