Pagan Harvest: Earth’s Secret Engine

Pagan Harvest formed a few years ago and are based out of Bristol, UK. Although the band members met in school, the beginnings of the band did not take place until around 2010. Led by Lawrence Reed and Steve Daymond the band has released three full length albums:

Pagan Harvest (2015)
Sacred River (2018)
Earth’s Secret Engine (2023)

The band’s music combines English folk music with pastoral and progressive influences, all with a certain amount of quirkiness, inundated with beautiful melodies. The latest album titled Earth’s Secret Engine is excellent, and if you enjoy the more pastoral side of progressive rock, you will surely appreciate what Pagan Harvest is all about. The vocals of Sam Walker are enchanting and angelic, very melodic, adding an ethereal beauty to much of the album. It is a slow-paced album but with multiple layers of instrumentation, all exceptionally played, there is plenty of interest generated. Male vocals are also used, although to a lesser extent, adding some deeper tones here and there. The production is immaculate, each instrument can be heard with an abundance of clarity, especially through a good set of headphones.

The album is bookended by the title track and the album ending “Vultures� with the former featuring a stunning choir vocal intro, delicious melodies, and classy musicianship, while the latter is a more experimental offering with spoken word, exotic Eastern sounds, and wild flute flourishes. The band’s creativity is well at hand. More highlights include the vibrant and quirky “Push The Plough� with outstanding acoustic guitar threading through the soundscape, the three part “Nature’s Song� where acoustic guitar and organ intertwine yielding exhilarating results, and the dramatic intro in “Damascus�, before settling into a fine vocal and guitar arrangement.

Pagan Harvest makes music that is, at times quite subtle, and it takes time to peel back the layers. But when you do the fruits of your labour will make it all worthwhile. Highly recommended, especially for those who appreciate the more acoustic side of prog.

Band members:
Sam Walker (lead vocals)
Lawrence Reed (guitar, keyboards, percussion, vocals)
Steve Daymond (bass, vocals and guitar on “Fun Rides�)
Ellie Daymond (drums)

Track Listing:
1. Earth’s Secret Engine (8:44)
2. Push The Plough (6:56)
3. One More Notch (6:31)
4. Nature Ascending (3:31)
5. Damascus (5:37)
6. Nature’s Song (7:59)
7. The Last Cock Crew (3:10)
8. Fun Rides (2:44)
9. Vultures (5:05)

Added: December 2nd 2023
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 627
Language: english

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