Ten Point Ten (97), Cartography (00), Eleven (03), 12 25 (03)
Ten Point Ten is a fairly popular band that made a name for itself playing proggy Christmas instrumentals. There is more to them than that though, with four albums under their belt, and they are well worth discovering. The band features Bill Hubauer on guitar and keyboards, and his tasteful playing grabs the listener right off. Other band members include Jimmy Tanner on drums, Joey McGee on vocals, and Jim Scobel and C. Scott Gilbert on bass/ Ten Point Ten has a standout track on the CPR Volume 1 compilation CD, The River. For more information on Ten Point Ten, check out their website. {dt}
Tears to Dust
This band is best described as melodic progressive metal. They started out as a
secular band and one of the members became a Christian after somebody gave him a
Tourniquet tape. Then the "Seed" spread throughout the rest of the members
and lo and behold they start playing righteous rock. Tears was released through
Steve Rowe's (Mortificaton) label, so the production it very good. The songs are
well crafted and fresh even for heavy metal. The vocalist is quite good - a cross
between Geoff Tate (Queensryche) and James Labrie (Dream Theater) - soulful, yet powerful.
This Dean Wells cat has it going on. His guitar tone is fabulous - being crunchy and
heavy yet remaining smooth at the same time. Playing-wise he has excellent riffs and
skillful solos. The drums are all over the place. Just listening to the drums
alone is enough to keep your mind occupied and boggled. If you are into this type of
music, DO NOT MISS THIS RELEASE! {Ken Vaughn}
Tetelestai was a legendary progressive rock band from Baltimore that fused the creative elements of early 70's bands such as Genesis and Gentle Giant with Jesus music spiritual overtones. Not a rock band with progressive leanings, but the real stuff, complete with long instrumental interludes. The songs I downloaded remind me most of the late 70's/early 80's American prog band Ethos. Their Crazy Song lives up to its name. Finding something on vinyl or CD is the chore, but band members are resurfacing with some mp3's available from http://www.mp3.com and you can find links to their lyrics (which are cool) at http://ambientarts.com and mp3's from the prog band they became later (Return From Exile) at http://www.mp3.com/return_from_exile Happy hunting. I will certainly post it here if I get a source for the CD. {dt}
Theophonic Cloud
Theophonic Cloud is an up and coming band from Alaska and Montana that had a song, Dry Bones, featured on the CPR Volume 1 compilation CD as well as another featured on Dave Bainbridge of Iona's Songs For Luca 2 compilation CD. The band mixes heavy 70's-Yes influenced bass with synthesizers and ethereal female vocals. You can find out more information about the band at their Myspace site and here on their website.
Tiles
Tiles (94);
Fence the Clear (97); Presents of Mind
Ok, I finally jumped on the Tiles bandwagon three years late. But it's not like I get all these CD's I review sent to me for free, and I have three kids to feed. A progressive hard rock power trio in the spirit of Rush while not sounding much like Rush, despite being produced by longtime Rush produce Terry Brown and having an album cover by longtime Rush cover artist Hugh Syme. Tiles has all the chops of the prog-metal giants, plus great songwriting and memorable hooks. It's no surprise that they held their own when they toured with Dream Theater a few years back. Not overtly spiritual, Tiles manages to portray a solidly upbeat message in their lyrics. The instrumental jam called The Ballad of the Sacred Cows is worth the price of admission. It's nice to see some talented musicians are out there creating quality, original progressive music and getting it out there to the masses. I just wish I could have afforded Presents of Mind three years ago. {dt}
This talented prog rock outfit from Canada is back with another creative release. The artwork of the album is brilliant, featuring a brain flying across desert sands with a bow tied around it. The back cover shows a beat up DPS shipment with "organ donor" stickers all over it, then the back of the CD booklet shows a view of the contents from the top -- a large brain. The music inside is fairly similar to the melodic moments of Dream Theater, thanks in part to the fine vocals of Paul Rarick. The lyrics are very thoughtful and thought-provoking. Not an evangelistic band, per se, these guys get into some interesting subjects, like justice and truth ("Reasonable Doubt"). They are currently on tour with Dream Theater. For ordering info on either disc or his compilation video -- Love Enough, write: Magna Carta, 208 East 51st St #1820, New York NY 10022 (info courtes of HM)
Time Horizon (USA - CA)
Tasty up and coming keyboard driven Christian prog band has a song Life Fantastic on CPR Volume 3. For fans of old school Kansas. See http://www.myspace.com/timehorizonmusic
Titus (South Africa)
Fade (01)
This talented Christian progressive metal band is one of the few from that genre (besides King's X, Galactic Cowboys, and Dream Theater) that I actually find listenable. Lots of heavy, rich keyboard layers, tasteful crunchiness to the guitars, and a vocalist that can really sing and seldom screeches, add up to a winning combo. Their debut album has finally come out, although the lead guitarist and possibly the vocalist have since departed. The main influences for this band, besides Dream Theater, seem to be Pain of Salvation and Fates Warning. Lyrics are unabashedly Christian, and from what I have heard, Titus may certainly lead the pack in the sparse Christian prog-metal genre. Mp3's are available to sample on their web page at http://www.titus.f2s.com . I'm not quite sure how to obtain their newly released CD, however. {dt}
Just Talking About the Universe...So Far; The Foolishness
of God (01)
There are so few progressive metal bands in the Christian music scene, so it is quite daring to come out with such a release. This is definetly in the early Queensryche mode in terms of approach to sound and vocals, which is quite a lofty goal. The songwriting is more similar to Yes and they come up with some very interesting arrangements. This is the strength of the band - it is quite intricate and creative. I can't find a single formula in their arrangements - it is very fresh. The transitions in the time and signature changes are seamless!! The lyrics are directly about life in Christendom and are, thankfully, devoid of 'cliche'. The vocals are sometimes high and squealy, but they get the job done. What is impressive about the vocals are that the overlays are quite complex and there is quite a bit of variance in melody of the vocal verses. I commend them on this. The drawback of the album is, of course, the production, since they aren't going to get a whole lot of funding for a project like this and it is their first release. Also, the drumming could be tighter and a little more synchopated with the music. So what I see in this release is a TON of potential. I sincerely look forward to their next release, which, from what I heard from the band, should be out the beginning of Y2K. They also said the recording process has been "painstakingly long," since it has been over two years, so they are definetly putting an effort into making their next release a force on the prog metal scene. {Ken Vaughn}
Torman Maxt's new CD The Foolishness of God is out and now shipping. The first album by them, Just Talking About the Universe So Far, was so-so, but never really grabbed me. Musically, it had some interesting stuff, but the vocals kind of annoyed me (which is true of a lot of prog-metal). Ok, so I have never been a huge fan of the genre. I admit I liked Dream Theater's Images and Words when it came out, although I preferred the instrumental interludes to Labrie's operatic vocals. And King's X has been a staple since Gretchen came out (although their later albums are less meaningful since Doug 'came out'). But Doug (and Ty) can SING! And well, the Galactic Cowboys hold a special place in my heart, although I don't spin them much anymore. But apart from that, I pretty much steer clear of the genre. Which brings me back to the brand spankin' new Torman Maxt CD, The Foolishness of God. If you like original sounding prog metal with a solid gospel message (it's basically one long apologetic) - don't even hesitate. If you like classic prog, and hate metal, you may still dig it. I do. The title track is some epic stuff. This album rocks. And it progs. And the lyrics are GOOD. And its creative. It meanders slowly, then builds. It has melodies. It shreds like a jackhammer in places. Then it hits you over the head with God. In a good way. I am really surprised that these guys aren't on a major label. The vocalist sort of sounds like Ozzy in some places, but then sings cleanly in others. It works. In fact, the vocal harmonies and hooky melodies are quite cool. I really like the way they mix up clean guitar sounds with the heavy interludes. It doesn't sound like Rush, or Queensryche, or Dream Theater, or Yes. But if you like those bands, you'll probably dig Torman Maxt. 'Nuf said. To pick up a copy or listen to sound samples, go to their website at: http://www.tormanmaxt.com/ {dt}
Crawl to China (97)
Without discretion, and little knowledge, one might mistake this album (and the group as well) as little more than a typical heavy metal band with Jesus thrown in the lyrics to make it 'Christian'. Forget that - this album is deep, intelligent and these guy are raising the bar for all rocking artists. First off, this group is a trio, although it hasn't always been that way. That doesn't mean they have less talent, but rather that they are a harder working band. Think of all the trios in rock that have changed the industry that we know now: The Crickets, Creem, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Glass Harp, and Grand Funk - all legends. Not to say Tourniquet will be a legend, only time will tell that. Crawl to China is a very creative album. From it's song titles, like 'Claustrospelunker,' 'Stumblefoot,' and 'Enveloped in a Python,' to subjects chosen like 'fear,' 'sin conviction,' and 'taking people's word for things (like buying a car).' But does it have what it takes to be labeled progressive? I think it does, while it is still a heavy metal album the group uses various instruments, such as pipes, banjo, and acoustic guitar. There is also some Islamic chant on the song 'Enveloped in a Python' and a little jazz intro to 'Claustrospelunker.' I love the mental pictures created by the songs comparisons to things, such as an allusion to Poe's 'The Tell-Tale Heart' to show sin conviction. Then they compare owning a Python to playing with danger or sin. I know more progressive music exists out there, but I think of Tourniquet as a Prog Rock band in it early stages. If you heard them in the 80's, don't judge them by that (it was almost literally a different band). This group is heading in a progressive direction. You'll need to this hear this album to see what I mean, but I doubt you'll be disappointed. {Rob Bartlett}
SMPTe (00); Bridge Across Forever (01)
A supergroup made up of The Flower King's Roine Stolt, Neal Morse of Spock's Beard, Pete Trewavas of Marillion, and Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater. With a line-up like that, you can expect some epic progressive virtuosity, and these guys deliver. Twenty plus minute suites abound, and the musicians flex their musical muscles without being too pompous. With Morse and Stolt writing most of the lyrics, there are some excellent spiritually driven songs, especially on Bridge Across Forever. Duel With the Devil is one example, an epic about the spiritual battles we all face. Part II of Suite Charotte Pike, Mr. Wonderful, sounds like a praise chorus:
"His Name is Wonderful, and its wonderful, just to be near him.
His name is Majesty, and his Majesty's requesting your presence.."
Run down and pick this classic up, and awaken the 'Stranger in your Soul." [dt}
I am of the opinion that Spock's Beard, Dream Theater, and the
Flower Kings are among the best that today's prog scene has to offer. When I heard that
major players from each band had gotten together to form a prog band as a side project, I
was chompin' at the bit to get a copy of their first release
"SMPTe". The recording is superb and the production is right on, but the sum of
the parts didn't add up to my expectations. It's a good prog album, but anyone familiar
with SB, DT, FK, and Marillion will tell you that the influences from each member don't
gel. It sounds like four guys recording
songs separately in four or more studios and exchanging tapes to add their respective
parts (which is exactly how they recorded it). Last year, the boys got together for a tour
and released a live album. In
addition to songs from their first album, they did a pretty cool medley of songs from each
of their respective bands as well as some Genesis and Beatles covers. A truly great live
prog album from four great players who were obviously having a wonderful time - I highly
recommend it. Transatlantic also found some time to produce their sophomore release
"Bridge Across Forever" in 2001. This album is pure prog heaven! The Christian
influences are there, the performances are amazing, and these guys are having a wonderful
time! Two of the four songs clock in at over 25 minutes apiece and are what a fan would
expect from Morse and Stolt - melodic symphonic prog that kicks butt. Song #2 is a jam
complete with mistakes and members yelling out pattern changes. I don't know if the lyrics
were an afterthought, but one of the choruses proclaims Morse's new found salvation:
"His name is Wonderful, And it's wonderful just to be near Him / His name is Majesty,
And his Majesty's requesting your presence". The title cut is a simple song by Morse
with a credit to Prince with piano, strings and synths that is absolutly gorgeous. I
haven't been this blown away with an album. since "Selling England By the Pound"
and "Close to the Edge". I can't recommend this CD enough! {Doug Bowers}
Trespass (Jerusalem, Israel)
In Haze of Time (02)
Remember back in your youth, back in the 70's when you heard a certain progressive band who's incredible virtuoso keyboard player absolutely blew your mind? The first time you heard Emerson, Wakeman, Moraz, or Rick Van Der Linden, you sat up straight in your chair, and said, "Who the heck is that?!" Well, now there is a new name to add to that list: Gil Stein. He is a one man wrecking crew, absolutely kicking the crap out of his keyboards, and his band Trespass is surely a 21st Century prog band to be reckoned with. Apparently Stein grew up totally ignorant of his progressive god-fathers, and developed his own incredible jazz/baroque/prog style independently, not hearing a single prog album until after this record was finished. This album is a tour-de-force musically, hardly stopping to catch it's breath as it rips from one song to the next over its 44 minute length.
Playing some guitar, recorders, and singing as well as penning their lyrics, Stein teams up with Roy Bar-tour on bass and Gabriel Weissman on the frenetic drums. The rhythm section is quite tight, effortlessly keeping up with Stein's unabashed musical exuberance as he pounds away in gleeful abandon. Trespass reminds me most of an obscure 70's band I love, Trace, and their self-titled first album, with it's full onslaught of finger-flying ivory jams. Stein sings in English, and his voice isn't unpleasant. The only area that Stein doesn't fully impress is in his lyric writing, which are fairly lame. The band is from Israel, so perhaps some of it can be excused due to language barriers. The themes range from sexual predators on Creatures of the Night, with lines like "You were dressed for sexual war", one-night-stands ("I'm in the mood to love you baby, all night long.." from City Lights), to a true longing for spiritual redemption in the excellent title track, which starts off:
And the time heals my sorrows
And the things which I can't follow
So take me God, empty as I am
And guide my soul through your mercy lake
Fortunately, the vocal parts are sparse, and it's the incredible instrumental parts that stand out, making this an album truly worth seeking out. Let's hope more bands this talented spring up on the new progressive rock scene. Trespass is a winner. You can find them at The Artist's Shop http://www.artist-shop.com/musea/ (dt)
Tr3nity (UK)
Cold Light of Darkness (02); Precious Seconds (04)
Tr3nity – Precious Seconds (Reviewed 3/29/04 by DT)
One of the best of the new English prog bands, Tr3nity consists of Paul Gath on keyboards, Rob Davenport on guitars and bass, Chris Campbell on vocals, Rolf Smith on drums, and Graham Lane on bass and fretless bass. Their second album, aptly named Precious Seconds, is now available from Cyclops Records. It’s a wonderful record, full of emotion, haunting melodies, and tasteful virtuosity. Although it took me a few listens to catch on, the album appears to be a concept album about a marriage on the rocks, and how we need to make the most of our lives, taking advantage of the opportunities God has given to us.
The CD consists of five long songs, none under ten minutes, yet there isn't much filler. Each and every song is well crafted and melodious, a journey worth exploring. The first tune, Living a Lie, builds nicely with a long instrumental intro, over half the length of the song. It is accentuated by tasteful, soaring electric guitar, and a short section of background voices depicting a relationship going sour, with a woman voicing her displeasure at unfulfilled expectations. Once the songs kicks into gear, it becomes a rocker with lyrics depicting a man tortured by bad choices and addictions, realizing he is living a lie, falling from God’s grace.
The next tune, a driving, progressive dynamo titled Run Before You Walk, is a song about not counting the cost of what it takes to win the race of life. The song really highlights Gath’s tremendous keyboard talents.
Next up, From Afar, slows down a bit into the pastoral English prog mode a bit, with a Camel-esque, melancholy feel. The lyrics reinforce the musical mood:
From afar you stand, wind blows by, hero’s return, saviour’s cry
From afar you are, rainy day, dark clouds roll away, from afar..
The song speaks of longing, distance and separation in the relationship, and perhaps parallels a distance felt between the writer and God.
More Than I Deserve is up next, and it starts off a bit poppy, and Coldplay-like, with a piano-based melody and simple chorus of “Have faith in me,” a cry to believe in the restoration of the relationship. The song eventually left turns into more progressive territory musically with a long instrumental interlude featuring another tasteful, lyrical guitar solo by Rob Davenport. Once again the sound bites of an unhappy wife meander in at the end, giving the album the album continuity. As accessible as the song is, nearly single material, the ten minute length should keep it off most radio play lists.
Tr3nity saves its best for last on Precious Seconds. The 20-minute epic, The Last Great Climb, is a wonderfully complex tune, featuring memorable recurring musical themes, potent lyrics about life and death, Crosby, Stills and Nash-type vocal harmonies, an ass-kicking driving bass line, and a Genesis Cinema Show-like instrumental finale. The story follows a man walking out of his door for the last time, to climb Mount Zion, so to speak, the place of death and life, leaving behind all he holds dear yet finding paradise. The message is that we don’t know what’s in store for us in the future, as we walk and live under God’s law, so make the most of the time you have.
Tr3nity has crafted one of those artful albums that may take a few listens to really get into, but time invested pays off in a big way. It has all the elements in place that set it apart from you basic run-of-the-mill prog. The musicianship is superb, understated and tasteful, but showing off well-honed chops when necessary. The songs are deep and introspective. The subject matter of relational struggles is such that most if not all listeners can relate to it. And finally, these guys flat out know how to write good songs, so you are going to keep it in the player because, frankly, it’s just plain good. So far this is my favorite release of 2004. {dt}
Tr3nity's first release, The Cold Light of Darkness, is influenced by the greats like Genesis and Floyd, although they very much have a sound of their own. The keyboard playing of Paul Gath, which is typically quite upfront in the mix, is reminiscent of the late Peter Barden's playing in early Camel. The Cold Light of Darkness is a concept album that tells of the horrible impact of child abuse. The CD was written by Paul Gath and Rob Davenport, who are both practicing Christians at Christ Church in Basingstoke. I've only heard the sound clips on this one, but they are very impressive. These guys are good. The CD is now on general release, through Pinnacle in the UK and Griffin in the US (CYCLOPS CYCL 111). {dt}
Check Tr3nity out at: http://www.tr3nity.co.uk Their music is also available at the following record retailers for those in the U.S.: http://www.amazon.com/ http://pendragonusa.com/pencds.htm http://www,cdnow.com/
Trinity FSG (USA - DE)
The Valley of Dry Bones
Trinity is an independent, guitar heavy American classic rock power trio with progressive leanings that sing unabashedly about Jesus Christ. While the record suffers from some production quality issues, these earnest believers know how to rock. Standout tracks are Day of Reckoning and The Garden Road. If you enjoy heavy prog and prog metal with simplistic, in-your-face evangelistic Christian lyrics, Trinity FSG is worth checking out. If you are looking for crisp production, poetic lyrics, and something fresh musically, you may well be disappointed with this band. For more information, go to Silent Planet. {dt}
Trytan
Celestial Messnger (87)
I have the lp of this Rush-like classic CCM album which Rad Rockers (http://www.radrockers.com) is now re-releasing on CD with bonus tracks. Trytan is definitely a Rush wannabe band, although they lack the chops and the progressiveness of the original. I haven't really heard it in years, but didn't like it much back then (if I wanted Rush, I would put on Moving Pictures or Hemispheres), although it works OK for the die hard Rush fan that wants a Christian world view instead of Neil Peart's agnosticism. I will write a real review when I can excavate the vinyl and give it a real listen.
Smiling At Grief; Fact & Fiction; Live and Let Live;
Collector's Item
A very popular neo-progressive band, TN rode the Genesis style wave with Marillion into popularity in England in the 80's. With the passionate Reverend Geoff Mann on board singing his delightful lyrics, TN certainly counts as one of the best real prog bands out there with Christian flavored lyrics (I say flavored, because Geoff was the only believer, and they made him tone it down to subtlety and allegory, although he gets his message across). Fact and Fiction is a prog classic, and the rest are live and compilation albums. Collector's Item, a "best-of," is worth it for the only-released-here 20-minute prog epic title track, and it's a great intro to the band. Smiling at Grief is some early demo and live stuff that was recently released. Live and Let Live is a smashing live album with lots of energy that really shows off Geoff's charisma. They have several other albums that Geoff was not on, so I did not include those. Here is the official Twelfth Night website, The Collector: http://www.twelfthnight.info
There is another web site located at: http://www.compulink.co.uk/~voyage-34/12night.html. Live and Let Live is available for sale through Pendragon Merchandising, USA: http://www.pendragonusa.com. Also be sure to check out all of Geoff Mann's more blatantly Christian solo stuff, and his cool prog concept album project with Clive Nolan of Pendragon called Casino. {dt}
Twin Fusion (North Carolina)
Active and talented Christian progressive metal band, stylistically falling somewhere between Kansas and Europe (the bands). They list Kerry Livgren as a major influence. Sample their music at: http://www.myspace.com/twinfusionband