Two of progressive rock’s most celebrated guitarists have finally turned years of anticipation into reality. Former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett and Marillion legend Steve Rothery have officially released “The Black Sea,” the first single from their long-awaited collaborative album, The Roaring Waves, offering fans an atmospheric glimpse into one of the most anticipated instrumental releases in modern progressive rock.
The album, which arrives on August 28 via InsideOut Music, has been nearly a decade in the making. While the idea of Hackett and Rothery creating an album together first surfaced more than ten years ago, busy touring schedules and commitments with their respective careers meant the project evolved gradually through intermittent recording sessions at Hackett’s Racket Club studio and the pair’s home studios.
Rather than producing a typical guitar showcase, the duo intentionally avoided musical competition.
Steve Hackett explained:
“It’s not the kind of album that guitarists normally make together.”
Instead, both musicians focused on creating expansive instrumental landscapes inspired by the power, mystery and emotion of the sea.
Steve Rothery described the creative philosophy behind the project:
“You’re trying to create an atmosphere… like painting a picture. Taking people on a journey.”
Hackett echoed that vision, saying the record grew naturally from improvisation, shared musical ideas and mutual respect rather than technical showmanship.
“The Black Sea” sets the tone
Serving as the album’s lead single, “The Black Sea” immediately establishes the cinematic direction of the record.
The piece features sweeping dual-guitar melodies, rich keyboard textures and dramatic dynamic shifts that blend Hackett’s unmistakable melodic phrasing with Rothery’s emotional, atmospheric style.
Rothery said:
“I think The Black Sea is the perfect introduction to the sonic world we’ve created between us. We have a very special chemistry.”
Hackett added:
“For ‘The Black Sea’, our joint guitar sounds with the keys created a strong vibe of intrigue along with a sense of a musical dark sea adventure.”
The accompanying performance video showcases Hackett and Rothery alongside keyboardist, bassist and co-writer Riccardo Romano and drummer Leon Parr, bringing the song’s expansive arrangements to life in an intimate studio setting.
An album built around the sea
Every composition on The Roaring Waves revolves around the ocean—not simply as scenery, but as a metaphor for memory, mystery, exploration and emotion.
Rothery, who spent part of his childhood near England’s northeast coast, explained that the project draws heavily from those experiences.
“In winter, you could hear the roaring of the waves during the stormy weather. Whitby was a very evocative place to live, a very poetic and powerful place to grow up.”
That imagery became the conceptual backbone of the record, with every composition exploring a different emotional or historical connection to the sea.
Friendship before music
One reason the collaboration feels so seamless is the long friendship between the two guitarists.
Hackett said:
“When you’re friends first, and the music comes later, you know it’s non-competitive and something else starts to happen.”
Rothery also reflected on what working with one of his musical heroes meant personally.
“If you’d have told the 15-year-old me, just discovering Genesis, that one day Steve would be a friend of mine, I’d have fallen over.”
Those comments highlight why the album sounds less like two virtuosos battling for attention and more like two storytellers painting together with guitars.
Full track listing
- The Storm
- Sandsend
- Red Dragon
- The Roaring Waves
- K-129
- The Black Sea
- Pacific Coast Highway
The musicians
Steve Hackett
- Former Genesis guitarist
- Solo artist for nearly five decades
- Known for pioneering progressive rock guitar techniques
Steve Rothery
- Founding guitarist of Marillion
- Only continuous member of the band since its formation
- Celebrated for his melodic, atmospheric guitar style
Supporting musicians include:
- Riccardo Romano — keyboards, bass, co-writer and mixing
- Leon Parr — drums
Available formats
The Roaring Waves will be released as:
- Limited CD + Blu-ray Mediabook
- Dolby Atmos Mix (Andy Bradfield)
- High-Resolution Stereo Mix
- Standard CD
- 180-gram Gatefold Vinyl
- Half-speed mastered at Abbey Road Studios by Miles Showell
- Artwork by Simon Ward
After years of speculation, delays and scheduling conflicts, The Roaring Waves finally represents the meeting of two of progressive rock’s most expressive guitar voices. Rather than delivering a record built around solos and technical fireworks, Hackett and Rothery have crafted an immersive instrumental journey where atmosphere takes precedence over ego. If “The Black Sea” is any indication, the album promises to be less about virtuosity and more about emotion, storytelling and the timeless power of melody.
