"Hathcock has done what few seem to be able to in the metal world these days, and that's to create genuine emotion and feelings, taken from a very private and secluded spot in the mind, and to put it together into an incredible tribute to his dear friend."
- Power of Metal
"First-rate Progressive Metal, technically high-standing and delivered with a very high level of genuine emotion and passion."
- Rock Music Raider
"This record is why I listen to music."
- The Gauntlet
" In 73 minutes we are submerged into a rollercoaster of emotions. Progressive, yet very heavy and diverse as well." 85/100
- Lords of Metal
"You'll find yourself engrossed in this deeply personal and moving album." 4/5
- Heavy Music Headquarters
"The music would best be described as the most well orchestrated and emotional moments of Opeth and Tool."
- New Prog Releases
"Unlike anything The Reticent has ever recorded before, the album was simultaneously more aggressive and more anguished than anything previously released."
- Metal Musical Archives
"Musically, the album finds The Reticent exploring new terrain, especially in the vocal department where Hathcock's convincing cleans turn in some noteworthy performances."
- Dead Rhetoric
The album was recorded in order in the span of a few days in the summer of 2015 (with a touch up in November 2015). Producer/Engineer Jamie King (known for previous work with BTBAM, The Wretched, Scale The Summit, etc.) chose to allow Hathcock to do as he needed in the studio as he felt it added greatly to the emotion of the record. In fact, on the song "Funeral for a Firefly" when trying to record the lead vocal part, Hathcock made it only two lines in before sobbing hysterically as memories and the trauma he had held back for a decade came flooding to the forefront. After calming to the point that he could catch his breath, Hathcock told Jamie King that he felt unable to record the song. Jamie encouraged him to try just one more time and if it didn't work, they'd drop it. Hathcock went back into the booth and made it through the entire song with constant tears streaming down his face and his voice cracking and quivering as he went through. Jamie was so affected by the performance he said he wanted to keep the raw performance - as in no edits to the sound so every sniffle and breath could be heard putting the listener in the booth with the despairing singer.
Credits:
All music, lyrics, and narration written by Chris Hathcock
All instruments and vocals performed by Chris Hathcock
except the following:
Narration by Carl Hathcock, Juston Green, and Amanda Caines
Female vocals by Amanda Caines
French Horn by Dr. Nicholas Kenney
Trombone and Trumpet by Matthew Parunak
Tenor Saxophone by Andrew Lovett
Produced by Jamie King
Mixed, Mastered, and Engineered by Jamie King at The Basement Studios
Executive Producer: Chris Hathcock
www.thereticent.net