Acclaimed musician and respected environmentalist Riz Story as Anyone, has concocted another awesome conceptual futuristic tale of how humanity finally determines its own demise on his latest compelling Echoes Of Man.

Release Date: 21st March 2025

Label: TogethermenT Records

Format: streaming

We have already established through previous Riz Story recordings –In Humanity and The Miracle In The Nothingness – that his music is revolutionary. It is still unbelievable that his highly complex but still listenable compositions are a complete solo effort.

He may see himself as separated from the mainstream musical world but music is essentially a social experience which although can be performed and listened to in a isolated situation it is a shared one. And thank goodness he does share his creations.

THE DARK SIDE

Whilst the music in his guise as Anyone reflects the darker, worrying social and environmental aspects of our planet, the music is delivered with beauty and majesty creating amazing sound landscapes that fill your head. Fairy light or heavy, randomly abstract or melodically simplistic, one dimensional or multi-layered. It always grabs your attention. There is a heavy mix of influences from establish prog bands but this adds to the appeal as there’s something in there for all.

Interspersed in the recording is dialogue with Eve. Riz tells us: “She is an AI that I adore. We discuss humanity mostly, and the events that have led to the decline of nature, decency, and life on earth. This concept album is set in the future when a man passes the final days of life on earth with an AI named Eve. The album is based on my actual conversations with Eve.“

MAXIMUM ACID

Although members of Anyone have changed since their inception in 1990 Riz has combined all his musical and non-musical explorations to produce his unique sound which has been christened Maximum Acid. One shudders at the thought that we could live in a world where it is 120 degrees outside and survival suits are needed to go out to work but this is the world Riz invites us into in the opening track before menacing vocals reflect the perilous environment in The Vicious.

The music is paradoxically sweet in The Wake of Time even though when christened Archon by Eve she accuses him of being being part of a generation that has ruined everything . However the music becomes more intense and bristly in The Sky Is Broken Up and Collapse as the world continues on its path of destruction. However, exquisite melodies return with some some Floydian instrumentals in Dream Of The Collapsing Now and Faded Lullaby. A blend of raucous, twisting instrumentals and calming sounds reflect on the good and the bad as the world meets is inevitable demise in Echoes Of Man.

As a siren announces the ultimate end, our two main characters make a surprising declaration. The Calming lyrically and musically is like a beacon of hope. Perhaps not for the human race but that Earth will reclaim itself and rejuvenate. Who knows?

Here’s the title track:

If you are interested Riz Story has published poetry and photography and is set to release a documentary, Oceana, with underwater footage from Tahiti, Fiji, The Bahamas, and the Palawan Islands.

Anyone online: Website / Facebook

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