The new Witness 8 track demo which makes up the main part of their new album sees yet another departure from the style of their last album. Unlike the huge shift in style seen from Before The Calm to Under A Sun however, the new material seems to almost merge both of these albums together, whilst pushing forward their direction too. The melodies seen on Under A Sun are still present, whilst the sound as been stripped down to a similar level to Before The Calm.

The demo begins with One Is What One Is. With its hypnotic guitarline and chorus that long sticks in your mind, it looks destined to be their first single release of the new album. 

Numbers sees a cutting back on the strong guitar sound favoured on Under A Sun in favour or a more laid back sound. The track sees Gerard delving into his mind for answers as he sings "Where are we now/ No I won't answer that/ I can't handle cold hard facts."  and "If I had a point I would be dangerous/I should give it all up, get a proper job.

The bass-led track Waiting To Die could almost be seen as a follow on to Numbers, lyrics wise as Gerard questions his abilities; "I think I've lost it, got nothing to say/ Not sure I ever did anyway."

Slide sees Gerard repeatedly asserting the point "You don't say much" before adding "I don't say much either/its more than my defence allows/restricting what comes in and what comes out" along with fantastically original guitar and rhythm lines that crescend to a huge finale.

Vicious lines from Dylan, Ray and John dominate the verses of Hiding Out before subsiding to atmospheric guitar lines and eerie vocals on the chorus.

The beautiful Call Me has a similar emotional feel to it as Still from Before the Calm.  You can't help but share the pain and bring back your own thoughts of past lost-love when Gerard sings "You've known for years I've thought about nothing else"

On Potions Gerard sounds close to tears as he sings "Don't be alone/that would be a waste" in a voice so fragile you daren't breath in case it shatters. We also see the addition of a violin to aid Rays luscious guitar lines.

The CD ends with the upbeat Sign Off. Gerard seems to want to forget about the past as he sings "Its no good remembering faces/faces of the past will distort and confuse" but also seems worried about the future; "I've got a lot to do/but not much time to do it in."  The violin also makes a welcome return as it brings an Irish folk feel to the track.

In conclusion, the CD is yet another Witness masterpiece. Not all the tracks hit you instantly but they grow and grow on you until they are woven into your consciousness. Whilst not taking anything away from the rest of the band, the thing that stands out most is Gerards lyrics. Before The Calm stood out to me for the atmosphere the music created. On this new CD it is the lyrics and vocals that create the atmosphere. The new material is, in my opinion the best stuff Gerard has written and the songs draw you in from beginning to end. The only thing left to say is the sooner the album gets released, the better as then the rest of you can also enjoy it as much as I am at present!