The Emerald is the second album from Martin Kennedy's instrumental metal project, Observers. The Emerald's instrumental post-metal was inspired by the primeval forests and hidden portals of the cover art by visionary art pioneer Gilbert Williams, one of Kennedy's favourite artists. Once again mixed by Joe Haley of Australia's Psycroptic, the album is equal parts crushing guitars and atmospheric soundscapes, reminiscent of Kennedy's ambient rock project All India Radio.
Observers' debut earned widespread acclaim, including selection on NPR's New Music Friday, a Wild One pick on ABC TV's Rage, and praise from critics around the world. Prog magazine hailed it as a "glorious instrumental reimagining of 2001: A Space Odyssey," while Distorted Sound called it "a sprawling space-metal epic." Steve Kilbey of The Church simply declared it "sounds brilliant," and Sea of Tranquility "Spacey and doomy" 3 stars.
All song by Martin Kennedy except Boreal World with Julian Goldberger / Eulipion Corps
Martin Kennedy - guitars, synths & soundscapes.
Chris Bohm - drums.
Rich Gray - Bass
Additional musicians: Joao Corceiro, Martin Arroyou, German Maldonado
Album art by Gilbert Williams.
Mixed by Joe Haley at Crawlspace.
Mastered by Joe Carra at Crystal
Observers | The Emerald | CD
Observers | The Emerald | CD
1. The Emerald 04:56
2. The Eye Tree 03:05
3. Forest of Doom 05:57
4. Asterophora 03:07
5. The Word for Forest is World 01:42
6. Predestination 05:40
7. Boreal World 05:27
8. Voices Within 06:11
9. After Us 01:21
10. The Door (Outtake) 03:210783026151306