[size=12pt]Octopus - Bonsaï[/size]
[size=10pt]Instrumental Progressive Rock/Metal[/size]

Full-length, Mylodon Records
2006


1. Algo Medio 06:49
2. Ruka Pillan 06:01
3. Pseudo Groove 07:13
4. On/CD 07:07
5. Catarsis 04:36
6. Bipolar 07:14
7. Viento Sur 06:30
8. Bonsai 09:17
Total playing time 54:47

Zitat:With its twin-guitar formula and its strong rhythmic section, OCTOPUS plays an instrumental fusion that sometimes recalls DREAM THEATERs heaviest moments, as well as Steve VAI or TOOL... Created in the year 2001, this chilean band now publishes its second studio album. Jointly published by the Musea and Mylodon labels, "Bonsai" (2006) displays eight instrumental full of heavy riffs, semi-improvised sequences, complex breaks and rhythms. The musicians are all virtuosos and create a wild music, full of power and experiments, surprises and constant rhythmic and melodic changes. Really impressive !

Zitat:Its taken a few years for Metal Church mainman Kurdt Vanderhoof to unleash the second CD from his prog-rock alter ego Presto Ballet, but here it is, titled The Lost Art of Time Travel (soon to be released on ProgRock Records). If you dug 2005s excellent debut Peace Among the Ruins, with its 70s prog meets pomp bombast & melody, then this sophomore release will certainly scratch that itch you might have for some vintage sounds. Though its safe to say that those Kansas, Styx, Yes, Genesis, Spocks Beard, Deep Purple, Aviary, and Ambrosia influences run amok throughout The Lost Art of Time Travel, thats by no means a bad thing, as Presto Ballet make no bones about recreating their version of classic hard driving prog, complete with soaring vocals, vintage keys, catchy melodies, and blistering guitar work.

As far as keyboards go, theres even more Hammond organ, Mellotron, and synths this time around, as the songs seem less based on guitar riffs and more on the keys. Opening cut "The Mind Machine" is a rampaging near 11-minute gem, Vanderhoofs guitar riffs laying the groundwork for some splendid Hammond & synth melodies, the arrangement complex yet highly melodic, Scott Albrights vocals soaring over the top. Ryan McPherson, along with Vanderhoof, provide a wide assortment of keyboard textures throughout this piece, making it one hell of a symphonic prog opener to this CD. "Thieves" has a distinct Yes-meets-Dream Theater feel, Kurdts guitars having a heavier punch here, complemented by Hammond and Israel Rehaumes sinewy bass grooves. Albrights high pitched yet poignant vocals really shine on this one, sounding like a cross between Todd Rundgren, Jon Anderson, and James LaBrie. The short acoustic pop of "Youre Alive" provides a quick break from the bombast, but shows the bands ability to write a quick & catchy tune (too bad Styx cant write tunes like this these days!). The guys lurch back into hard-edged symphonic prog on the albums epic 14-minute extravaganza "One Tragedy at a Time", which kicks off with some bouncy grooves, Mellotron washes, fluttering synths, majestic Hammond, and melodic riffs. Over the course of this one, Presto Ballet takes you on a wild journey, with plenty of time and meter changes, as they go from quirky prog, to aggressive hard rock, to all out orchestral bombast. McPhersons Hammond work is pure gold on this one, and lets not forget the tricky drum work of Bill Raymond, who really shows his skills on this lengthy piece. Progressive metal meshes with majestic Yes styled prog on the excellent "Im Not Blind" (again, that Hammond Ryan, that Hammond!), and the band throws in a fanstastic, complex rocker with "Easy Tomorrow", featuring wild interplay from all the members, McPhersons nimble piano and husky Hammond providing the perfect foil to Kurdts crunchy riffs and Rehaumes thick bass grooves. Albright also impresses here, as he handles the heavier parts as well as the softer sections, showing great versatily and range. Final track "Haze" is a dreamy, lush piece, Mellotrons and acoustic guitars providing the landscape for Scotts intoxicating vocals. Rehaumes elastic, Chris Squire-ish lead bass lines and some Moog synth melodies are just the icing on the cake on this prog masterpiece, a must hear for lovers of the early 70s scene.

No offense to Metal Church, as I know its the band that brings in much of Venderhoofs earnings, but Presto Ballet is where its at. The Lost Art of Time Travel is killer prog rock from start to finish, a perfect homage to the great sounds of the 70s, yet with a modern twist. Now, if we can only get this band at some of the US Prog Festivals the world will be a better place!

Voe: 2008

Genre: Heavy Rock / Sludge

Label: North Atlantic

Herkunftsland: USA

Klingt wie: Sleep


Tracklist:

01. Neptune With Fire
02. Orcus Avarice


Spielzeit: 39:58

Zitat:Slaves to the riff take heed, the debut album from L.A.’s Ancestors entitled Neptune With Fire is here and it wants your soul. Of course you’ll gladly give it over when you hear this riff laden psychedelic opus and its multi-layered, thick, progressive doom, culled straight from the seventies and blasted through every essence of your being.

Conceptual in its construction, this immersive aural experience consists of two tracks (clocking in at 16:41 and 21:39 respectively) which meander from one riff to the next with fluid grace and effortless timing. Opening track “Orcus’ Avarice” has an initial jam feel to it, but plays out like a road “trip” through your subconscious, while title track “Neptune With Fire” takes the listener on the cosmic journey of a mythical character and the trials and tribulations inherent in that journey. Each of these tracks plays out like multiple songs meshed together with instrumental interludes, reminiscent of stoner doom bands like Sleep, Green Milk From the Planet Orange and Sons of Otis.

Although elements of doom metal are present in Neptune With Fire, this album is not predominantly “doom” in nature. By fusing styles and genres, Ancestors owe more “props” to Pink Floyd than Black Sabbath, with their organ and vocal work giving this album a modern classic feel. Add to that some of the most intricate and sweeping guitar and bass work, “textural incarnations” and drumming second to none and this one album holds more power and grace than most artists scrape together in a whole career.

With sludge factors set on high, Neptune With Fire takes the pure enjoyment of riff soaked nods to the past and breaths new life into a genre set adrift by speed and repetition.

Persoenlicher Nachtrag:
Treibendes Drumming trifft auf turmhohe Brachialriffs. Es groovt an allen Ecken und Enden. Musik, die nach Kopfhoerern schreit, um sich dann von ihr ertraenken zu lassen. Definitiv mein persoenliches Genre fuer das Jahr 2008.

Meine Wertung: 9.0/10

Voe: 2006

Genre: Emocore / Screamo

Label: Fearless Records

Herkunftsland: USA

Klingt wie: Alexisonfire, Armor For Sleep


Tracklist:

01. Hang Em High
02. Contagious
03. Annexation Of Puerto Rico
04. The Art Of Sharing Lovers
05. The Collision
06. Trigger Happy Tarantula
07. Eager Cannibals
08. Life In A Museum
09. Stare At The Air
10. Static Slumber Party
11. Mechanical Heart

Spielzeit: 43:27

Zitat:A Static Lullaby haetten es seinerzeit wirklich schaffen koennen. Mit "... And Dont Forget To Breathe" wurde ein grandioser Longplay-Einstand auf Ferret abgeliefert, dann jedoch folgte mit "Faso Latido" schon der Sprung aufs Major, was dem Fuenfer das Genick gebrochen zu haben schien. Die Band jedenfalls war danach gebrochen, die Verkaeufe liessen ebenfalls zu wuenschen uebrig. Anstatt jedoch aufzugeben, wagen A Static Lullaby mit einem selbstbetitelten Album nun einen Neuanfang auf Fearless Records.
Fast schon bezeichnend war die Situation der Band nach dem Major-Einstand auf Columbia resp. Sony BMG: Nichts mehr schien von den Ideen, die man sich bei der Begruendung der Band auf die Fahnen geschrieben hatte, uebrig geblieben zu sein. Mit "A Static Lullaby" betritt man keine sonderlich neuen Wege, es handelt sich hierbei lediglich um eine Redirektion, jedoch eine ziemlich entscheidende. Nichts mehr mit Weichspueler-Pop, sondern harte, laermende Gitarren und ein Backgroundgesang, der sich immer wieder zur vordersten Front gesellt. In Anbetracht der Tatsache, dass A Static Lullaby nicht einmal zu 50% die sind, die noch "Faso Latido" eingespielt haben, hoeren sich die elf neuen Songs zur Verwunderung wohl aller mehr nach A Static Lullaby an als noch der Major-Vorgaenger. Dass man nach all den Geschehnissen viel zu erzaehlen haben wuerde, war ja zu erwarten, dass dies jedoch Ausloeser eines Kreativschubes sein wuerde, ist wohl eher ueberraschend.
"A Static Lullaby" ist rein musikalisch Schulter an Schulter mit dem bravouroesen "... And Dont Forget To Breathe". Die Band scheint sich die Frustration der letzten Jahre zu Nutze gemacht zu haben und spielt sich diese nun von der Seele. Fans von Alexisonfire, Underoath und Armor For Sleep werden an diesem Hardcore-Hitfeuerwerk ihre reinste Freude haben. Und so ist "A Static Lullaby" ein mehr als gelungener Wiedereinstieg. Die Platte ist vom ersten bis zum letzten Song ein loderndes Feuer. Unbedingte Empfehlung!

Persoenlicher Nachtrag:
Dies ist ein Testreview *g*
Will nur wissen, wer mit sowas ueberhaupt was anfangen kann. Bei entsprechendem Interesse...
Screamo ist eine der wenigen "harten" Genres, wo mich der cleane Gesang ueberhaupt nicht stoert, solange er einen brauchbaren Gegenpart besitzt. Und hier funktioniert das fuer meine Ohren hervorragend.

Meine Wertung: 8.5/10