Various Artists: PROG Around The World

Put together by Peter Morticelli and Mike Varney, New York based Magna Carta Records have been championing progressive music from around the world since 1989 and in that time have attracted more than one or two of the genres finest to contribute on their releases, most notably Tony Levin, Dug Pinnick and various members of Dream Theater.

PROG Around The World is an opportunity for the label to showcase its current crop of progressive acts from across the globe and a fine eclectic mix it is too. There's everything from traditional 70's inspired prog, to floaty crusty meanderings, or technical musical workouts to proto type prog metal. Pretty much if you are a fan of prog, there's something here to interest you.

My own personal favourite track on the disc is "Elevation" by The Hideous Sun Demons who feature the one time David Lee Roth backing band of guitarist Toshi Hiketa, drummer Ray Luzier and bassist of everyone from White Lion to the afore mentioned DLR James Lomenzo. Somehow they mix a total guitar shred blow out with the pizzazz of their old front man and especially considering that it's an instrumental there's a huge amount of charisma to the song and on the strength of it this is one album I've added to my must buy list.

Other highlights include, Deridian who provide a classically inspired and uplifting track full of prog metal drama and musical interplay with vocalist Joe Caggianelli mixing a deep power with grace and precision. With its mini piano concertos this is not for the feint hearted, but is most intriguing indeed.

Israeli Ethan Brosh mixes heavy guitars and Vicious Rumors style lead breaks with a bright Eastern flavour to create a majestic instrumental that is beautiful and brutal in equal measures.

Also on top of their game is Anthropia who's "Lion-Snake" is crammed with a huge evil atmosphere and some tremendous vocal arrangements that jostle with the mighty guitars and keyboards for supremacy before deciding that a coalition is the way to power. It the best example of mixing light with dark to produce a cohesive musical narrative track on the disc. Very good indeed.

Ola Frenning and Christopher Malmstrom mix some power shredding guitars to a little bluesy soloing to produce the fastest most frenetic six string display, it's impressive, but a little soulless for my taste. Martone and Stripsearch are the other two acts most likely to win the most notes a minute prize, however their brands of guitar histrionics are remarkably different from each other. Martone uses some excellent harmonics to make a powerful yet subtle statement, whilst Stripsearch have an altogether more fuzzy, indie feel and add some fusion breakdowns for good measure.

Most likely the best known act on the disc Liquid Trio Experiment unfortunately prove to be one of the few let downs, Jordan Rudess and Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater team up once again with bass maestro Tony Levin, however they produce what amounts to little more than a sub standard ELP rip off that just wallows in self indulgence and never actually makes it's point. Also failing to impress are the UK's Ozric Tentacles, their floaty drugged out flute infused sound is decent enough, however it's all just a bit too lifeless and dull, and anyone who has encountered this band before will know exactly what to expect as it sounds like a carbon copy of so many of their own songs.

If the Dream Theater school of progressive metal is more your bag then there's three bands that should interest you. Khalice, Age Of Nemesis and Lemur Voice all use that tried and tested DT plan. Of the three, Age Of Nemesis are most blatant with their homage to the genre leaders meaning that it's hard to tell the difference between them. Khalice and Lemur Voice are happier using Theater as inspiration and adding their own little twists and turns and to very good effect indeed.

As mentioned earlier, there really is something for any progressive music fan on this compilation and for most there are quite a few little gems to unearth here. Magna Carta deserve a huge amount of credit for the quality progressive releases that have seen the light of day through their label and PROG Around The World is a superb way to discover some of them.

Track list:
1) Moron Face – Martone
2) Another Existence – Age Of Nemesis
3) Holes – Liquid Trio Experiment
4) I Don't Wanna Die – Derdian
5) Ancient Land – Ethan Brosh
6) Intuition – Lemur Voice
7) Armchair Journey – Ozric Tentacles
8) Spiritual Jewel – Khallice
9) El Terrible – Stripsearch
10) Elevation – The Hideous Sun Demons
11) Lion-Snake – Anthropia
12) Hydra – Ola Frenning & Christofer Malmstrom

Added: November 2nd 2009
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Magna Carta Records
Hits: 1847
Language: english

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