Garett Anthony Rice - In The Darkness With The Spirit Of The Lake (a family tragedy)
Immerse yourself into Garett Anthony Rice’s latest haunting prog rock masterpiece, ‘In The Darkness With The Spirit Of The Lake (a family tragedy)’
The track tells a compelling tale of the tragic death of a young lad at Poulaphouca Reservoir, Ireland. Its presents this unfortunate incident with entrancing prog rock arrangements and Garrett’s soulful vocals and poetic prose. Listening to this reminds one of Porcupine Tree’s immersive, emotionally deep tracks, an exploration of this abrupt loss of a young life and the accompanying shock, grief and sorrow in profound ways.
The track opens right away onto acoustic strums and electric guitar adornments, immediately evoking a somber, reflective aura. Subtle wind chimes in the background only amplify the sense of otherworldliness as we dive into this tragedy.
“In the darkness of the lake, I know a soul that I can take, I see someone close, they will have to do,” Garrett’s vocals croon, creating an interesting, albeit disturbing, image of a presence nestled in the depths of the Poulaphouca, having sighted its next victim.
The lyrics contrast superbly with the tranquil rock arrangements, which then take flight into a shimmering, slide guitar section. It engulfs you in its hypnotizing tone, only to then flow forward into eerie twangs.
What’s beautiful about ‘In The Darkness With The Spirit Of The Lake’ is the musical transitions it bravely embarks on. From tranquil to hypnotizing to downright ethereal and heavenly, the track evokes a rainbow of complex emotions through its 5 min plus runtime.
At the 3:30 min mark, we swerve into an intense swelling section with the vocals mirthfully acknowledging the giref of the loved ones while also demanding respect due to its immense life-taking capabilities. This monologue is made all the more sinister with the haunting guitar that builds tension before breaking into evocative, bluesy conclusions.
For listeners of intense, emotionally resonant prog rock, this is sure to strike a chord and bring you back to listen again and again,
Hailing from Greystones, County Wicklow (via Dublin, Ireland), singer-songwriter Garrett Anthony Rice crafts rich, poetic songs that draw comparisons to Bob Dylan, John Lennon, and Richard Ashcroft.
