Two legendary Steves. Seven instrumental journeys. One massive prog-rock tidal wave. C’mon butt, this is one for the deep listeners.
Prog fans, brace yourselves — because two absolute titans of the genre have finally joined forces properly, and the result sounds less like “two guitarists having a noodle” and more like a full-blown cinematic voyage across stormy seas, haunted coastlines, and beautifully moody musical waters.
Steve Hackett, legendary Genesis guitarist and solo powerhouse, and Steve Rothery, the unmistakable guitar voice of Marillion, have officially launched ‘The Black Sea’, the first track from their long-awaited collaborative album The Roaring Waves.
And yes — after years of rumours, whispers, “is it happening?” moments, and prog fans quietly vibrating with anticipation in the corner, the album is finally set to arrive on 28th August 2026 via InsideOut Music. The record features seven instrumental tracks and has been described as a sea-themed work shaped by atmosphere, memory, imagination, and the sheer elemental pull of the ocean.
Not Just A Guitar Album — This Is A Proper Journey 🌊
Now, let’s be honest: when you hear that Steve Hackett and Steve Rothery have made an instrumental album together, it would be easy to imagine a full-on fretboard Olympics — solos flying everywhere, notes multiplying like seagulls after chips, and every track sounding like someone trying to win a prog trophy.
But that’s not what this is.
Hackett himself puts it perfectly, saying: “It’s not the kind of album that guitarists normally make together.”
And that’s the key, mun. The Roaring Waves isn’t about showing off. It’s about mood, space, tone, storytelling, and letting the guitars breathe like sea air after a storm.
Recorded intermittently over nearly a decade, with sessions taking place at Racket Club and the duo’s home studios, the album grew from an organic, improvisational process. Shared ideas, jams, textures, and musical conversations became the foundations of the record — less “battle of the guitar gods”, more “two masters painting the same coastline from different sides of the harbour.”
‘The Black Sea’ Sets Sail First ⚓
The first taste of the album comes in the form of ‘The Black Sea’, a brooding, atmospheric instrumental piece that immediately feels like the curtain rising on a dark, mysterious voyage.
The track arrives with a video directed by Tim Sidwell, featuring Hackett and Rothery performing alongside key album collaborators Riccardo Romano and Leon Parr. Romano also co-wrote, mixed, and played keyboards and bass on the album, while Parr handles drums — giving the whole thing a rich, expansive sound rather than just a two-guitar showcase.
Steve Rothery says ‘The Black Sea’ is the perfect introduction to the world they’ve created, adding: “We have a very special chemistry.”
Steve Hackett adds that the track’s combination of guitars and keys created “a strong vibe of intrigue” and the feeling of “a musical dark sea adventure.”
And honestly? That’s exactly the vibe. It’s not a quick splash in the paddling pool — it’s deep water, butt. Dark, glimmering, cinematic, and full of that prog magic where you suddenly realise six minutes have passed and you’ve been staring out the window like you’re in a dramatic BBC coastline documentary.
Prog Royalty, But With Heart 🎸
What makes this collaboration so exciting is the emotional language both guitarists bring.
Hackett’s work with Genesis helped shape some of progressive rock’s most beloved and adventurous music, while Rothery’s playing with Marillion has long been praised for its emotional depth, melodic sensitivity, and unmistakable voice. Blabbermouth notes Hackett’s reputation from the classic Genesis era and Rothery’s status as Marillion’s original guitarist and longest-serving member.
Put them together, and you don’t get two egos fighting for the spotlight. You get two artists listening, reacting, and building something that feels genuinely collaborative.
Rothery describes the process as being about creating atmosphere — “like painting a picture” and “taking people on a journey.”
That’s proper prog right there. Not just technical fireworks. Not just time signatures doing gymnastics. But storytelling without words.
The Full Tracklisting 🌊
The Roaring Waves features seven instrumental compositions:
- The Storm
- Sandsend
- Red Dragon
- The Roaring Waves
- K-129
- The Black Sea
- Pacific Coast Highway
Even the titles feel like chapters in some lost maritime epic. You’ve got storm clouds, Welsh dragon energy, submarine mystery, roaring tides, and a closing drive along the Pacific Coast Highway. It’s basically a prog concept voyage without needing a narrator in a cape — although, let’s be fair, we’d still allow it.
Formats For The Proper Collectors 📀
The album is also getting a tidy physical release, which should make collectors start clearing shelf space immediately.
The Roaring Waves will be available in several formats, including a limited CD+Blu-ray mediabook edition featuring Dolby Atmos mixes by Andy Bradfield and High Resolution Stereo mixes. It will also be released as a standard CD and a gatefold 180g LP, cut at half-speed at Abbey Road Studios by Miles Showell. Artwork and layouts come from Simon Ward.
Translation: this is not just a “stick it on streaming and forget about it” release. This is a headphones-on, lights-low, vinyl-spinning, “don’t talk to me for 45 minutes” kind of album.
The Riff Report Verdict 🤘
This is a proper moment for prog fans.
Two iconic players from two massive branches of the progressive family tree have come together not to compete, not to shred for the sake of shredding, but to create something atmospheric, emotional, and cinematic.
‘The Black Sea’ feels like the first dark ripple from a much bigger body of work — mysterious, elegant, and full of quiet power. It’s got that “late-night headphones while the rain batters the window” energy, which in Wales means it’s basically designed for 80% of the year.
If the rest of The Roaring Waves follows this path, we could be looking at one of 2026’s most intriguing prog releases — not because it shouts the loudest, but because it knows exactly how to pull you under.
So grab your headphones, ignore the outside world, and prepare to drift into the deep.
Steve Hackett and Steve Rothery are steering the ship — and the prog ocean just got a lot more interesting. 🌊🎸🔥
Album Details
Artist: Steve Hackett & Steve Rothery
Album: The Roaring Waves
Release Date: 28th August 2026
Label: InsideOut Music
First Single: ‘The Black Sea’
Formats: Ltd CD+Blu-ray mediabook, standard CD, gatefold 180g LP
For Fans Of: Genesis, Marillion, atmospheric prog, cinematic instrumentals, guitar tone nerd heaven
The Riff Report Rating For Excitement: 9/10 roaring waves 🌊🌊🌊
