Also Eden release their first new music since 2013 with Holy Books and Credit Cards 1: Promises, the first in a series of three EP’s planned in 2026. The band describe their new EP as ‘a series of observations about how perceptions of events – from the very personal to the global – shape us into the people we are’. Comprising artists as talented as Huw Lloyd-Jones and Simon Rogers, who have played with other projects, it will be interesting to hear what they have produced under the banner of Also Eden.
Also Eden dates its roots right back to 1993 when Huw Lloyd-Jones met Ian Hodson in a short-lived metal band, but a friendship was born which eventually developed in to Also Eden in 2003. They had originally been called just ‘Eden’ but soon realised that was a fairly common band name, so changed it to ‘Also Eden.’ Also Eden have always been very promising as a band with some quality albums, and even played the Night of the Prog Festival at Loreley. However, they have also been a band seemingly cursed at times, including a brain haemorrhage for Lloyd-Jones at one point, and then after his departure in 2009, his replacement Rich Harding suffered a serious bike accident. Such ill-fortune has impeded their progress. The band ground to a halt after [Redacted] in 2013 but in the meantime, their members have not been totally idle. Huw Lloyd-Jones has developed the successful Summer’s End and Winter’s End progressive rock festivals, whilst also singing with Unto Us on their only album in 2014, and similarly on Midnight Sun’s only album in 2018, alongside keyboardist Ian Hodson. Simon Rogers also played on Ghost Community’s only album so far in 2016. It appears that these artists were looking for something but not quite finding it, so perhaps reviving the Also Eden project will be the musical home for which they have been searching?
Thirteen years is a long time to wait for new material so is it worth it? Well, the short answer is definitely ‘Yes’.
This may be an ‘EP’ but with a duration of about 35 minutes (albeit with an acoustic bonus version of one track) this is a sizeable chunk of new music, not too far short of what some old LP’s used to last… and what a consistently high quality 35 minutes we are offered. Promises starts with a tribal drum intro by new drummer Guy Monk and the whole band gradually join in ramping up the tension with Ian Hodson’s synth welcoming in a driven rock passage. This is an engaging song with memorable hooks and lyrics. Lloyd-Jones has shared that:
‘Promises is a love song. Its message is very simple: don’t overthink. Take each day as it comes and do your best to embrace whatever it brings. That’s not easy in the world today but there’s solace in the company of loved ones.’
This is a straightforward message of love which fits the anthemic rock style of this piece. A more restrained interlude showcases Lloyd-Jones softer vocals before we shift back to the acclamation about ‘The Promise of today’. Also Eden pull back again with chiming guitar and subtle bass from Graham Lane, before they return to the main theme – it’s just a great accessible melodic rock song. They go in a completely different direction with the gorgeous melodies of A Painter’s Hands, particularly the soft, folky guitar of Simon Rogers. Lloyd-Jones fine baritone voice particularly shines on this gem of a song. This is clearly a very personal song for Lloyd-Jones as he has explained to TPA:
‘A Painter’s Hands is an appreciation of the art of the painter. The ability to look at something and then convey the feel, mood and sense of it onto paper or canvas leaves me breathless (and very envious!). It was inspired by watching my partner, Miriam, sketching on the beach on a dark, blustery day in Mwnt, West Wales. It’s my favourite place in the world and when I look at her painting of it, I can feel the sea spray!’
Also Eden deftly paint those images with graceful strokes of keyboards and gentle percussion. Simon Rogers daubs a gorgeous, languid guitar solo over the musical landscape, which then recedes into the distance with just a wash of Hodson’s evocative keyboards and Lloyd-Jones impassioned vocals. The guitar ascends again as the song takes one last flight – you really can feel the scene being painted in this classy piece.
In complete contrast the mini-epic Scented Candle Corridors pulses in on an echoing wave of synths and Lloyd-Jones resonant lone voice before what Also Eden describe as the ‘heavy groove’ of the main theme crashes, driven along powerfully by Monk and Lane in the rhythm section. Clearly another personal lyric for Lloyd-Jones who has shared:
‘Scented Candle Corridors is an amalgamation of memories and feeling from when I was young. The feeling of not fitting in. My inability to be a ‘steady Eddie’ and my lack of desire to grow up owning a house on an estate with a Volvo and a steady job. I’ve never wanted to ‘do the garden’. I think they call it ADHD now!’
Halfway through the intensity drops with gentle keys and understated bass as Lloyd-Jones reminisces wistfully about his younger days – it’s like lifting a veil into his memories. Musically Also Eden perfectly describe the lyrical theme. As the finale approaches a chiming guitar and drums add to the atmosphere until Rogers reels out another evocative guitar solo which morphs smoothly and seamlessly into a keyboard solo and Also Eden bring this fine piece to an impressive end.
The main songs of this EP are added to with a shortened acoustic version of opening track Promises, which is a showcase for Rogers finely picked guitar, starting with a Spanish sounding guitar piece. The acoustic format brings Lloyd-Jones’ fine vocals to the fore, embellished with some excellent harmony backing vocals… it sounds excellent – maybe a style Also Eden should explore even further in future?
Holy Books and Credit Cards 1: Promises is an engaging mixture of heavy with acoustic, darkness and light. They can handle quite complex arrangements, but they know the value of simplicity and a memorable melody. If you have never heard Also Eden this is an excellent introduction as it is simply one of their best ever releases, and if you are already familiar with Also Eden be reassured that they are definitely back – better than ever. This fine release ‘promises’ much for the new Also Eden’s future, and we look forward to the next two releases in 2026.
TRACK LISTING
01. Promises (9:05)
02. A Painter’s Hands (7:11)
03. Scented Candle Corridors (10:26)
04. Promises (Acoustic) (6:37)
Total Time – 33:19
MUSICIANS
Huw Lloyd-Jones – Vocals
Simon Jones – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Ian Hodson – Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Gaham Lane – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Guy Monk – Drums, Percussion
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 3rd February 2026
DISCOGRAPHY
– About Time (2006)
– It’s Kind of You to Ask (2008)
– Differences as Light (EP) (2010)
– Think of the Children! (2011)
– [Redacted] (2013)
– Holy Books and Credit Cards 1: Promises (EP) (2026)
