The Emerald Dawn recently released the second part of their epic two-disc project and, as per the band’s versatility, it runs the whole gamut of styles that this powerful four piece have in their arsenal. The three multipart tracks on The Land, The Sea, The Air (Volume II) showcase their passion and again prove what a formidable musical group they are.
We have the powerful, emotive and heartfelt lyrics and vocals from Tree Stewart, who surely is one of the finest keyboard players in Prog at the moment. Meanwhile whilst Ally Carter does a sterling work on the guitar & saxes. Thomas Jackson on the drums and Dave Greenaway on bass (again one of the tightest backlines in Prog) are all superb individual musicians, but the way they all work together and blend and weave their styles is superlative.
They have the balls to open up with an epic instrumental journey Song of the Rainforest, which very much like a rainforest is dense, sprawling and full of hidden depths and surprises, and yet still doesn’t feel 21 minutes long due to the adept skill they have at turning on a musical sixpence.
On River of Tears, they talk about the river being the lifeblood of humanity and we fill it full of rubbish, in effect pumping our lifeblood with poison seems so prosaic at the moment as the country burns and this heat is out of control. The stark message is very clear, and with droughts on the horizon it’s something that we should already know. I know the people who really need to listen to this album and have the power to make the changes won’t, and the people who do listen to this album are already the ones who care enough and understand the emotion, the passion and the raw feeling that the band is getting across in this set.
The final track Paradise neatly wraps up the album and indeed the whole two album set, and I would highly recommend that if you’ve got the time available, to play them back-to-back to get the whole story.
As a band The Emerald Dawn are really pushing themselves as far as they can go on each and every release as they continue to take us with them as they mature and grow.
As ever the stunning artwork is provided by Tree who is as talented an artist as a keyboard player and a polymath.
I think that term sums up the talents in this band and with this collection they complete a two-parter with panache and style, and every album they release is a progression in the positive sense of the word, and I would recommend you add this to your collection.
[Ed note: there is a full run through of The Emerald Dawn performing ‘The Land, the Sea, the Air (Volume II)’ live in Dragon Studio – HERE]
TRACK LISTING
01. Song of the Rainforest (21:23)
– i. Balance
– ii. Incursions
– iii. Loss
– iv. Regret
02. Rivers of Tears (15:00)
– i. The natural cycle
– ii. Disruption
03. Paradise (8:54)
– i. Losing Paradise
– ii. Harmony regained
Total Time – 45:17
MUSICIANS
Tree Stewart – Keyboards, Piano, Flute, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Ally Carter – Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Tenor & Soprano Saxophones, Keyboards, Vocals
David Greenaway – Fretless & Fretted Basses
Tom Jackson – Drums
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 28th July 2026
LINKS
The Emerald Dawn – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube
