A great album defining Progressive/Metal Rock
5 Stars
Headspace were formed in 2006 by Adam Wakeman, son of Rick Wakeman. Keyboard wizardry obviously runs in the family as Rick’s other son, Oliver Wakeman, is also a keyboard genius presently holding the keys down in his father’s previous job in Yes.
of the band’s lyrics, one thing that make listening to Headspace such
a memorable experience. (Photo by Our Mistress of the Lens Harpic.)
But Adam is of a slightly heavier hue doing the keyboard work for Ozzy Osbourne’s Band. Funnily enough, Rick Wakeman also recorded with Ozzy’s old band Black Sabbath. Adam soon joined forces with the current threshold singer Damian Wilson. That duo was enough to pique anybody’s interest. But then you add the trio of three of the best session players in Britain, the ever-enthusiastic bass playing of Lee Pomeroy, the mesmerizing guitar skills of Pete Rinaldi, plus the superb percussion of Adam Faulkner, and you have one hell of a lot of skill in your headspace (sic).
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Forces gelled, and they were powerful in these five. Soon a fine EP of four songs was released to great critical acclaim. The band undertook their first-ever gigs in front of a live audience as support to Ozzy Osbourne on his European jaunt. Playing a packed Wembley Arena to 20,000 rabid Ozzy fans as your first gig must have been incredibly daunting. But the boys came out of it all with their fair share of scalps.
looking boy, but his riffs are absolutely filthy once he picks
up that electric guitar.
(Photo by Our Mistress of the Lens Harpic.)
With all the other commitments that all band members had, it was always going to be difficult timewise to get everything fitted in. But things were so exciting and the music so thrilling that time was made to record their debut full-length album released in 2012, followed by extensive touring.
The album I Am Anonymous gained excellent critical reviews and sold well.
(Photo by Our Mistress of the Lens Harpic.)
What you get is eight songs spread over an hour and ten minutes. I Am Anonymous is a concept album that is about “You the listener and your relationship with humanity, ultimately the battles fought within the mind from child to adult.”
to the live set as he covers many miles on the stage whilst ripping out the bass notes.
(Photo by Our Mistress of the Lens Harpic.)
The epic Daddy F##king Loves You clicking in at fifteen minutes starts off with some dexterous acoustic guitar playing by Pete Rinaldi. Damian Wilson comes in to make his point before the band comes crashing in with a heavy rockin beat led by Rinaldi’s electric guitar work supported by a thunderous rhythm section. Live Daddy F##king Loves You was an unstoppable beast with Pete Rinaldi’s shredding, brain freezing. This is heavy progressive metal at its best. Plenty of light and shade, but as heavy as anybody in parts.
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Soldier clocks in at a very solemn three minutes forty-four minutes with Damian Wilson turning in a heartfelt vocal performance. A very haunting piece. The foot is off the pedal as Damian Wilson sings, accompanied only by sparse piano from Adam Wakeman.
Most of the other songs clock in at around the nine-minute plus length, so plenty of time for the listener to get fully immersed.
Whilst the debut EP was more of a vehicle for Wakeman and Wilson, on their first full-length effort, Pete Rinaldi’s confidence had grown and he really shone out. This was not planned, but Headspace just evolved that way. The lyrics evolved, citing The Kubler-Ross Model as their inspiration in the five stages of grief.
The lyrics and music literally grab you by the brain and drag you through.
have the unbridled charisma and enthusiasm of Damian Wilson down the front,
often launching himself, body surfing across the welcoming crowd.
(Photo by Our Mistress of the Lens Harpic.)
Closing song, The Big Day encompasses all that is good about Headspace and this concept album in just under ten minutes. The acoustic sections are beautifully played and sung whilst the electric sections are brutal, stripping your emotions dry.
After this, all the Headspace musicians had to go back to their day jobs. So it was not until 2016 that the band regrouped. Sadly, Richard Brook was not able to wrap up his commitments and had to be replaced by the equally accomplished percussionist Adam Faulkner, who apparently fitted in very well as he always bought his round down the pub.
This lineup recorded the follow-up album ‘All That You Fear Is Gone’ which was released in 2016, followed by more extensive touring and a summer of playing all the British rock festivals, including The Ramblin’ Man Fair, Mote Park, Maidstone, and Kent, where their performance stole the day from the headliners.
Today Headspace’s future is unclear due to the worldwide turbulence caused by the pandemic, but one watches with high hopes. Something this good should not be allowed to disappear.
the Lens Harpic.
Written by Mott the Dog.
Photos by Our Mistress of the Lens Harpic.
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