25 YEAR SCREAMER - ...And From The Deep, There Is A Light...

White Knight Records [Release date 25.09.26]

We’ve followed 25 Yard Screamer since their formation in 2002 and their onward trajectory has reflected our own since that time. We were mightily impressed with their third album ‘Cassandra’ in 2007, took over joint marketing, and that year saw the band appearing on our Rising Stars stage at the Cambridge Rock Festival.

The band has now reduced to mainman Nick James (vocals, guitar, programming) and his faithful lieutenant Matt Clarke (bass) but usually with one or two guests. ‘ …And From The Deep, There Is A Light…. ‘ is the band’s most ambitious to date and has resolved some of the frustrations in more recent releases, notably production values and a less accessible vibe at times bordering on heavy metal.

The shock of this latest outing is the use of a female vocalist – Carly Tucker – but it is the equivalent of a “killer app”. This is immediately apparent on the opening track ‘Mother Earth’ which sets the theme on yet another concept album. Mother Earth is under threat due to the planetary abuse and humans ineptitude. It is a paean to uncertain times.

That opening track develops as others with Nick taking over vocals and a breakdown section with heavy guitars, referencing the band’s love of prime-time Rush. Elsewhere the likes of The Porcupine Tree and even a slightly less muscular Tool are evoked which should widen the appeal to fans of those bands.

However there are parts of the album – and heard in the lead track ‘When Our Ending Began’ – that remind again of latter-day Marillion. This influence was also present on ‘Cassandra’ which to these ears immediately added to the band’s appeal.

Cerys perfectly complements James’ vocal on this piece which is enhanced by Maria Grig’s mournful violin (another great addition to the musical palette although not used extensively). In fact Tucker is also under-used and when present the tracks do move up a notch. The female vocal is a real bonus and the surprise use is similar to another long-standing prog band Long Earth reviewed recently.

There’s pop prog accessibility with ‘The Silence After Us’ – essentially a song of two halves – but abject commerciality is not what this band is about and it ultimately degenerates into the characteristic busy and impassioned frenzy with James the master of the mangled guitar.

Tracks like ‘Destruction of Self’ and ‘All Will Follow’ give Nick and Matt the chance to stretch out musically and are real highlights whilst Tucker returns for the finale ‘Time Examines Us’.

Throughout the album the band use programmed drums and I have to say this might be the only perceived weakness. Hopefully they’ll get a drummer on board soonest.

In nearly 25 years, 25 Yard Screamer have followed their creative muse for better or for worse and with their tenth album release display a not surprising maturity and a satisfying – if at times disturbing – vision. ****1/2

Reviewed by David Randall

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 30 August 2026.

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