Released in January 2024, The Starships Are Gathering is the eighth, and quite possibly, the best album yet by Scotland-based progressive rock and fusion guitarist / composer John Irvine. Released by The John Irvine Band, the album features the combined talents of John Irvine and Andrew Scott.

Featuring John handling all manners of guitars, synth keyboards and bass and with Andrew Scott masterful on drums, the 8-cut, 47-minute CD is actually the second release in the ‘End Of Days’ trilogy of progressive instrumental jazz-rock concept albums.

Based around a science fiction story, and presented in the appealing looking CD packaging, the album makes for a white hot, guitar fusion album with roots in progressive rock so there are plenty of YES-inspired fusion moments, especially the 1975 Pat Moraz-era when Relayer was released.

Although the album flows with masterful precision, a definite highlight is actually the lead-off track “All Systems Go”, which sets the pace for the rest of the album to follow.

Never short on guitar fusion ideas, John Irvine Band has released a whole series of brilliantly skillful instrumental jazz-rock albums and his 2024 album The Starships Are Gathering goes the distance and will please music fans lucky enough to know about John Irvine’s sensational recording career.