North Sea Echoes | Really Good Terrible Things

by Derric Miller — Managing Editor—

Ray Alder and Jim Matheos, of Fates Warning fame, can do no wrong. Regardless if they work together or on their various projects, it’s all gold. So what did you expect on their new project, North Sea Echoes? Yes, more of the same surreal success …

This release, Really Good Terrible Things, is unexpected. It’s ambient, soothing, and nothing like heard before from these gents. Is it good, though? One of the best this year so far, easily.

“Open Book” opens the release, which really was written as an album since the flow from song to song is smooth as warm butter, and when Alder sings lines like “Every day is just an open book, with the words flying off the pages,” you’ll feel serene in the lyrics and vocal mastery.

“Throwing Stones” is a tad more upbeat than the other songs, more of a storytelling vibe than just a poignant warmth, but it’s still mesmerizing.

The track “Empty” is a darkly weird venture. The music swallows you, makes you uncomfortable in its unbalanced wavers. There had to be a synthesizer in there; even Matheos can’t create this eneven melody on guitar … can he?

It’s more of the same throughout, sometimes dream-like, sometimes brooding, but always impressive. If you haven’t heard it yet, you are in for a unique surprise when you finally do.

Genre: Progressive, Atmospheric Rock

Band: Ray Alder, vocals
Jim Matheos, guitars

Tracklisting:

1. Open Book
2. Flowers in Decay
3. Unmoved
4. Throwing Stones
5. Empty
6. The Mission
7. Where I’m From
8. We Move Around the Sun
9. Touch the Sky
10. No Maps

Online: https://www.metalblade.com/us/artists/north-sea-echoes/

Hardrock Haven rating: (8.8 / 10)