THIS WINTER MACHINE
VENUE TALKING HEADS, SOUTHAMPTON DATE 26/08/2018 SUPPORT SERVANTS OF SCIENCE
There’s a niche market in modern prog for bands who juxtapose the tranquillity of instruments like keyboards and acoustic guitars with the upbeat energy of grooving percussion. and as they take to the stage to perform their ironically titled debut album The Swan Song in full, Servants Of Science can add themselves to that select group, alongside names such as nordic Giants, Messenger and exploring Birdsong.
The group may not be the most enthralling concept visually – the band members often remain firm-footed, while bassist andy Bay stays hidden behind frontman neil Beards – but their modern pop- and indie-flavoured take on the melancholia of Pink Floyd and david Bowie makes their set an undeniable success. The showcase hits its apex with tracks such as Peripheral and the stomping Kaleidoscope, which add sombre, symphonic undertones that increase the emotional drama of the evening.
Musically, the eclecticism of Servants Of Science makes them excel just as much as tonight’s headliners This winter Machine. while the opening act make for an enveloping union of old and new, their successors place themselves firmly into the former category by creating vintage prog rock that’s heavily reminiscent of rush and King Crimson, with one or two splashes of dream Theater.
There are echoes of the old guard of experimental music peppered throughout the band’s lengthy songs: al wynter’s soft vocalisations harbour memories of Peter Gabriel and Greg lake, while the band’s intricate guitars and keys emulate Steve Hackett and Jordan rudess respectively.
despite still riding on the acclaim of their debut album The Man who never was, the six-piece implement the intriguing tactic of performing the entirety of their upcoming sophomore release, a Tower Of Clocks. The idea of filling the vast majority of a 90-minute performance with material that attendees have never heard before is definitely an eyebrow-raising one. However, an invested Southampton crowd, as well as the band’s adherence to the experimental and melodic elements that made The Man who never was a success, lays any qualms to rest.
wynter’s lyricism is also a key ingredient in This winter Machine’s success tonight, with the lGBT-inspired delta and the more venomous Hunt revolving around real-world themes that the audience seem to fully identify with.
Overall, both of tonight’s bands shine brightly, but for vastly different reasons: Servants Of Science bring a cross-generation uniqueness to the table, while This winter Machine cater to the nostalgia of prog rock’s yesteryears and use their headline slot to create an all-encompassing, relatable journey.