Album Review: Neil Howell – The Renaissance is Over (Self Released)

After successfully navigating the dark, literary avenues of last year’s The Wasteland, solo artist Neil Howell will release his ninth full-length album, ‘The Renaissance Is Over’, on February 14th, 2024.

What happens when a time of great importance comes to an end? Whether it be a dramatic shift in society, a vastly different musical landscape than the decades proceeding it, or a moment of personal importance quickly dashed by other’s indifference, The Renaissance Is Over explores themes of loss, regret, seizing the moment, and ultimately acceptance.

Neil explains that:

It feels as if there has been a shift the past few years, as if something is missing. I think everyone feels it in some way or another. This album is my attempt to give a voice to that feeling in the only way I know how.

Expressive and poignant, while also having plenty of reasons to head-bang, Neil Howell’s The Renaissance is Over is a spectacular example of progressive metal creativity. An album that blurs the lines of genres, has a strong over-arching theme that anyone can understand, and showcases dynamic variety. In fact, all of this could apply to the enormous spell-binding opener that is The Height of Civilization. A track that upends expectations, particularly when it comes to heaviness, but leaves you fascinated and excited for more.

Which is exactly what Neil Howell has to offer. More dramatic melody, more progressive perniciousness, more delightfully errant heaviness, and more reasons to be impressed. From Second Choices’ manic guitar/drum combo that really gets the heart racing, to Better Luck Next Time’s touch of wacked-out groove (one of the more anthemic tracks of all), to Metal Head’s egregious example of heavy that will put big, silly smiles on the faces of metal heads around the world.

So far, so very good, and while progressive elements have been present here and there, it’s with the title track that Neil Howell really stretches his muscles. Not just layering the elaborate piece with tons of ambience, but shifting the tone constantly, and keeping the listener well engaged for over ten minutes. It’s a very impressive track, a progressive metal beast, and a side to his sound that is very special. Although it is fair to say that the finale of Past Lives rises to the challenge when it comes to big progressive ideas too. It’s the other track that passes ten minutes, and it’s the other track that feels larger than life. The melody alone, will make this many a person’s favourite track, and that’s before you even consider how boisterous it can be.

In between these extravagant efforts comes When the Iron is Hot and It Will Happen to You. A pair too good to ignore. With the former being one of the more eccentric sounding efforts overall (the intro is class) and the latter being effortlessly hearty in regards to metal and heady in regards to melody.

It’s an intoxicating release that delights from beginning to end. Hard to fault, aside from the more progressive side not being to everyone’s taste, obviously, and the heavier metal side of things, polarising a different set. Should you love both though… you’re on to a winner here.

Neil Howell – The Renaissance is Over Track Listing:

1. The Height of Civilization
2. Second Choice
3. Better Luck Next Time
4. Metal Head
5. The Renaissance is Over
6. When the Iron is Hot
7. It Will Happen to You
8. Past Lives

Links

Bandcamp | Spotify | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube