Marillion "An Hour Before It's Dark (EU, earMusic, 0217425EMU)"

An Hour Before It's Dark is the 20th studio album by British neo-prog band Marillion, released on 4 March 2022 by Intact and earMUSIC.

On 3 August 2021, Marillion announced the launch of their new pre-order campaign for the recording and release of a new studio album, their first since With Friends from the Orchestra (2019). Frontman Steve Hogarth said "the overall feeling" of the album "is surprisingly upbeat", with the Choir Noir adding "new soul" and "colour" to the music.

The album includes a behind the scenes documentary about the making of the record, and a performance of "Murder Machines" from Real World Studios.

An Hour Before It's Dark was released on 4 March 2022. To promote the record, several London black cabs were decorated with the album's artwork and free rides are given if the customer mentioned a password, which was the album's title. The promotion ran from 4–14 March.

On 7 March 2022, the band announced a 9-date UK tour for September 2022.

On the UK Albums Chart dated 11 March 2022, An Hour Before It's Dark entered at number two, their highest chart position since Clutching at Straws in 1987.

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Steve Hogarth; all music is composed by Marillion.

An Hour Before It's Dark track listing:

"Be Hard on Yourself"   9:27

I. "The Tear in the Big Picture"

II. "Lust for Luxury"

III. "You Can Learn"

"Reprogram the Gene"   7:00

I. "Invincible"

II. "Trouble-Free Life"

III. "A Cure for Us?"

"Only a Kiss" (instrumental) 0:39

"Murder Machines" 4:20

"The Crow and the Nightingale" 6:35

"Sierra Leone"  10:51

I. "Chance in a Million"

II. "The White Sand"

III. "The Diamond"

IV. "The Blue Warm Air"

V. "More Than a Treasure"

"Care"   15:18

I. "Maintenance Drugs"

II. "An Hour Before It's Dark"

III. "Every Cell"

IV. "Angels on Earth"

Total length: 54:10

Note: After 4 minutes of silence following "Angels on Earth", the CD will play a 12" remix of "Murder Machines".

Recording information:

Marillion – production

Michael Hunter – production, recording, mixing

Simon Ward – artwork