Ghost Of The Machine, from the UK, have returned with their follow-up album to the critically acclaimed, 2022 debut, album, Scissorgames. The new album, Empires Must Fall, will be released on March 7th, through ProgRock.com’s Essentials.
The band is comprised of Charlie Bramald (Age of Distraction, ex-Nova Cascade) and former This Winter Machine members: Graham Garbett, Mark Hagan, Stuart McAuley, Andy Milner, and Scott Owens.
Empires Must Fall, “Explores “denser and darker arrangements that”—Bramald promises—will “scratch that ‘prog’ itch while striking a careful balance between shorter, more accessible songs and those epic-length pieces that we’re known for.”
Empires Must Fall tells a continuation of the story that started with the ‘Scissors’ suite on the previous album. Bramald adds, “Our first record concluded with the tyrannical Puppet King being vanquished by his final victim… she slew him with a pair of scissors! So, we wondered what the consequences of that violent but liberating final act would be. We started with a simple question which has only complex answers: what is true justice? Is the Puppet King’s slayer—the newly crowned Empress of the Light—succeeding at being a benevolent ruler? Can she right all the wrongs that she herself had suffered? And what will it take to finally break the cycle of violence and coercion?”
In January, ahead of the March release date, Ghost Of The Machine will be promoting the new album at shows across the length of the UK, including first-time appearances in Glasgow, Southampton, Abingdon and Nuneaton.
Sounds very interesting huh?
I’m in, and that’s why we are here.
The album opens with “Keepers of the Light”. It is a song, full of the prog orchestra, Ghost of the Machine usually brings to the table. The skilled guitar playing, then the keyboards, that electrify; before Charlie Bramald, with that excitable high range voice sings, “Look to the light. Building bridges across the horizon. Joining lines on the map of a road that will take me anywhere! I’ll follow the track in search of a meaning, I’m yearning for. My blinding ambition explodes into the air! Then powerful keyboards along with grinding electric guitars and pulsating drums. Later we hear cascading keyboard melodies that will remind you of Rush’s “Camera Eye”. The electric guitars and keyboards really give this song a great Rush feel. Towards the last section of the song you can hear sounds reminiscent of Yes and Pallas. Off to a great start, with this prog-powered, over 8 minute rocker!
“The Days That Never Were”, opens with soft, far-off keys and some wonderful bass, before the rest of the electric guitars join in to set a new faster Rush pace. Charlie sings, “She was unforgiveable!” The piano playing and Charlie’s emotional vocal delivery really helps bring out the full emotional power of this track. At six minutes it is one of the shortest songs on the album, but it is worthy, on its own.
“Panopticon”, is one of the best songs on the album. It opens slowly with cool percussion and soft drums. Then, those cool, blazing keyboards. Absolutely fantastic electric guitar, then sets the pace. A blistering electric guitar solo rises above the soundscape to lift your spirits. Then, Hammond organ! Taking me back to Nursery Crime and all my favorite progressive classics. Power hungry drums pace-setting, along with lead electric guitar. Absolutely excellent! Charlie sings, “Prisoners of a lone desire. Paranoid and terrified. Pointing our fingers to place the blame. Pouring our soles into the Panopticon!” A powerful prog epic at almost 12 minutes. Not the Peter Gabriel, recent classic, off i/o. Similar subject matter, with a much different sound. Charlie sings, “Prepare yourself, its time for war! Empires must fall!”
“Fall Through Time”, opens with smooth, cool lead electric guitar and those amazing keyboards. The guitars continue to set the pace, as the keyboards follow on. Charlie sings, “I can’t change my past. But I will change my fate. Time is on my side. I fight for what is right!” The keyboard and lead electric guitar mix is warm and enthusiastic. The drums carry the day though. Then, a deep piano solo, before more unique keys and lead electric guitar. Those cool keyboards you remember from Marillion, Pallas, and Arena, are back…yeah, from back in the day.
“The One”, opens boldly with powerful lead electric guitar. It is the explosive lead single, that the band released on streaming services on the first of January 2025. The story describes, “When an empire built on false foundations finally collides with reality, it all comes crashing down to earth in flames. But rather than admit to her own faults, the Empress will instead pin the blame on the one who had loved her most”. Sounds like something real, we Americans are all going through, right now; only with a male antagonist. Charlie sings, “Thunder clouds are rolling in. As the fires start to light. All the world turns into dust. Underneath the falling skies”. Then he sings, “I can be the one. The one you love. The one you love to hate. I can be the one!”
“After the War”, is the absolute powerhouse, progressive rock, epic, closer, that you want it to be! Charlie sings, with piano accompaniment, “Do we really know? Why we were so afraid to say the words that meant the most. Do we understand? Why we turned and ran away, when the fight got out of hand. Do we know what we were fighting for? Do we know what we will be living for, after the war?” Powerful words, sang with deep emotion, as Charlie always does. Strong words that many of us in the USA are wondering today.
The middle section opens with a beautiful piano solo, before cymbals and guitar join in to set the stage for the second part of this epic adventure. An over 14 minute progressive rock epic that will have you comparing this to some of the best of the 1980s and 90s. Marillion, IQ, Arena and Pallas are the first to come to mind. One of the best songs, on one of my favorite albums of 2025. That spinning melody of so many classic UK progressive epics. Just sit back and take it all in. Charlie sings, “The war is over!” Oh, if only it was true, for this planet. It sounds so wonderful, the words Charlie sings. We all want it to be true…forever! Charlie sings, “Run away, run away with me. Far away from all the fighting and hostility”.
Album Track List:
- Keepers of the Light – 8:35
- The Days That Never Were – 6:00
- Panopticon – 11:45
- Fall Through Time – 12:00
- The One – 4:44
- After the War – 14:32
Empires Must Fall was produced by Bob Cooper. The album was mastered by Grant Berry. The cover art, was created by Claudia Caranfa.
Wow! One of the best albums of 2025, already. This will definitely give Echolyn’s double album release a run for the top progressive album of the year. But that is a great thing. With the amount of talent I have already heard from, just during the first month of the new year; 2025, could be one of the best years for music in a decade. It is starting off epically.
But, please give Ghost of the Machine, their due, with this album, Empires Must Fall. This is one of those albums you will tell friends you remember hearing, when it first came out. You will share it with friends and hope that they understand the wonders of this complete record. Thank you Ghost of the Machine for this and all the albums you have made. And good luck in all the members’ very bright futures. Maybe someday you all will come back and write more for this project. We can only hope. Until then, cheers and thank you for such an epic album!
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://ghostofthemachine.bandcamp.com/album/empires-must-fall-24-bit-hi-res
https://ghostofthemachineofficial.com/music
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcvJ2-3gXZJlOWIUyQh486Q
https://ghostofthemachineofficial.com
https://essentials.progrock.com
https://ghostofthemachine.bandcamp.com
YouTube and Music Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcvJ2-3gXZJlOWIUyQh486Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBAYfl6iL14
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzby-WmmkyI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZs4gIe0QOE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDiAhK1rh4Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktNJYcxboFs