Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius: Behind The Curtain-Live at Progstock

For any fan, this is going to be a very pleasing release. 2CD’s a DVD and Blu-Ray of Stratospheerius live from their 2019 and 2021 performances at Progstock. The only thing you might not be thrilled with is the unique packaging most likely won’t fit in your CD rack. If the review were to stop here, would be talking a 4 to 5 star review, kudos on giving the fans what they want.

I know nothing about the band other than leader Joe Deninzon is the new violin player in Kansas. In listening to the solo spots, the band sound like fine musicians, and I am sure Deninzon will impress when he is out on the road with Kansas. The band take on King Crimson’s “Frame by Frame�, and bring out Racheal Flowers for a version of Chick Corea’s “Spain�. Former member Alex Skolnick also joins the band onstage for a couple tunes. Unfortunately, as good as the band sound during their instrumental breaks, I find the only memorable songs here are the covers. That is not a good sign, as I much prefer to hear a bands original material and am usually not a fan of covers. But, once the music is off, the only things that stick in my head are their cover versions. It’s hard to put a finger on why, but that’s the nature of music, it is in the ear of the beholder. After a few listens, I came to the same conclusion that the songs just don’t reach me, no hooks, riffs or memorable melodies to latch onto. Their choruses are usually big with a lot of vocals, and this is where I would expect to get drawn in, but honestly, I get nothing.

I wish Deninzon the best with Kansas, and will be seeing them in the spring of 2024, and I am unsure of the status of Straospheerius, but I don’t see myself venturing further into their catalogue, if the energy from a live set didn’t reel me in, I can’t imagine the studio versions would offer something I haven’t heard already.

Track Listing
(Disc One �" 2019)
1. Behind The Curtain
2. Release
3. Imposter
4. Frame By Frame
5. Climbing
6. The Missing Link
7. Gods
8. Game of Chicken
9. The Prism

(Disc Two �" 2021)
1. Take Your Medicine
2. Cognitive Dissonance
3. Storm Surge
4. Spain
5. Hysteria
6. Heavy Shtettle
7. One Foot In The Next World

(DVD / Blu-Ray)
1. Introduction
2. Behind The Curtain
3. Release
4. Imposter
5. Frame By Frame
6. Climbing
7. The Missing Link
8. Gods
9. Game of Chicken
10. The Prism
11. Take Your Medicine
12. Cognitive Dissonance
13. Storm Surge
14. Spain
15. Hysteria
16. Heavy Shtettle
17. One Foot In The Next World

Added: November 14th 2023
Reviewer: Eric Porter
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 236
Language: english

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