Short Reviews [Hibernal - 2021 - "Repentance"]

I have been a fan of Mark R. Healy’s work ever since I heard his debut ‘The Machine’, and every new release is an absolute delight. Mark has created an artform which is always fascinating, interesting, and never fails to engage the listener. As well as being a musician, Mark is an acclaimed science fiction author (I highly recommend his series, The Reach), and with his albums he combines his love of two very different artforms to create audio films with a cast, perfectly accompanied by his music. His music and the words combine to create a world in the future, and this time we are involved in the story of a bounty hunter who is looking for the person who killed his lover in a car crash. Mark understands his own strengths and weaknesses, so brings in voice actors to bring the characters to life. Spencer Cannon has returned in the lead role this time, someone we last heard on 2020’s ‘Relic’, and we quickly become invested in the story, his loss, and his final repentance. I have no idea how Mark manages to provide a fully formed and fully developed story in so few words, yet he continually does so, and then brings the world to life with his music which is perfectly paced for the job at home. It is a symbiotic relationship, with the words making the music more meaningful and the music bringing the world to life. Sounds effects are utilized to make this a true dark story for the ears, and one can easily visualize what is taking place behind our eyes. Each of his albums requires the listener to sit with headphones and allow themselves to be taken into Mark’s word, with enough time put aside to listen from start to end as this cannot be dipped in and out of. Yet another mastercraft in storytelling.