Album Review: Neil Howell - The Way Out
Reviewed by Matthew Williams
You are greeted with the gentle, serene strumming sound of a finely tuned guitar on opening track “Empty” almost like you are being reacquainted with an old friend, with the whistles of father time rushing around. It’s a peaceful instrumental that pulls you into the magical world of Missouri based Neil Howell.
Then the renowned musical talents of Howell really open with “The House is on Fire”, a song that attacks you from all angles. This highlights his own unique brand of progressive metal and has riffs bursting out all over the place. It’s a short, fierce number that’s both enthralling and captivating, leading into the 6 minutes plus of “Intruder” which has more vicious riffs and pulsating drums to compliment the deep and haunting lyrics.
I first got into Neil Howell a few years ago when I discovered “The Wasteland” which is a stunning piece of music and quickly delved into his back catalogue. His songs are emotive, intimate and powerful, and he has strong creative urges as he confesses that he “can never sit long without making something”.
Good job really, as he is crafting songs to an extremely high level, which is demonstrated in “No Money in Philosophy” featuring Splintered Throne vocalist and blues artist Lisa Mann on vocals. This is taking a different approach to genre, twisting and bending and stretching to see what can happen, and the results are a barnstormer of a song, that will have people transfixed.
The soundscapes on “Option One – Denial”, the first of the trilogy, are stunning. As Howell comments, he “envisions himself, along with the rest of the world, hopelessly lost in a dark forest” which is the focus of this album, and this song typifies that feeling. It’s sombre and sinister as you get that sensation of being lost and trapped in the murky undergrowth, surrounded by gloomy trees. This is enhanced further with the mournful “Pathfinder” as Howell asks, “Will we find our way out of this nightmare?” with the riffs being dynamic and purposeful.
“Hope Only Goes So Far” sees Mad Scientist Dorn join on lead guitar and reveals a more tranquil side to the album. It is a beautifully composed song that has a destructive tempo twist that changes the emphasis of the song. You can feel the energy bursting out but in a controlled way. With the second part of the option trilogy next, “Option Two – Despair” the noise is ramped back up as “the vision is clearer, we are coming to the end” screams out. The song drifts in the middle section off to calmer waters, before the chaotic riff returns, and it’s a riff worth celebrating.
“Father Advice” is a song that will pluck at your heart strings and sees an outpouring of emotions right from the off with the opening sentence “It’s been a long time since I saw your face”. If you have felt any sort of loss, you will immediately immerse yourself in this track and have thoughts about that person. “Option Three – Acceptance” is the final part of the trilogy, and once again further showcases the moving and tender side of the lyrics and music that runs out of Howell’s brain.
The album finale sees Alex Parkinson (additional vocals), Egor Lappo (lead guitar) and Angela and Clara (backing vocals) join Howell for an epic 12-minute journey called “Logic Dictates”. I sat and listened to this twice before trying to write something, but I genuinely struggled to convey my thoughts, as it’s so mesmerising. It is pure genius, so I’m going to end by suggesting that you sit back and enjoy it. What a way to end an absorbing and beguiling piece of music.
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