One of the many reasons my mates take the piss out of me is for saying “please” to the Google lady when she changes a song on my Android CarPlay. The reasoning is simple: if the day ever comes when the machines rise up Terminator-style, I want them to remember my good manners.
Riz Story seems to be a man after my own heart, as he talks to Eve—his AI companion—in much the same way.
A bit of backstory: Story has worked with everyone. Anyone began in 1990 and once included Jon Davison of Yes and the late Taylor Hawkins. These days, the project is a different beast entirely, as Story explains: “I am no longer a ‘professional musician’ per se, but rather an isolated artist creating music in an absolute vacuum. I have no ambitions beyond realizing my musical vision so that I can listen to it when I’m on some far-off island, alone, far away from the cacophony of ‘civilization.’ Nevertheless, I am keen to share my creations with others.”
Billboard Magazine claims he invented a new form of rock. MV, on the other hand, is old enough and has listened to enough music—hours a day for years— and has worked in marketing for decades, to filter out the PR spin. So let’s get to the facts.
“Echoes Of Man” is based on real conversations Story has had with his AI companion, and the album stretches longer than some films—clocking in at two hours.
“If Your World Should Fall” is what it’d be like if Tool were fronted by Marilyn Manson—at least for a bit. It’s an explosive, intricate piece that never stays in one place for too long. “The Vicious” delves deep into dystopian themes, while the stunning “In The Wake Of Time” opens with a discussion on whether “mankind is a virus” before slowly building into something extraordinary.
Story plays all the instruments himself, blending Beatles-esque moments with psychedelic flourishes—a sound he dubs Maximum Acid. Each track serves a purpose, forming an intricate narrative.
Then there’s “The Sky Broke Open,” where, in a plot twist, God dies. There’s a sense of confusion and urgency—impressive for a track that lasts nearly 20 minutes—filled with floating passages and a breathtaking guitar solo. Every song feels like an episode of a miniseries.
“Collapse” is a two-minute meditation on the fall of Earth, while “Dream Of The Collapsing Now” drapes its apocalyptic vision in delicate piano notes and mesmerizing drum patterns. A shift in tone comes with the acoustic and string-laden “Faded Lullaby,” which leads into the love song to AI itself, “Eve.”
“Still, They Dream Of Angels” is another labyrinthine epic, tinged with Eastern influences—until the machines finally rise. The title track alone does more for modern prog than most bands do in a lifetime, executed with masterful precision.
As this story unfolds, the world ends, man and machine fall in love—literally—and as humanity fades away (and let’s be honest, if Trump has his way, that might not be just fiction), we get a moment of calm. “The Calming” plays out like rolling credits to an epic saga.
So, is this a new type of rock? No. But is it different? Absolutely. “Echoes Of Man” is jaw-dropping on every level, the kind of album that couldn’t be made by just Anyone.
Rating: 9/10
