Erewän is a Nice-based, French progressive rock and Celtic rocker who released How Will All This End?, back on December 10, 2021.
Erewän describes the new album as: “It’s a story against violence, war, absurd hate and behavior between humans. A deep dive into psychological human nature and what it has been able to commit in history”.
The lyrics and music bring the audience into a poetic reflection, asking themselves about absurd dramatic situations that we face daily, around the world.
Erewän, wrote all the lyrics and performed all of the music. The album was mixed and mastered by Alexandre Lamia.
This is a wonderful collaboration of Celtic music with progressive rock. Similar to a mix between Blackmore’s Night and the Scottish band Coast, with a little Al Stewart thrown in. That is a great mix indeed. Erewän’s voice reminds me a little of a younger Al Stewart, yes, of Year of the Cat fame. Every song is a deep story of reflection of the times we live in, and in some cases how little has changed over history.
My favorites are: Of course, “Rising Sun on the Shore”, with its sounds of the waves of the sea, set to soft electric guitar and flute. A wonderful morning riser, by the seaside.
“Childhoods”, although it is not Marillion; it brings back memories of Fish’s journey back through that wonderful time that passes way too fast for all of us.
“Walk Away”, is complete with horns and the sounds of Scottish band The Coast. I like the lyrics, which hark back to the past. The guitar work is exceptional.
“Headline”, opens with deep violin and piano. A somber mood met with Erewän’s vocals and an interesting story, plucked form everyday life, unfortunately. A person driven to take up violence, because of loneliness and hatred, breed by neglect. The protagonist takes the final step, a mass or community shooting.
“The Banshee’s Keeling”, is another wonderful Celtic/prog mix that opens in a pub. Full of laughter and the clanging of pints. Flutes and a wonderful jig open the story. Maybe a pub-like song that can be sung in unison with friends.
“Witches of the Middle Ages”, opens with burning fires. Not a good start after what eventually happened to many of them. Flute fills the air as Erewän sings the sad story, of a young woman accused of witchcraft, in a dangerous time. He sounds so much like Al Stewart on this one.
“Twist of Fate”, opens with viola and acoustic guitar. Deep, sad melodies play, as Erewän sings of sad twists of fate that change people’s lives.
“Evil’s in Us”, is full of deep piano and more sad melodies. Erewän tries to get us all to look at the amount and type of evil we allow into our thinking and consciousness. He wants us to recognize how easily we allow it to influence us. He sings, “How will this all end?” “Will we be saved one day?” There remains hope, even in the sadness of the repetition of Man’s mistakes.
Highlands”, is a brilliant way to end the album. Focus back on the bright side and the sounds of nature. Water flowing in a stream, as flutes play, with acoustic guitar. A soft, summer’s day in the Scottish highlands, with clouds drifting overhead, and the sun on your face…until it rains. The most optimistic sounding track on the album.
This was a very surprising album. I had not heard of Erewän, before being asked to review this album. I know his work now and I like it. Erewän, creates great poetic music to make us and the world look at the evil we are allowing against each other and upon the world. He is pleading for change on each song. The music is deep and emotional, and delivered with a folklore-like sound. Give this album a try. I think, like me you will find you want to hear more. I know I, look forward to Erewän’s next album.
Track List
- Rising Sun on the Shore – 4:07
- Childhoods – 5:06
- Walk Away – 5:33
- Headline – 7:07
- The Banshee’s Keening – 5:45
- Witches of the Middle Ages – 4:33
- Twist of Fate – 5:24
- Evil’s in Us – 8:14
- Highlands – 5:49
https://erewan.bandcamp.com/album/how-will-all-this-end-2