Album Review: These Wicked Rivers - Fire and Folklore (Fat Earth Records, 2026)
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Written: 26th September 2026
Formed in Derbyshire's Amber Valley in 2014, These Wicked Rivers emerged from the local rock scene with a sound rooted in blues, Southern rock and classic rock. Over the following twelve years, the band have built a following around the UK and Europe through their albums and extensive live work. Their music combines bluesy guitar work, soulful vocals and an infectious groove, while their live shows have become an important part of the band's identity. Having previously released two EPs and two albums, These Wicked Rivers are back with their latest full-length, Fire and Folklore.
These Wicked Rivers describe the music as reflecting “the human tradition of storytelling, sitting round the fire and passing knowledge through stories.” This becomes apparent from the opening moments of Fire and Folklore, with The Healing commencing with a brief passage of a cappella harmonies before the main riff arrives. The effect is one of people gathering together to share their tales. Excellent guitar work is woven throughout the album and the band’s southern rock and blues influences are highlighted here. A stirring, groove-laden first track, it occasionally strays into harder rock territories, particularly during Day’s rambunctious solo. Lyrically, it is a fitting choice to open the album, exploring the idea of new beginnings, using baptism as a metaphor for leaving behind negative energy and moving forward into a hopefully better life. A stunning start to Fire and Folklore.
Horse To Water tackles the theme of addiction and the lasting consequences it creates. I'm gonna run until I can no longer bare the sun / I'm gonna hide 'til hunger takes away my foolish pride / 'Cos it's a long old way to go to make it right / Yeah, such a long way to go. Its endlessly inviting, rolling swagger combines wonderfully with John Hartwell’s charismatic vocals. The chorus is among the most infectious here and it is one that has been lurking within the band’s unused ideas for some time. Multi-instrumentalist Rich Wilson explains, "I'd had the chorus for the better part of ten years, then finally felt inspired to finish it. It was originally going to be a slower and sadder affair but then I heard Midnight Rider (by The Allman Brothers Band) and thought about those three-part harmonies… we've road tested it a fair bit and are really happy to have captured that live feel in the studio."
Ain’t No Smoke - one of my favourites - is slightly slower paced, rich in atmosphere and finds These Wicked Rivers making thoughtful use of dynamics. From the gritty almost stomping riffs of the introduction and the verses to the evocative aura of the quieter instrumental section, it feels like the quintet truly flexing their songwriting muscles. Taking the listener to darker places both musically and lyrically, it deals with confrontation and learning about hidden truths. The interplay between guitar and piano during the song’s climax is among the album’s best moments.
Love To Love – which features whiskey-soaked harmonica from Wilson – shows that there were no limits placed on the variety that the band wanted to include. While the track examines the corruptible nature of people, there is also a feeling of yearning imbued throughout that asks us to look deeper into ourselves. Beautifully paced, it evolves gradually and by the time we reach the final quarter, the tempo increases and the band deliver one of the most intense passages to be found on Fire and Folklore.
In complete contrast, the acoustic based Sing Another Song benefits from a guest spot from UK country star Kezia Gill. Gill states, “I’ve been a fan of These Wicked Rivers for a while and I love that we both come from the same area, so I was honoured to be asked to feature on Sing Another Song.” Diving into their experiences of being musicians on the road, we learn about the highs and lows that go with such a lifestyle. Nowhere on Fire and Folklore is the band's desire to create the feeling of a community gathered together in celebration of music and storytelling more apparent. It is easy to imagine the song becoming a quieter mid-set moment in the live arena, drawing the audience into its warm embrace. The restrained guitar solo is exquisitely performed and the sentiments expressed within the lyrics never feel contrived. Instead, the song stands as a heartfelt reflection on the band, life on the road and the relationship they share with their fans.
At five-and-a-half minutes, Rise is the longest song on the album and quite simply ranks among the finest songs These Wicked Rivers have ever written. Making a statement about the possibility of a coming revolution, it is also the heaviest track here, with thunderous, weighty riffs driving the song forward alongside a powerhouse performance from drummer Dan Southall and bassist Adam Brewell, before an incendiary, soaring guitar solo takes it to another level.
Following Rise, the band take a sharp change of direction, stripping everything back during the opening minute of Brother Oh Brother, the album's shortest composition at just over two-and-a-half minutes. The haunting introduction sends goosebumps up my arms, perfectly capturing the song's deeply affecting character. Midway through, the arrangement blossoms into something altogether more expansive as the guitar begins to soar, whilst the closing moments find every member of the band absolutely on fire. Few songs on the album leave quite such a lasting impression.
As the album moves towards its conclusion, Better Man – a hybrid of rocker and ballad - takes a more contemporary turn which brings a dramatic, atmospheric quality to proceedings. Orchestral arrangements build beneath sterling guitar work, creating a track of significant breadth. The penultimate track, Woodland Queen, is impossible to hear without a smile. An upbeat number, it is inspired by a mystical lady of the forest who hypnotises mortal men with her power and beauty. There is a Southern, partly pastoral feel running through parts of the song, giving it a playful character that makes it another track I can already imagine working brilliantly in the live set.
Fire and Folklore ends with Stories which reflects upon the role that family storytelling plays in keeping memories alive across generations. Inspired by relatives gathering together to share recollections of loved ones who have passed away, the song recognises how those stories allow people to remain a part of our lives long after they are gone. Acoustically led, there is a tinge of country running through the music that keeps you tapping your foot while thinking about your own family.
Recorded close to home in Derbyshire with Andy Sneap, Colin Richardson and engineer Pete Newdeck, Fire and Folklore benefits from a production style that balances warmth with clarity. The organic approach captures the natural chemistry between the musicians, allowing the songs to breathe whilst retaining a strong sense of energy and character.
These Wicked Rivers have taken what they have established over the past twelve years and expanded it further without losing the qualities that have made the band so distinctive. The blues and Southern rock foundations remain firmly intact but there is greater variety here, with the band moving confidently between heavier passages, acoustic moments and more atmospheric territory. Fire and Folklore is their best album so far, bringing together strong song writing, superb musicianship and a sense that the band are continuing to grow while remaining true to themselves. It is a record that deserves to take These Wicked Rivers to an even wider audience.
Fire and Folklore is released on 2nd October 2026
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