In late 2019, progressive metal band The Night Watch released their third full-length album, a stunning instrumental masterpiece titled “An Embarrassment of Riches. Weaving together classical guitar, violin, and breathtaking cinematic effects,The Night Watch managed to create an immersive experience like no other in a conceptual adventure following a shipwrecked explorer. Though they already had two albums to their name, “An Embarrassment of Riches” was not just their boldest endeavor to date, but one that rightfully turned the spotlight on the humble Canadian artists.
Sonic Perspectives placed “An Embarrassment of Riches” on the final list for the 2019 Progressive Metal Album of the Year, pointing to the strong diversity and technically complex songwriting as some of the album’s greatest strengths. Drawing from a number of genres resulted in rich folk passages, vibrant violin solos, and technically adept guitar segments that paint a boundless scope of emotions in over an hour of instrumental bliss. The key guiding force through the album are the sometimes folksy, sometimes fiery contributions by guitarist Nathanael Larochette, an artist who glides naturally between styles as a fish cuts through water. Definitive in setting the album’s tone and crafting decadent atmospheres alongside violinist Evan Runge, Larochette demonstrated his ability to shift the execution of his craft to encompass multiple sub-genres and explore a bold artistic vision.
The album’s depth and stylistic scope contribute to the inability of an outsider to fully delve into the many layers within “An Embarrassment of Riches.” To speak at length about the album’s creation, the stylistic influences, and where the band is headed in the future, Larochette spoke with Sonic Perspective’s contributor Samantha Buckman about the album and his own vision as an artist. To keep up with interviews like this one and more, be sure to follow Sonic Perspectives on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to be notified about new interviews and contents we publish on a daily basis.
Podcast: Download (Duration: 57:48 — 132.6MB)
Subscribe to our Podcasts on: Apple Podcasts | iHeartRadio | Email
