Matt Steady – Fire Scroll : Ascension EP
Independent Leicester based musician Matt Steady, whose influences and studio output range from bluesy, gospel-rock & folk to primarily instrumental, sonically vivid widescreen nuCeltic prog (the latter a trait and strength of latest album, Prescence) is pulling out all the conceptualised, Celtic-prog stops for his next album, Flight of the Raven (scheduled to be released later in the year).
The most ambitious and all-encompassing work to date from the genre-crossing multi-instrumentalist (guitars, violin, keys, uillean pipes), the fully instrumental Flight of the Raven will consist of four long-form pieces known as 'Scrolls.'
Combined, they make a part sci-fi story/ part musical journey on the hypothetical question of what if Celtic life and lore dominated in the 21st century, and beyond, to the stars.
Prior to the album each Scroll will be released individually and sequentially, as EP singles (with part-of-the-story artwork by Eddie Wilson).
The first is seventeen-and-a-half minute soundscape piece 'Fire Scroll : Ascension,' which is accompanied by an official video playing to the beauty of the natural world and a child’s wonder of space.
From atmospheric synth-drone opening, Daniel Day’s Celtic whistle (Day is also the featured bassist), delicate piano from guest player Dave Bainbridge and melodic guitar interjections (plus broadcast styled commentary and field recording/ birdsong), 'Fire Scroll' starts its ascension with a King Crimson-esque rock-fusion section led by Matt Steady’s wild and free flowing guitar atop a funky groove supplied by Daniel Day and featured drummer Terl Bryant.
There then follows an emotive Celtic rock passage that develops into a melodic refrain featuring, at different times, lead guitar, uillean pipes, low whistle and piano.
Lone pipes then take over the refrain/ theme to close out, in effect, the first movement of Ascension.
The second part, after a segway of rippling piano lines and more effective rock guitar, settles into a new, more delicate and moving refrain led by Matt Steady’s violin befoe changing up to a rock variation of the theme.
The piece then switches to another rock-fusion section (Daniel Day & Terl Bryant again laying down an effective, pseudo-funky rhythm for Matt Steady’s guitar to play over) before returning to the original 'Fire Scroll' theme in, first, rock mode, before a short violin & piano conclusion.
As the majestic and progressive sweep of 'Fire Scroll: Ascension' heralds, Flight of the Raven promises to be as brave and bold an undertaking as it is striking in its widescreen endeavours and progressive rock meets Celtic artistry.
Meanwhile, strap in for launch and fire thrusters for Ascension…
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
A crowdfunding scheme, which runs until the 9th of July, has been set up to help fund the album, although it should be noted, and to Matt Steady’s artistic credit, the album will still be completed and released even if the funding goal is not reached.
To help support the project, check out the crowdfunding items, find out more about the album and all the related merch (including t-shirts based on the Fire Scroll artwork), head to: https://mattsteady.com/
The most ambitious and all-encompassing work to date from the genre-crossing multi-instrumentalist (guitars, violin, keys, uillean pipes), the fully instrumental Flight of the Raven will consist of four long-form pieces known as 'Scrolls.'
Combined, they make a part sci-fi story/ part musical journey on the hypothetical question of what if Celtic life and lore dominated in the 21st century, and beyond, to the stars.
Prior to the album each Scroll will be released individually and sequentially, as EP singles (with part-of-the-story artwork by Eddie Wilson).
The first is seventeen-and-a-half minute soundscape piece 'Fire Scroll : Ascension,' which is accompanied by an official video playing to the beauty of the natural world and a child’s wonder of space.
From atmospheric synth-drone opening, Daniel Day’s Celtic whistle (Day is also the featured bassist), delicate piano from guest player Dave Bainbridge and melodic guitar interjections (plus broadcast styled commentary and field recording/ birdsong), 'Fire Scroll' starts its ascension with a King Crimson-esque rock-fusion section led by Matt Steady’s wild and free flowing guitar atop a funky groove supplied by Daniel Day and featured drummer Terl Bryant.
There then follows an emotive Celtic rock passage that develops into a melodic refrain featuring, at different times, lead guitar, uillean pipes, low whistle and piano.
Lone pipes then take over the refrain/ theme to close out, in effect, the first movement of Ascension.
The second part, after a segway of rippling piano lines and more effective rock guitar, settles into a new, more delicate and moving refrain led by Matt Steady’s violin befoe changing up to a rock variation of the theme.
The piece then switches to another rock-fusion section (Daniel Day & Terl Bryant again laying down an effective, pseudo-funky rhythm for Matt Steady’s guitar to play over) before returning to the original 'Fire Scroll' theme in, first, rock mode, before a short violin & piano conclusion.
As the majestic and progressive sweep of 'Fire Scroll: Ascension' heralds, Flight of the Raven promises to be as brave and bold an undertaking as it is striking in its widescreen endeavours and progressive rock meets Celtic artistry.
Meanwhile, strap in for launch and fire thrusters for Ascension…
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
A crowdfunding scheme, which runs until the 9th of July, has been set up to help fund the album, although it should be noted, and to Matt Steady’s artistic credit, the album will still be completed and released even if the funding goal is not reached.
To help support the project, check out the crowdfunding items, find out more about the album and all the related merch (including t-shirts based on the Fire Scroll artwork), head to: https://mattsteady.com/