Radiation

"Radiation" is the tenth studio album by the British neo-prog band Marillion, released in 1998. The album was recorded at The Racket Club from November 1997 to June 1998 and co-produced and mixed by Stewart Every. It underwent a remix by Michael Hunter between September and November 2012, and a remastered version of the album was reissued in 2013.

For their tenth studio album Radiation (1998), Marillion embraced a variety of new approaches and experimental techniques in their recording process. The band aimed to avoid repetition and explore fresh sounds. Guitarist Steve Rothery, for instance, sought a new guitar tone by abandoning his usual digital delay and chorus effects, opting instead to use a borrowed Gretsch guitar and a Harmony guitar for the bluesy track "Born To Run." Keyboardist Mark Kelly switched to the versatile Roland JP8000 synthesizer and avoided using string synths, while bassist Pete Trewavas incorporated his old Rickenbacker fuzz bass into the mix.

Despite their innovations, the album faced criticism for its production quality. Rothery and drummer Ian Mosley expressed dissatisfaction with the mix, describing it as flat and harsh. The band felt the attempt to step outside their usual style resulted in a product that sounded like a second-rate version of their influences. This led to a significant remix by Michael Hunter in 2012 to address these concerns and offer a fresh perspective.

In a notable departure from their previous tours, Marillion did not include any Fish-era songs in their setlist, focusing instead on their more recent material. The single "These Chains" was promoted with a video featuring lead singer Steve Hogarth metaphorically trapped in a well, which was intended to symbolize overcoming personal struggles.