Fibonacci Sequence: Numerology

Numerology is the progressive rock instrumental debut from Milwaukee band Fibonacci Sequence. The band name may come from a numerological sequence that always start with 0,1 – however I'm pleased to say that this is one album that is most definitely not music by numbers. Comprising of Michael J. Butzen (guitars/mandolin), Thomas Ford (drums/percussion) and Jeffrey Schuelke (keyboards/piano), the trio add guest musicians in the shape of Chris Kringel who plays some wonderful fretless bass across almost the whole disc, Chad Burkholz (bass on "Missing In Time", the only song not to feature Kringel) and Elizabeth Grimm who adds violin to three songs.

Preferring a style of prog that dips a toe into prog metal territory, Fibonacci Sequence use the tougher edge that tag suggests to compliment an engaging and song based set of tracks that never needs lightning fast flurries to impress, but still contains them none the less, with the occasional blistering riff in evidence and more impressive time changes than you can shake a fretless bass at. Instead of being an excuse to show off, the musical dexterity of the trio is used to fill the space where vocals would often sit and it is a credit that (though I am partial to instrumental music) that not once is the lack of a voice an issue. Actually the absence of words allows the wonderfully frantic, yet melodic passages in the likes "Primrose Place", or "Faunus" more space in which to express themselves. Not surprisingly for an instrumental effort, the songs can be quite lengthy, but the variety between and within them is enough to hold the interest; however what I especially enjoyed, is the short mood altering tracks "Dawn" and "Illuminati" (the latter not even reaching a minute in length) that offer a simplistic, brief, yet entirely welcome breath of air between the grander songs. It is almost like cleansing one's palate between courses of a particularly rich meal. Of the longer tracks "Catlord" combines angular crashing riffs and pointed keyboard with sections that are almost light and airy in contrast and when the pumping fretless bass is added the effect is sharp and punchy. "Neap Tide" on the other hand is far more keyboard based, with runs up and down the keys being complimented by a gentler, yet equally effective guitar approach that when combined gives a faintly jazzy feel that is intentionally at odds with the meaty riffs that welcome the next song "Primrose Place".

"Neap Tide" is also available on a two track CD that the band released at the end of last year with a rather wonderful rearrangement of the John Hopkins Jnr "We Three Kings" song which is a well loved Christmas Carol. It is to the band's credit and also an illustration of their skill, that you instantly recognise the music in "We Three Kings", however somehow the song becomes a progressive work-out and is never twee in the slightest, as these adaptations can often become.

Fibonacci Sequence have put together an extremely intense and impressive album for their debut and one that suggests this is a band you will be hearing about for some considerable time to come.

Track Listing
1. Commencement
2. Neap Tide
3. Primrose Path
4. Dawn
5. Catlord
6. Illuminati
7. Work In Progress
8. Missing Time
9. Faunus
10. 10

Added: March 22nd 2011
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Band's MySpace Page
Hits: 7897
Language: english

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