MARILLION

An Hour Before It’s Dark (earMUSIC)

An Hour Before It’s Dark, the 20th studio album from Marillion, has profound and witty lyrics, great musicianship and a flow of undulating instrumentals. Tracks cover heavy topics: landmines in Sierra Leone, a poignant look at the recent pandemic Murder Machine and Reprogram The Gene, which takes a glimpse at the future (“and it ain’t orange, it’s green”).

But for all that, I found myself waiting for the power chords – because it’s when Steve Hogarth reaches those high notes, teamed with Steve Rothery‘s expressive guitar, that Marillion has the power to induce goosebumps. Unfortunately, these moments are infrequent and over too quickly, though having seen this album performed live on 2021’s The Light At The End Of The Tunnel tour I may have been spoilt. An Hour Before It’s Dark expands and deepens with repeated listening, and is best played at full volume.

words LYNDA NASH