Blackfield – Welcome to My DNA (2011)
A Deeply Atmospheric Third Studio Album From Blackfield
Welcome to My DNA is the third studio album by the art‑rock collaboration Blackfield, consisting of Steven Wilson (of Porcupine Tree) and Aviv Geffen. Released on 28 March 2011 in Europe and on 19 April 2011 in the United States, this record marks a creative shift toward cinematic arrangements and deeply personal songwriting, with Geffen taking a more prominent creative role.
The album blends melancholic pop, progressive rock textures, and lush orchestration — expanding Blackfield’s signature sound and highlighting the duo’s contrasting yet complementary styles.
Album Overview
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Artist: Blackfield
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Album: Welcome to My DNA
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Release Dates: 28 March 2011 (Europe); 19 April 2011 (US)
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Labels: Kscope (major), Snapper & Helicon (various regional releases)
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Producers: Steven Wilson, Aviv Geffen (plus Trevor Horn on “Oxygen”)
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Genre: Art Rock / Alternative Rock / Progressive Pop
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Length: ~39:35 minutes
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Studios: No Man’s Land (Hemel Hempstead), SARM West (London), Pluto & Bardo (Tel Aviv)
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Notable: First Blackfield album recorded with a full orchestra.
Tracklist
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Glass House – 2:57
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Go to Hell – 3:05
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Rising of the Tide – 3:50
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Waving – 3:56
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Far Away – 2:49
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Dissolving With the Night – 4:08
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Blood – 3:21
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On the Plane – 3:42
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Oxygen – 3:06
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Zigota – 5:06
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DNA – 3:49
The album runs as a tightly woven set of eleven songs — emotional and atmospheric, with orchestral layers accenting the core band sound.
Album Credits
🎤 Band Members
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Aviv Geffen – vocals, guitars, keyboards, orchestral arrangements (most tracks)
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Steven Wilson – vocals, guitars, keyboards, orchestral arrangements (“Waving” & “Dissolving With the Night”)
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Eran Mitelman – piano, keyboards
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Seffy Efrati – bass
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Tomer Z – drums, percussion
🎸 Guest & Additional Musicians
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Yankale Segal – oud, saz, tar lute, baglama on “Blood”
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Trevor Horn – additional keyboards & production on “Oxygen”
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Strings & Orchestral Ensemble – rich orchestral backing across multiple tracks (first time used on a Blackfield record)
🎛️ Production
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Producers: Steven Wilson, Aviv Geffen (all except “Oxygen” by Trevor Horn)
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Mastering: Jon Astley (vinyl & CD editions)
Singles & Promotion
🎧 “Waving” – The album’s primary single, released with an official music video on 21 March 2011 ahead of the album’s release.
🎶 “Glass House” – Served as a promotional single available as an early download prior to the album launch.
Despite limited mainstream chart impact, the album remains a fan favorite — including No. 139 on the UK Albums Chart.
Fun Facts
🎻 Orchestral Debut: Welcome to My DNA is the first Blackfield album to feature a real orchestra, adding depth and cinematic texture to the arrangements.
📽️ Video Release: The single “Waving” received a music video that helped build buzz around the album’s launch.
🎸 Reworked Material: The closing track “Zigota” is a reimagined version of a song Geffen previously released on his 2002 solo album Memento Mori.
🎵 Creative Roles: Most songs were written by Aviv Geffen because Steven Wilson was concurrently working on his solo album Grace for Drowning.
Trivia
🎤 Leadership Shift: The album’s title reflects Geffen’s creative leadership as he wrote most material and guided the thematic direction.
🎶 Stylistic Evolution: Although still rooted in Blackfield’s emotive pop‑rock, Welcome to My DNA leans toward experimental and orchestral textures compared to earlier albums.
🎵 Collaborative Blending: While Wilson’s solo work often leans prog, this album integrates his experimental touch with Geffen’s melodic pop sensibility.
Did You Know?
✨ Welcome to My DNA was recorded in both England and Israel, reinforcing the multinational collaboration at the heart of Blackfield.
✨ The album occasionally surprises listeners with its blend of rock guitars, Middle Eastern influences, and orchestral colors, especially on songs like “Blood.”
Goofs & Misconceptions
❌ Not all songs are Wilson‑centric: Although fans associate Blackfield with Steven Wilson’s work, this album leans more toward Aviv Geffen’s songwriting than earlier records.
❌ Not a concept album about genetics: Despite its title, the album is about emotional identity and experience, not literal DNA or science‑fiction themes.
❌ Not a live recording: Some early listeners mistakenly thought it was a concert album — Welcome to My DNA is studio‑produced with layered orchestration.
