Steve Hackett and Steve Rothery – The Roaring Waves

“The Roaring Waves,” is the debut collaborative instrumental album by progressive rock guitar legends Steve Hackett (ex-Genesis) and Steve Rothery (Marillion). Many people have been anticipating a collaboration from these two legendary guitarists for years. The new album was released on August 28, 2026, through Inside Out Music. With both of their busy schedules, this collaboration has been in the works for over eight years. They created a 45-minute album that is deep with the themes of the ocean and the sea.

The album was recorded, when each had time, at London’s Racket Club along with their own home studios. Steve Rothery admits that the theme and concept was inspired by his upbringing in the coastal town of Whitby, in the UK. Keyboard innovations from Italian keyboardist/bassist, Riccardo Romano; who also co-wrote, engineered, and mixed the record, helped add dimension to the sounds of the innovative and intricate guitar riffs from the Steves.

“The Roaring Waves,” was produced with the music of Steve Hackett, who plays electric and acoustic guitars, harmonica, and sings backing vocals; Steve Rothery, who plays electric guitar, bass guitar, occasional keyboards, and sings backing vocals; Riccardo Romano, who plays keyboards and bass guitar; Daniele Pomo, who plays drums on tracks 1–5; and Leon Parr, who plays drums on tracks 6 and 7.

Backing vocals on the album were sung by the following: Jo Hackett, Jo Rothery, Jennifer Rothery, and Michael Rothery. Production and mixing were completed by Riccardo Romano. The album was mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios.

The concept of the album was: “You’re trying to create an atmosphere… like painting a picture,” says Steve Rothery. “Taking people on a journey.”

“The Storm,” opens the album with powerful electric guitar riffs, orchestrated strings, and a soundscape full of emotions. Daniele Pomo’s building drums, help add the dangers of the surf and sea, spinning around the soundscape. But it’s the electric guitar innovations which make this song so foreboding. I think I can tell whose guitar is playing which notes, but not knowing also helps you to concentrate on appreciating thew whole piece of music, in itself.

“Sandsend,” opens with Daniele Pomo on drums, and the two guitarists trading guitar riffs. This is a more relaxing track, and one that would be great to play at a quiet dinner party. The keyboards from Riccardo Romano add so much to the sound of the songscape. After all, both guitarists have wonderful keyboardists in their bands and throughout their musical discographies.

“Red Dragon,” has an accompanying music video which is excellent, and should be seen, to appreciate the musicians’ performances. The opening has an almost bagpipe sound to it, with the hurdy gurdy playing; before Daniele Pomo plays his drums, and the guitarists join in. There is a story to the Red Dragon, which Steve Hackett describes: “Red Dragon was the name of the ship that was used by the East India Trading Company in its early years. I used a sitar guitar amongst others to give that authentic Eastern feel…” And yes, it is one of the best songs on the album, because of the use of that sitar guitar.

“The Roaring Waves,” is the title track, and one of the longest songs on the album. It opens with one of those absolutely thrilling, and spine-tingling electric guitar openings and solos that almost every great Steve Hackett solo album and song has at its root. Strings and orchestration follow dramatically, along with a deep, low electric guitar solo. Daniele Pomo joins in on drums, as the soundscape builds. An excellent, traditional Hackett-like solo catalog piece, that highlights what many fans were hoping for in this collaboration. Rothery’s guitar playing so well compliments and moves fluidly within the designs of this intricate, cinematic piece of instrumental music, that you can tell these two were bound to work together.

“K-129,” is the longest track on the album. The song is about the famous Soviet nuclear submarine, K-129; which was lost in the Pacific Ocean, during the Cold War. There have been many theories about its sinking, and the whereabouts of its crew of nearly 100 men. Some even contend that some of the crew may have defected to the USA. The music of electric guitars, keyboards, bass and drums help amplify a wonderful deep ocean espionage and intrigue for the music. The electric guitar submarine-like sounds and rounding fathoms of keyboards make this another of the best tracks on the album.

“The Black Sea,” opens with softer drums from Leon Parr. This track also has a supporting music video, which was first released as part of the early single releases. The video opens from fellow Genesis bandmate, Peter Gabriel’s, lakeside view, of Real-World Studios. It proceeds to show the two Steve’s performing together, from “center stage,” at Real-World Studios, with the full band. This performance displays the intricacies of the balance between these two guitar legends. Steve Rothery comments: “I think The Black Sea is the perfect introduction to the sonic world we’ve created between us. We have a very special chemistry.” Steve Hackett adds: “For ‘The Black Sea’, our joint guitar sounds with the keys created a strong vibe of intrigue along with a sense of a musical dark sea adventure…”

The “Pacific Coast Highway,” opens with another surprise, that Genesis fans may not have known about, if they didn’t pick up any of Steve Hackett’s solo albums. Steve Hackett plays a mean mouth organ, French harp, or as the rest of the world calls it, a harmonica. And when you know the history of the Pacific Coast Highway of the 1930s through the 1950s, that instrument was essential to the music of the era. This song reminds me a little of The Mission’s ode to a similar time and place, “Can’t See the Ocean Through the Rain,” though, that song has no harmonica, like this one. Les Parr’s drums and Steve’s harmonica really bring the blues to bear on this song. The Hammond-like keyboard sounds also help take you back in time. A bluesy number to close this album. Bet you never dreamed that would happen? Me either. But it is a nice surprise.

I look at Steve Hackett and Steve Rothery’s “The Roaring Waves,” as an introduction. At least I and their fans really hope it is. It is a short quencher for the long wait we have all had to endure. Hopefully, they will be able to spend more time together, and find a great singer they both like, and bring back at least one more collaborative album for all of us fans of both legends. This was a great surprise, and I don’t think anyone who is a fan of both men will want to see this collaboration end or not be grateful that this did happen. As usual; sorry guys, we want more.