This Winter Machine
This Winter Machine is an English progressive rock band from West Yorkshire, England, first formed in 2016. The band released its first album, The Man Who Never Was, in 2017 and is working on the follow-up, A Tower of Clocks.
| This Winter Machine | |
|---|---|
 This Winter Machine in 2017 Left to right: Andy Milner, Mark Numan, Al Wynter, Graham Garbutt, Peter Priestley, Scott Owens | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | West Yorkshire, England |
| Genres | Progressive rock |
| Years active | 2016 - present |
| Labels | F2 Records |
| Website | thiswintermachine |
| Members | Al Wynter (Vocals) Graham Garbett (Guitars) Andy Milner (Drums) Mark Numan (Keyboards) Scott Owens (Guitars) Stuart Mcauley (Bass) |
History
Formation
The band was founded in early 2016, initially settling on the line-up of Al Wynter (vocals), Mark Numan (keyboards), Peter Priestley (bass), Marcus Murray (drums) and Gary Jevon (guitar). The concept for a new progressive rock band was conceived by Wynter; he had written the song that would go on to be the title track of the debut album, The Man Who Never Was, some 10 years prior to forming the band.[1] The band quickly became known to the progressive rock community after supporting popular English rock band Magnum[2] on their UK tour in July 2016. Prog Magazine issue 72's cover CD featured the song "After Tomorrow Comes" that would later appear on the first album.
The Man Who Never Was
This Winter Machine's debut album was recorded during 2016 at Moorcroft Studios and Czar Street Studios in Cleckheaton and Leeds respectively. The production was handled by Wynter. This Winter Machine signed with the record label Progressive Gears ahead of the release of album. The Man Who Never Was was officially released 16 January 2017 and was met with largely positive reviews[3][4] internationally,[5][6][7] with reviewers hailing "the next great British Prog band".[2] The album also received a full page feature on the inside cover of the Classic Rock Society magazine for that month (This Winter Machine were subsequently nominated for the "Best Newcomer 2016" award at CRS' awards ceremony in March 2017).
The band held an album launch party on 4 February 2017 where The Man Who Never Was was played live and in full. The set also featured a new song called "The Herald", the band having started work on a follow-up album. Shortly after the album launch, the band parted ways with both Gary Jevon and Progressive Gears. Graham Garbett and Scott Owens were recruited to handle guitar duties. The decision to bring in more than one guitarist resulted in a broadened soundscape at the live shows, adding complex textures of guitar work in both the acoustic and electric arena. The Man Who Never Was was later re-released via F2 Records.
A Tower Of Clocks
Work on the second album had already begun by the time The Man Who Never Was was officially released. The band has stated that this will be a concept album.[8] It will be titled A Tower Of Clocks and is expected to be released in 2018.[1] In the latter months of 2017, This Winter Machine performed several times, including a support slot for German prog band Crystal Palace on 1 October 2017. Three new songs written for A Tower Of Clocks featured during this run of shows (these songs were "The Herald", "Symmetry and Light" and "Justified").
Drummer Marcus Murray left the band after their gig at the Summers End Festival in October 2017, with Andy Milner replacing him. Milner's first performance with the band would see them supporting Magnum once again at Warehouse23 in Wakefield on 16 November 2017.
The band recorded a full live performance at Eiger Studios, Leeds on 20 January 2018 with the intention of releasing footage as bonus material alongside the upcoming album or as a live DVD. Two new songs made their live debuts at this performance; "Flying" and "Carnivale". This Winter Machine played alongside Mostly Autumn at the Classic Rock Society awards ceremony on 3 March 2018 and received the award for "Best Newcomer 2017".
A Tour of Clocks - 2018
This Winter Machine embarked across the UK on their 'Tour of Clocks'. A bold move playing the yet unreleased second album to live audiences, however their support seems to be ever growing at the regular prog venues like the Robin2 in Bilston, Talking Heads in Southampton and The Citadel in St Helens. The tour culminated in an appearance at the HRH Prog Festival in November 2018 in Wales.
2019 - Tour and writing sessions
Following further tour dates at O'Rileys, Hull and the Robin2, Bilston (with Crystal Palace), the band was asked to perform at the Fusion (Music Without Boundaries) Festival in Stourport. April 2019 also saw the departure of the original bass player, Peter Priestley. They have welcomed Stuart Mcauley to the outfit. The band have commenced writing sessions for their next release, however This Winter Machine toured again this year, with joint headline gigs with the German prog band Karibow. They are also due to appear live, at the one off 'Last Hurrah' show with the band The Reasoning in September.
Albums
The Man Who Never Was (2017)
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Man Who Never Was" | 16:05 |
| 2. | "The Wheel" | 9:28 |
| 3. | "Lullaby (Interrupted)" | 4:53 |
| 4. | "After Tomorrow Comes" | 7:58 |
| 5. | "Fractured" | 10:26 |
A Tower of Clocks (2018)
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Herald" | 8:48 |
| 2. | "Flying" | 3:31 |
| 3. | "Spiral" | 2:17 |
| 4. | "Symmetry & Light" | 7:29 |
| 5. | "Justified" | 4:39 |
| 6. | "In Amber" | 3:57 |
| 7. | "The Hunt" | 7:22 |
| 8. | "Delta" | 8:26 |
| 9. | "When We Were Young" | 5:16 |
| 10. | "Carnivale" | 9:10 |
Accolades
- Best Newcomer 2017 (winner) - Classic Rock Society
- Best Newcomer 2017 (top 5) - Prog Magazine
- Best Newcomer 2016 (nominated) - Classic Rock Society
References
- Watson, Paul (2017-08-06). "'EY UP! WINTER'S COMING! Fair Starved and champion". Progarchy. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- "REVIEW: THIS WINTER MACHINE - THE MAN WHO NEVER WAS (2017)". MaximumVolumeMusic. 2017-01-12. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
- "This Winter Machine – The Man Who Never Was". The Progressive Aspect – TPA. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
- "Review – This Winter Machine – The Man Who Never Was – by Kevin Thompson". Progradar. 2017-02-14. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
- Haifl, Michael. "THIS WINTER MACHINE - The Man Who Never Was". Streetclip.tv. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
- "Resenha do Cd The Man Who Never Was - This Winter Machine no site Galeria Musical". Galeriamusical.com.br (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2017-08-12.
- Γεωργίου, Γιώργος. "THIS WINTER MACHINE: "The Man Who Never Was"". Rockway.gr. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
- Γεωργίου, Γιώργος. "THIS WINTER MACHINE". Rockway.gr. Retrieved 2017-08-29.