Recorded at Andy Sneap’s home studio in Derbyshire must have been a home from home for the quintet These Wicked Rivers. Their third album, Fire And Folklore, features country star Kezia Gill on Sing Another Song. This is one of a few twists and turns that make this an album worth a listen.
These Wicked Rivers – Fire And Folklore
Release Date: 2 October 2026
Words: Paul Hutchings
Formed in 2014, it is reasonable to say that they are a slow-burn band. No heady stardom achieved on the debut album, but a steady development of styles, honing their live performances to the point where they are now an in-demand headliner for many of the classic rock festivals that straddle the summer months.
Although for me it is when the band get their riffs fired up that they are at their best. They have expanded their sound exponentially on Fire And Folklore. There is more variety, with the switch to blend their Southern rock sound with country elements working and providing a more balanced and well-paced release.
Openers The Healing, Horse To Water and Ain’t No Smoke certainly give the big bang needed at the start. The latter is described by keyboardist Rich Wilson as a song that “takes you on a journey of highs and lows of trust and betrayal through the eye of the storm and out the other side again. The song builds like waves crashing down before everything is suddenly calm again, only then to build to its inevitable end.”
Then there is Rise, a glorious Skynyrd-esque central pillar which allows guitarist Aaron Day to show his quality. Only the fade spoils the epic nature of a song that is sure to feature on the band’s forthcoming tour.
Brother Oh Brother sits in Nick Cave country. A song that could quite easily fit into the soundtrack of a gritty TV show like Sons of Anarchy, it is a short piece, not that the band overstay their welcome at any time with their songs never longer than five minutes and invariably shorter. This one sees Wilson’s rich keys provide the perfect level of layered depth.
Better Man drifts into western ballad territory. Not my favourite, it does sound like a cross between Rival Sons and Blackberry Smoke, not a bad thing, but the lyrical journey is not the most inspiring.
Woodland Queen, the penultimate song, does see the band in full flow, and it thumps along in the style most are best acquainted with. It leads to the relaxed, fireside tales of Stories. A little clichéd, it works as an ending to an album that ticks most boxes.
At times, genuinely chilled, and at other times showing that harder edge which These Wicked Rivers become well known for, Fire And Folklore is an album that most fans will lap up. Will it attract newer fans? Very likely.
These Wicked Rivers release Fire And Folklore on 2 October 2026 via Fat Earth Records. The album is available in a variety of formats, including an exclusive limited-edition pressed-flower vinyl. Pre-order now via TheseWickedRivers.com.
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