Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
It is not the first time that Steve Hackett has employed the nature of another place in which to invoke the stirrings of imagery, and yet, the concept of Wolflight is one that perhaps goes further than ever before to reach out beyond the natural and self imposed boundary and limits in which some fans of the virtuoso performer seem to place upon the experiences they feel when listening to the musician. It is a convention that has always required confrontation, one with a velvet glove and a sweet beauty, but still the challenge of perspective freedom must be attained.
Wolflight not only challenges, it dares to be contradicted, it sets down new rules of hearing Steve Hackett and it may be one that for some will come as, not perhaps a shock, but an alarm, the jolt of the comfortable knocked over and for that it is a perspective of a new enlightened period which must be relished in full.
Inspiration runs through Wolflight like a lion scenting prey on the other side of the grassy plains, it bleeds through with the passionate anger of wanting something more, something different, it is the lion hunting down prey on the scale of a grand majestic elephant and convention, that principle in which states such things cannot happen, gets shattered and demolished in the course of ten distinct and contrary musical experiences.
As The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway changed Genesis, so Wolflight changes Steve Hackett. There are so many elements to the album that a single sitting on a Friday night and with the lights turned down low, the only other sound is the steady breath of a loved one, can master. It is an album of such depth, so many surprising turns and additions that like The Lamb, will not tolerate only being heard once.
Tracks such as the beautiful but ultimately terrifying Love Song To a Vampire, the feeling of childhood melancholic wistfulness in The Wheel’s Turning, the implication and attitude of Corycian Fire, in which the listener cannot help but think of the last few years in which Mr. Hackett has toured with new reflections of classic Genesis tracks, and the anger and disillusionment with society that becomes intrinsic as Black Thunder growls and storms like Calaban’s resentment towards all who set forth on his island. All capture and frame what it means to take the listener out of the comfort zone and yet still manifest a certain relaxed tranquillity that comes with a man who is perhaps shows the meaning of true musical serenity.
With a line up of musicians that includes many of his touring cohorts, including Roger King, Gary O’ Toole and the superb Nick Beggs and with contributions from the likes of Jo Hackett, Amanda Lehmann and Malik Mansurov, Wolflight is not only different, it is a new way of appreciating Steve Hackett’s overall input to the world of music. Fundamentally haunting and beautifully envisaged!
Steve Hackett releases Wolflight on March 30th.
Ian D. Hall