Shadows On Mercury released their new EP, Worlds Apart, on Bandcamp and all the known popular streaming services, back on February 2nd, 2024. No, this is not a cover of the famous, well-received Saga album of the same name, (one of my favorites of theirs). This is the debut of a new project involving the collaboration of some wonderful musicians, featuring: Scott Owens on guitars, bass, and programming; Charlie Bramald on vocals; and Tim Lofthouse on keyboards.
My first impression was that Worlds Apart, has the scope and the power of the UK band, Arena’s, early classics. Hopefully, though, Shadows On Mercury can capture some of the success that Saga and Arena had did during the height of their fame, once the full album is released.
Shadows On Mercury, is a prog rock studio project, based in West Yorkshire, UK. The band collaboration began during the Summer of 2020 while the world was in lockdown. The band describes their formation this way: “Prior to the formation of Scott’s current band, Ghost Of The Machine, and unable to rehearse or play live; Scott began work in his home studio, writing and recording an album of demo tracks, that had been weaving their way around his head for months. Once he’d laid down the guitar and bass tracks, basic synth ideas and drum programming, Scott asked his good friend Tim, from The Lowells, if he would like to put the keyboards and synths down for the project. Tim was onboard immediately, and his ideas and keyboard wizardry carried these songs to another level completely. After a few months of fine-tuning the tracks, Scott knew he needed a vocalist/lyricist to complete his vision for this project. Enter Charlie, lead singer, and Scott’s bandmate in Ghost Of The Machine. Charlie instantly gripped the direction Scott wanted to go with the music, and crafted stunning lyrics that brought both the music and concept of the project to life”.
And so, it begins…
“The Silence”, opens with Arena – like guitar chords and beautiful keyboards. Charlie Bramald sings, with a heart full of emotion, “I walk alone into the silence. Not a sound, no screams or sirens. Hypnotized by the burning skies. A special kind of violence. Ruptures the horizon. As the sky falls from above. Take one last look at what you love. We refuse to see this tragedy. What were we thinking of. Is this the end you would have chosen?” Wow! Imagine being in that place and time; watching the Earth unravel. What would you feel? What would be your mood, and how would you respond? I think Charlie does an excellent job of capturing the feelings we might all have, at that terrifying moment. Charlie continues, “If your eyes and ears and minds were open. Complacency will set you free. It’ll only take a moment. This is no time for emotion. So much left unsaid, so much left undone. And the question still remains – did we get what we deserved? The cities fall and the seas and rivers burn. But no one cares to answer – just silence at the end of the world”. Easily one of the best songs on the EP. A real eyes-wide-opener, album kick off.
“Calculate (Control)”, is a much moodier song. It opens with deep, sad, keyboards and piano. Then, the guitars and drums are unleashed, as Charlie sings, “Anticipating. Accelerating. To the edge of something we cannot defend. Hesitating. Afraid of failing. But you’ve already worked out how this, ends. Every calculation laid before me in matrices. All the cells in the columns and rows show the possibilities”. It sounds so much like so many Arena classics that I loved and have listened to many times. Though, this is no copy, just a similar sound which I and any fan of Arena, will enjoy. Charlie then sings about our modern social and other media, who use algorithms to predict and control our lives. (Last night, by coincidence, I watched the 2017, movie, The Circle, with Tom Hanks and Emma Watson). Now I am reliving it, in this song. Charlie sings, “Your application. For my equation. Tells me all of your desires and needs. Delegating. Your thoughts and feelings. I’ll tell you anything you want to believe. Every simulation shows the outcome you paid to see. Submission on a global scale to a false reality”.
“The Flood”, is another of the best songs on this album full of greatest hits. The keyboards and synthesizers are absolutely amazing and provide a soundscape which sets the stage perfectly for Charlie’s vocals. He sings, “I’d never slept so soundly. You saved me on the day you found me. But the nightmares returned when the last of my bridges was burned. I was swallowed by that sinking feeling. From the second you said you were leaving. Reliving this moment is pulling me under the foam. Under the foam. How can you sleep so soundly? Can’t you see that you left me drowning?” A powerful and emotional song, sang with feeling by Charlie Bramald.
“The King of Broken Things”, opens with solemn keyboards and soft piano. Then, they unleash the electric guitars, bass, and drums. Charlie Bramald sings, “You twist my words around your fingertips. Just to scatter them like ashes in the wind. Picking up the pieces, I make myself a crown. My self-proclamation rings out through the town. Listen closely now, I know you lost your way. If you follow me, you won’t be led astray. I’m the king of broken things, healing hearts from my golden halls. Crowds are gathered from far and wide to watch my rise and fall”. At times, Charlie almost sounds like Al Stewart, from Year of the Cat fame. Which is meant to be a great compliment. Charlie continues, “The court of fools is in session once again. Going round the table, meaning no offence. They talk in circles, missing out the words they meant. The common man has lost all his common sense”.
“Worlds Apart”, the album closer, opens with ominous synths and keyboards, before the bright-light keyboards enter. Then, an almost Alan Parsons’ chorus-like atmosphere takes hold, before the drums and the guitars are added. Charlie sings, “I watched you taking off. When our world began to burn. Got my shoe stuck in the earth. I guess I’ll never learn. Counting down from ten to launch. The result remains the same. Running far to nowhere fast. Distance fills this empty space”. After some very cool keys and guitars, Charlie sings, “Soaring through the cosmic dust. Particles of time and space we lost. Search the stars for a brand-new start. Feels like nothing’s changed. We’re still worlds apart. Guess we found our common ground. Disagree to disagree. So spread your word across the stars. Take them far away from me!” Charlie closes, after an incredible keyboard solo, “Search the stars for a brand-new start. Feels like nothing’s changed. We’re still worlds apart!”
The Worlds Apart EP is an excellent introduction to Shadows on Mercury! But I want to hear more! This is exceptional music that drifts between Arena, Alan Parsons, and some of Al Stewart’s best. Those are three great references for inspiration. Please give this EP a chance. I know if you like the bands I just mentioned, you will not be able to get enough of this EP. You will be posting to them on social media, “when is the full album coming?” (Just like me). Keep your eyes peeled, I’m sure there will be more from this excellent collaboration. The only question is when. I hope to get an answer to that question, in an interview…
TRACK LIST
1. The Silence
2. Calculate (Control)
3. The Flood
4. The King Of Broken Things
5. Worlds Apart
The Worlds Apart EP was produced, mixed and mastered by Scott Owens. All songs written by Scott Owens. Lyrics and art design by Charlie Bramald. Vocals on tracks 2, 4 and 5 recorded with Dom Bennison from Creative Media Producer, www.dombennison.com. All other parts recorded and programmed by Shadows On Mercury ©2023-2024.
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://shadowsonmercury.bandcamp.com/album/worlds-apart
https://www.facebook.com/ShadowsOnMercury/
YouTube and Music Video Links: