Still Living – ‘Ashes’

(Rock Company Records)

There are albums that entertain, albums that impress, and then there are albums that completely absorb you into their world. Ashes, the latest offering from progressive rock outfit Still Living, firmly belongs in that latter category. This is an album that feels less like a collection of songs and more like a carefully constructed journey through loss, resilience, reflection, and ultimately hope. Rich in atmosphere and packed with musical ambition, Ashes demonstrates a band that understands the core principles of progressive rock while remaining focused on emotional storytelling rather than technical exhibitionism.

From the opening moments, it becomes apparent that Still Living have crafted something with genuine scope. The album possesses a cinematic quality that runs throughout its runtime, moving seamlessly between moments of grandeur and introspection. Rather than relying solely on complexity for complexity's sake, the band consistently prioritises mood and narrative, allowing each composition to breathe and develop naturally.

One of the album's greatest strengths is its balance. Progressive rock can sometimes fall into the trap of overindulgence, burying strong ideas beneath endless instrumental passages and convoluted arrangements. Ashes avoids that pitfall. While there is certainly no shortage of intricate musicianship on display, every flourish feels purposeful. The arrangements are layered and sophisticated, yet never cluttered. Keyboards provide vast sonic landscapes, guitars alternate between soaring melodic leads and textured rhythmic support, and the rhythm section anchors everything with confidence and precision.

The production deserves considerable praise as well. Modern prog often struggles to find the sweet spot between clarity and warmth, but Still Living have managed exactly that. Every instrument occupies its own space within the mix, allowing listeners to appreciate the album's many details without sacrificing its overall cohesion. The sound is expansive without becoming sterile, giving the record a timeless quality that suits its themes perfectly.

Vocally, Renato Costa is equally impressive. His performances throughout convey a genuine emotional weight that elevates the material beyond mere technical accomplishment. There is a vulnerability present in the delivery that makes the album's reflective moments particularly effective. Whether navigating passages of quiet contemplation or rising to meet the music's more dramatic peaks, his vocals remain a compelling focal point.

What truly separates Ashes from many contemporary progressive releases is its emotional consistency. The album carries a distinct sense of purpose from beginning to end. Themes of mortality, change, perseverance, and renewal weave their way through the music, creating a strong thematic thread that rewards attentive listening. The title itself serves as an appropriate metaphor for the record's central concerns: the remnants of what was, and the possibility of what might emerge afterward.

There is also a noticeable maturity in the songwriting. Still Living demonstrate a keen understanding of pacing, knowing precisely when to unleash moments of dramatic intensity and when to pull back into quieter territory. These contrasts give the album a dynamic flow that keep listeners engaged throughout. The heavier sections feel more impactful because they are balanced by passages of restraint, while the more delicate moments resonate because they are surrounded by such powerful musical architecture.

Fans of classic progressive rock will undoubtedly find much to admire here. Echoes of the genre's golden era can be heard throughout the album, particularly in its commitment to long-form composition, thematic unity, and adventurous arrangements. Yet Ashes never feels trapped by nostalgia. Rather than attempting to recreate the past, Still Living use those influences as a foundation upon which to build something distinctly their own. The result is an album that feels both familiar and refreshingly contemporary.

Another notable achievement is the band's ability to create atmosphere. Many records aim for cinematic scope, but few accomplish it with such effectiveness. Listening to Ashes often feels like watching a film unfold in sound. Images of turbulent seas, fading memories, distant horizons, and hard-earned redemption seem to emerge naturally from the music. This vivid sense of place and emotion gives the album remarkable replay value, revealing new details and interpretations with each listen.

Perhaps most importantly, Ashes possesses that elusive quality that all great progressive albums strive for: it leaves a lasting impression. Long after the final notes have faded, the emotional and musical themes continue to linger in the mind. It invites repeated exploration, not because it is difficult to understand, but because it offers genuine depth. Each return visit uncovers another subtle instrumental passage, another lyrical nuance, or another emotional connection.

‘Who Dares’ opens the album with confidence and purpose. A powerful introduction that immediately establishes the record's grand ambitions, blending driving rhythms with atmospheric keyboards. It's a statement of intent from a band unafraid to embrace progressive rock's expansive possibilities.

Building on the momentum of the opener, ‘Breaking Free’ delivers an uplifting sense of liberation. Strong melodies and dynamic shifts create a compelling journey, while the band's knack for balancing complexity with accessibility becomes increasingly apparent.

‘Harbour Of Tears’ is a more reflective piece, rich with emotion and atmosphere. The arrangement unfolds patiently, allowing the listener to absorb its melancholic beauty. It's one of the album's most evocative moments, demonstrating the band's ability to convey feeling without sacrificing musical sophistication.

Darker in tone, ‘The Fall’ introduces a welcome sense of tension. The interplay between the instrumental sections creates a dramatic narrative, with powerful crescendos giving way to quieter moments of contemplation. The emotional weight here is particularly effective.

As the title suggests, ‘Storms (revisited)’ feels like a return to familiar territory, but with greater depth and maturity. The band expertly captures a sense of turbulence and uncertainty, crafting a piece that is both musically engaging and emotionally resonant.

‘Immaculate Ocean’ is one of the album's most expansive compositions. Waves of keyboards and soaring guitar work create a cinematic soundscape that perfectly suits the track's title. There's a wonderful sense of scale throughout, making it a standout centrepiece of the record.

‘Ashes In The Hourglass’ serves as the thematic heart of the album. Reflective, dramatic and richly layered, it explores the record's central ideas with confidence. The songwriting here feels particularly focused, resulting in one of the strongest moments on the album.

A welcome burst of optimism emerges from ‘Children of the Sun’. While still maintaining the album's progressive foundations, there's an uplifting quality that provides an effective contrast to some of the darker material that precedes it.

‘A Frail Wooden Craft’ concludes the album with a beautifully understated finale. Rather than ending with bombast, Still Living choose subtlety and atmosphere, allowing the themes of the album to gently drift into silence. It's a thoughtful and satisfying conclusion to an immersive listening experience.

In a musical landscape increasingly dominated by immediacy and short attention spans, Ashes stands as a reminder of the enduring power of the album as an artistic statement. It demands time and attention from the listener, but rewards that investment generously. This is progressive rock with heart, ambition, and substance, a work that honours the traditions of the genre while confidently forging its own identity.

Still Living have delivered an album that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. Ashes is a moving, beautifully realised piece of work that showcases the band's strengths as musicians, storytellers, and composers. For fans of thoughtful, emotionally resonant progressive rock, this is an album that deserves to be heard.

A compelling and immersive progressive rock experience that combines technical excellence with genuine emotional depth. Ashes confirms Still Living as a band capable of creating music that resonates long after the final chord has sounded.

7/10

Essential Track – ‘Storms (revisited)’

Review by Woody