PREACHER – Aftermath (2016)

“Aftermath” is the second effort from UK (Scotland) 8-piece PREACHER, an incredibly confident and contemporary progressive melodic rock album influenced by classic bands / styles from the Islands.
At the core of Preacher are the triumvirate of lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and primary songwriter Martin Murphy, keyboardist Arnold “Arny” Burgoyne and lead guitarist Greg Murphy (son of Martin) which is a prodigious talent, self-taught musician who can finger-flex across a fretboard as comfortably as he can deliver emotive or melodic phrasing.

Completing the line-up there’s drummer Iain Duncan and bassist Gordon Munro, both hold rhythmic court and create the solid foundation that “Aftermath” is built upon – which at many passages has more in common with hard rock than prog – while Angela Bell and Kerry McWhinnie are an integral part of Preacher’s layered sound, providing vocal harmonies and tonal colour.
Preacher’ opens “Aftermath” in atmospheric style with the title track. Leading with a simple piano refrain and accompanying guitar remarks the song builds to a more full-bodied soundscape with both the backing singers and lead guitar in full cry, the latter’s melodically wailing notes echoing the lyrical emphasis of the need for change.

Following comes, somewhat appropriately, ‘Welcome to the Fray’, a brooding mid-tempo with a hard rock heart. Lyrics decries the modern world and global power struggles with some fittingly angry but melodically charged guitar bursts from Greg Murphy and cool little organ interjections from Arnold Burgoyne.
The regimented drum introduction of ‘War’ sets up both the militaristic rhythm of the song and its battle-scarred lines before an uplifting final few bars and hopeful lyric bring the song, and the hostilities, to a more optimistic conclusion.

‘Hold On’ changes the pace once again (building from a piano and vocal opening to a layered sound of keyboard fills, backing vocals and big drum sound) before keyboard sprinkled, pseudo-funky ‘Vinyl’ grooves create an outstanding slice of progressively-led melodic rock that’s as contemporary as the pre-digital age reflections of the lyrics are nostalgic.
For all the strength of Aftermath across its opening five numbers the album positively shines on its closing quartet of tracks.

‘Vision’ is a breezy, pleasant departure for the band. A dreamy, soft rock arrangement sets the scene before a busy instrumental section picks up the tempo; Arnold Burgoyne’s spray of keyboard notes scatter across Iain Duncan and Gordon Munro’s simple but effective groove before Greg Murphy’s guitar licks kick in to bring the number to its spacey conclusion.
Creating a similar vibe is the mid-tempo ‘Sleep’: it too features an instrumental closing section but this time in full-band rock mode with the lead guitar throwing melodic shapes over the harmony backing vocals and drum flourishes.

‘War Reprise’ is an alternative view of the ‘War’ that’s already taken place, seen through the eyes of a man caught up in the fray through no choice of his own. Martin Murphy’s lyrics certainly carry weight (“a day feels like a lifetime, being here against my will”) but the true strength of the primarily instrumental number lies in the poignancy of the extended soloing from Greg Murphy, in complete melodic empathy with the emotion of the song.
The atmospheric and lyrically contemplative ‘Always’ closes out the album in fine style, marred only by the fact the up-tempo closing section, driven by some feisty six-string bursts, fades all too soon.

Preacher as unit has strong nods to classic prog acts, but also the more ‘progressive side’ of the classic hard rock British scene. The songs in “Aftermath” are short (song format) and meaty, with some kind of ‘bite’.
Additionally, Martin Murphy’s lead vocals have a certain ‘rocking’ feel turning the band and their compositions more edgy than your regular prog band.
Another really interesting act from the always fruitful UK scene. Preacher should suffer nothing but positive consequences in the wake of this particular “Aftermath”.
Strongly Recommended.

01 – Aftermath
02 – Welcome to the Fray
03 – War
04 – Hold on
05 – Sleep
06 – Vinyl
07 – Vision
08 – War Reprise
09 – Always

Martin Murphy – Vocals, Guitar, Backing Vocals
Arnie Burgoyne – Keyboards
Greg Murphy – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Iain Duncan – Drums
Gordon Munro – Bass
Ron Rodgers – Acoustic Guitar
Angela Bell, Kerry WcWhinnie – Backing Vocals

BUY IT !
preacherrock.bandcamp.com/album/aftermath
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