BLACK NOISE

FM is a Canadian band which (at this point in their career) consisted of Cameron Hawkins on vocals, keyboards, and bass, Nash "the Slash" on electric violin and mandolin, and Martin Deller on drums. The band is listed as Prog related, but Crossover Prog would probably be a much more fair categorization, at least as this debut album is concerned.

Black Noise is quite eclectic and sometimes even experimental, influenced by several sub-genres of progressive Rock (Symphonic Prog, Jazz-Rock/Fusion, Progressive Electronic) without sounding derivative. Comparisons with Rush are often made due to the band's country of origin and that both bands are trios, but musically a comparison with UK - particularly to their album Danger Money, when they too were reduced to a trio - would be much more appropriate, especially in virtue of the violin and synthesisers of Eddie Jobson. But comparisons to British Neo-Prog could also be made; Pallas' The Sentinel comes to mind.

Some songs on are quite catchy while others are more intense and complex, and yet others are more towards electronic soundscapes which function as instrumental interludes. Overall, Black Noise is a highly enjoyable album and a minor classic.

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