SONIC TAPESTRY

Formed in Northwich, England, SONIC TAPESTRY emerged around 2009 starting as a local Cheshire jam band but steadily began to find interest in classic 70s prog artists ranging from Yes, Focus, Caravan, Pink Floyd, Gentle Giant, Rush and most of all early Genesis. The band that features Steve Forster (lead vocals, bass, flute), John Byrne (vocals, drums), Giles Ashley (lead guitar) and Sean Byrne (keyboards) has played well over 100 gigs in its locality and released its first album "Aftermath" in 2017. Haven taken its time to construct a competent followup, the newest release INTO THE SUN has emerged in 2024 with a total of nine tracks that slight exceed the 61-minute mark.

While thrown into the neo-prog camp, SONIC TAPESTRY is one of those melting pot prog bands that actually finds inspiration in various nooks and crannies tucked away in the greater prog universe and beyond. While neo-inspirations are derived from bands like Arena, IQ, Pallas and Marillion, so too are the spacier realms derived with Porcupine Tree, Ozric Tentacles, Pink Floyd and Eloy finding some moments of recognition. Also SONIC TAPESTRY infuses ample doses of harder rock. Rush, Porcupine Tree, Riverside and other heavier prog bands find a bit of contrast to the mostly mellower side of the prog equation on INTO THE SUN. Likewise symphonic prog from Yes, Kansas and Camel weave their way into this tapestry. Sticking to the neo-prog protocol, INTO THE SUN features an overall nebulous concept about being overwhelmed by the state of the world we find ourselves in at the moment in the 21st century and the effects of over-stimulation in the information age.

While the album starts off with the Eloy sounding keyboard introductory track "Aurora Awakens," the album takes off with the 11-minute plus "New Beginning" which reveals the band's proclivities for reaching outside of the world of neo-prog for more electronic based textures from Steven Wilson or Porcupine Tree but soon finds itself wending and winding through various motifs and genre changes with folky strummed guitar ceding into a heavier distorted rock drive. Likewise the vocals also sound a bit Wilson influenced although rather distinct however Steve Forster doesn't quite have the distinct vox box of Mr Wilson and has a rather middle of the road vocal style without a very dynamic range which deflates the musical performances significantly however he plays a mean Tullish flute throughout the album's run. The album features synth-rich layers of atmosphere as well as orchestral tidbits. The neo-prog characteristics are fairly diminished and even Giles Ashley's guitar soloing evokes a bit of the Steve Hackett sweeps but also offers more bluesy approaches.

The production is really good with the recording and mixing done by keyboardist Sean Byrne with all the instrumentation sounding extremely well recorded and each sparkling with the proper tones and timbres. Overall SONIC TAPESTRY delivers a competent slab of neo / symphonic prog however the band seems to be lacking that extra something that really makes this album sound dynamic. My biggest complaint is the mediocrity in the vocal department as a more animated singer would do wonders. One of the biggest mistakes so many prog bands make is focusing on excellent instrumentation but skimping on the vocals which always makes the album sound lopsided to my ears. Likewise the compositions are elegantly designed but nothing here really sticks out as memorable either. It's not that the band's sound is generic but rather it sounds like its a watered down version of too many ingredients that didn't gel together completely during the alchemic process. A good modern prog release but not a great one either.