Sieben – Brand New Dark Age (Digital/CD Album – Redroom)
Matt Howden returns with ten new tracks, delivered alongside his trusted companion, Kev, the violin. Sieben remains an experience beyond easy description; it’s unmistakably Experimental, with elements of Chanson woven through socially conscious lyrics, and often has a Cinematic quality that lends a haunting, melancholic feel. Howden’s violin work is as unparalleled as ever; at times, he conjures riffs reminiscent of Led Zeppelin, and moments later, he brings an eerie, atmospheric touch. There are even highly danceable passages featured. His lyrics are delivered with a unique blend of passion and enchantment, capturing something almost otherworldly. Matt Howden isn’t just a musician; he’s a sorcerer of sound, wielding his violin with an artistry all his own. Notably, the digital edition of this album also includes live versions of all 10 tracks, offering an added dimension to the experience. (Rating:8).
Listen to “Stay The Hand”:
About Sieben
Sieben is the solo project of English violinist, singer and producer Matt Howden. Built on layered, looped violin, bass and voice, the project moves between experimental song, chanson and cinematic passages. Howden records at his Redroom studio in Sheffield and is now based in Teignmouth, UK.
The Sieben catalogue on Bandcamp runs from “High Broad Field” (2006) and “Desire Rites” (2007) through “As They Should Sound” (2009), “Star Wood Brick Firmament” (2010), “No Less Than All” (2012), “Each Divine Spark” (2014), “The Old Magic” (2016), “Crumbs” (2018), the “Kickstart The Empire!” EP (2019) and “2020 Vision” (2020), plus the ten-volume “Lockdown Sieben” series (2020-2021) and “Ten Hymns for Modern Times” (2022). In 2020 Howden discussed the project in a Click Interview with Side-Line.
“Brand New Dark Age” was written, performed, produced and mastered by Howden at Redroom in Sheffield between February 2023 and April 2024, and released on August 16, 2024 through his own Redroom imprint; the digital edition adds live versions of all ten tracks. In 2026 Howden set the poetry of his father Keith Howden to music on “Language For Stone”, the subject of a Matt Howden interview on Side-Line. “Brand New Dark Age” is the album reviewed here.
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