Haven Of Echoes: The Indifferent Stars

The main trio behind new band Haven Of Echoes arrive in the shape of Nerissa Schwarz (electric harp/keys), Wolfgang Obermann (drums) and Andreas Hack, who is credited with ‘all other instruments’ - although the former two are mentioned elsewhere as ‘guests'. Now, if that threesome sounds rather familiar, it’s because they have been the musicians to be found in the excellent Frequency Drift, a band known for producing wonderful, thought provoking progressive rock over the years through a variety of female vocalists. The big difference as they move into Haven Of Echoes is that this time it’s a male voice fronting the band, in the shape of Spires singer Paul Sadler.

What’s caused this shift in focus from Hack, who wrote all bar one of the six songs presented here - Schwarz, a talented solo artist in her own right, provides the wonderful “The Lord Giveth� - I’m not sure, but whatever the motivation, the results are very impressive indeed. Sadler is an impassioned vocal presence, reminding me of a more sorrowful Damian Wilson in that he’s a singer and an emoter rather than being a proud, strutting frontman. With the considered but always lush musical framework that he’s been provided on The Indifferent Stars, it places Haven Of Echoes in a very interesting position indeed, right at the heart of the current trend of mournful, contained progressive rock, but much more bright, vibrant and engaging than the vast majority of outfits filling that space.

“Stasis� is a perfect example of what delights this album serves up, melody always the beating heart of what’s going on, but at the same time there are swathes of synths and Schwarz’s electric harp sweeping just underneath, making for lush but remarkably dark contradictions. It’s these constant questions that the music asks that ensure you remain completely locked in as proceedings play out, the hugely expressive, but never overwrought vocals sparking off the dramatic surges of “Let Them In�, the album’s longest track moving through sections that build and build, only to be knocked right back down to the bare bones of vocals, piano and drums, before the journey begins anew.

“The Orator’s Gift� slithers into life, atmospheric sounds and ethnic percussion reminding of the moods that Fish sometimes plays around with, but there’s an almost pop feel fleeting in and out of play, Talk Talk maybe hinted at as an accessibility whispers in your ear. “Sirensong� and its layered chants and clear but forceful vocals heads us into almost Riverside territory, but here proceedings are maybe even more vulnerable - and it has to be said that Sadler is outstanding. With “The Lord Giveth� even more stark and stripped than anything else on show, the gamut of emotions really are run through, but the clever pacing and intriguing, if hardly cheerful, lyrics ensures a surprisingly varied journey.

Add in excellent cover art and photos of, I presume, Hack and Sadler, and there’s no doubt that everything has been deeply thought through to ensure that this album is a truly cohesive effort in every way. The main event, however, is a set of songs that shimmer and burn as they demand your attention, and I’ve no hesitation in saying that they provide an unmissable experience.

Track Listing
1. Sirensong
2. The Orator’s Gift
3. Stasis
4. Endtime
5. The Lord Giveth
6. Let Them In

Added: October 19th 2022
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Haven of Echoes online
Hits: 554
Language: english

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