Hand. Cannot. Erase. by Steven Wilson

Steven Wilson excels at ambitious projects that bring the finest musicians and cutting-edge technology together. In another era, this album might be *2112* or *The Wall*. Presently, it’s a masterwork partly inspired by the story of a 38-year-old woman whose body was discovered in her London flat several years after she’d died, despite having friends and family. Wilson imagines a living woman, her thoughts and her rituals for coping with everyday living. Dramatic, extended instrumental work (“First Regret,” “Routine,” “Home Invasion,” “Ancestral”) exists within conventional songs, creating a monumentally virtuosic and poetic emotional work worthy of its grandeur.

Steven Wilson, four-time Grammy nominee, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and founder member of Porcupine Tree, released his critically acclaimed fourth solo album Hand. Cannot. Erase. in 2015. In 2017 he shot back into the charts with his fifth solo album To the Bone at #3 in the UK and #2 in Germany, which built on the success of Hand. Cannot. Erase., which reached #13 in the UK and #3 in Germany. As well as a good reception from fans, Hand. Cannot. Erase. was well supported in the press, with the Financial Times (UK) calling the album "richly textured and forceful... and tender treatments of the theme of loss", Classic Rock (UK) claiming it to be "A tour de force of experimental music making... 8/10" and Metal Hammer (DE) described it as "another masterstroke... 6/7", as well as receiving five stars from Record Collector and four from Q Magazine. Hand. Cannot Erase. was recorded at London’s illustrious Air Studios, Steven reunited Guthrie Govan (guitar), Adam Holzman (keyboards), Theo Travis (flute / sax), Nick Beggs (bass / stick), and Marco Minneman (drums), the spectacular band responsible for 'The Raven...' album and world tour. “Hand. Cannot. Erase. Is an album rooted in sonic and spiritual modernity… an inventive blend of bleak and brooding industrial soundscapes” ***** The Guardian

6 / 10

This chilling story made headlines in Great Britain, and the mysterious person behind it moved Steven Wilson to create this fictional concept album (small "c").

4.5 / 5

A review of Steven Wilson's Hand. Cannot. Erase. which is out worldwide from Kscope Music on the 3rd of March.

8 / 10

An album inspired by the true tale of a young woman’s sad, strange death is a soulful, rich musical journey

5.0 / 5

Steven Wilson - Hand. Cannot. Erase. review: A modern concept brought to life by an impressive, effective mix of accessibility and complexity.