He began to write sections of different songs while recording albums with Genesis, specifically at moments when his "services weren't really called upon, and I found I had a lot of spare time".

He had written pieces without any specific project in mind, including those for instruments other than the guitar and another for a female vocalist, but after a time he had assembled enough ideas to form an album.

[3] Development was put on hold in late 1974 due to Genesis touring commitments with their album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974), but Hackett remained productive and continued to write in his hotel room each night which kept him "sane" and helped calm his stage nerves.

[2] John Hackett is credited for co-writing the song "A Tower Struck Down" and claims he also wrote the chord pattern immediately preceding the middle section of "Ace of Wands".

[8] Hackett recorded Voyage of the Acolyte in June and July 1975, starting one month after Genesis had finished touring their double concept album, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.