Steve Hackett
Voyage Of The Acolyte

The first solo album by Steve Hackett can be considered in every respect the seventh studio album in the Genesis discography. Composed following the departure of Peter Gabriel, "Voyage of the Acolyte" is a true masterpiece that fits perfectly between "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" and "A Trick of the Tail".

The guitarist benefits from the valuable help of "friends" Phil Collins (on drums and vocals) and Mike Rutherford (on bass). His "very talented" brother handles the flute parts, while Tony Banks does not participate in the project (strangely, his absence will not be felt).

"Ace of Wands" opens the album imposingly, without warning, with a furious drum introduction by Phil Collins (here in a state of grace). The track goes through various mood changes (all naturally punctuated by the guitarist's unordinary technique), eventually approaching a certain form of jazz-prog dear to Camel. John Hackett immediately proves to be more skilled than Gabriel on the flute, and his incursions will therefore be present throughout the concept's span.

"Hands of the Priestess" is a delicate instrumental divided into two parts, where acoustic guitars and flute amiably duet, creating a magical and fascinating backdrop, yet mysterious at the same time. Darker atmospheres are not lacking, and the subsequent "A Tower Struck Down" is proof of that. The aggressive bass of Mike Rutherford takes center stage, but Collins and Hackett are not far behind (finally free from the rigid structures of the Genesis brand), creating an unusual, powerful, and in its own way schizoide composition. The march-like progression is then suddenly interrupted by an ambiguous and mysterious chorus that over the years will fuel debate among fans (Steve Hackett or Hitler?). The effect is unexpected and unsettling nonetheless.

"The Hermit" (sung by Steve himself) and "Star of Sirius" (sung by Phil Collins) return to more purely progressive themes. The first is a stunning ballad for acoustic guitar, to which the flute is added at a later stage. Steve's voice here is not yet at its best, but the dreamy aura painted by the music immediately immerses us in the spirit of the song. "Star of Sirius" (perhaps due to Phil Collins' voice) foreshadows that magical and dreamy vein that we will hear on "A Trick of the Tail" the following year. The start is gentle, once again entrusted to the voice and 12-string guitar. The second part is more lively, with tempo changes and incisive electric guitar solos by the London musician.

"The Lovers" is the usual acoustic sketch serving as an introduction to the album's longest and most complex track: "Shadow of the Hierophant". This track is one of Hackett's most famous (if not the most famous) and is certainly not inferior to more celebrated episodes like "Firth of Fifth" or "The Fountain of Salamacis". The first few minutes are entrusted to the wonderful voice of Sally Oldfield (sister of the much more famous Mike) who leads us by the hand into a world populated by ladies and knights, where "honor was much more important than a man's life". However, the suite's structure (almost 12 minutes long) involves a decisive change following a slow ticking that resonates hypnotically and forebodingly. The instruments are then heard first distant, almost timid, then increasing in power and skill, creating a powerful and distressing progression (King Crimson does not seem too far away). Hackett is, as usual, ingenious and vaguely Frippian, while Collins seems to assume another identity, changing register and infusing that jazzy rhythm into the composition.

An album recommended to all those who love prog (not just Genesis), the atmospheres of King Crimson, and Camel.

"Voyage of the Acolyte" is a painstaking work (despite the short time it took to compose) that showcases the undeniable instrumental qualities of the musicians from the "Genesis family".

Unmissable.