Released: 2022

Genres: Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal, Alternative Rock

The Musiquarium’s CLOSURE/CONTINUATION Review Score: 8 out of 10

After 13 years of fans questioning whether or not Steven Wilson would reunite Porcupine Tree, it seems that the unlikely finally happened in late 2021, when the band released a new track called Harridan out of nowhere, followed by the announcement of the band’s eleventh studio album to arrive the following summer.

Within the time between Porcupine Tree’s last album, The Incident, and CLOSURE/CONTINUATION, Steven Wilson had released five more solo albums, with his fanbase growing with every release, going from cult hero to one of the torchbearers of modern prog rock. During this time, Porcupine Tree had become increasingly respected by both prog and alternative metal fans alike, with many of their albums being held in high regard, reaching the upper echelons of the modern progressive genre.

There was an increasing demand for Wilson to revive Porcupine Tree, and after the mixed reception of Steven Wilson’s recent album THE FUTURE BITES, it seems as though a new PT album was the only way to save face and win back the fans let down by the relative failure of his detour into pop.

Reuniting with keyboardist Richard Barbieri and drummer Gavin Harrison, this is Porcupine Tree’s first album as a trio, as bassist Colin Edwin is nowhere to be found; Steven Wilson takes over bass duties, in addition to the guitars and vocals. While Colin Edwin was an incredible bassist, Wilson is no slouch either, but it does make you wonder what could have been if the full band was on the record.

Harridan is without a doubt the best song on C/C, being a wise choice for the first single, despite its 8+ minute runtime, though the rest of the album can hold its own. Of the New Day features many impressive time signature and chord changes, almost more-so than your typical Porcupine Tree song. Dignity is one of the more melodic tracks, though it does sounds similar to Seal’s Kiss From a Rose.

Rats Return has one of Wilson’s best metal riffs. Herd culling is fine, but it does start to feel a bit repetitive by the halfway-point. Walk the Plank is a mellow keyboard-heavy track. Chimera’s Wreck is this album’s sprawling epic and a powerful closer. The bonus tracks are also great, particularly Love in the Past Tense.

While CLOSURE/CONTINUATION doesn’t surpass the heights of the band’s best work released between 2002-2007 and is slightly disappointing, considering that it’s the band’s first album in 13 years, I think most fans would still be optimistic about a continuation after this, however unlikely that may be.

For credit breakdowns and historic release details, view Porcupine Tree on Discogs.

Back to the 2022 Album Guide or the Porcupine Tree Reviews page.

Written by Brett Nippard