NATURAL ELEMENTS

I really liked this album from the very first listen. This trio from New York do have a RUSH flavour to their music, and I wouldn't have been surprised to see this listed under Heavy-Prog. There are no keyboards but there is synth-guitar which adds another dimension to their sound.

"Prayer For Peace" starts with a nice drum intro as vocals and grinding guitar follow.There's a good heavy sound to this with chunky bass a minute in followed by a ripping guitar solo. Vocals return before 3 minutes. "Circus, Cicus" is an uplifting track, much brighter than the first one. The guitar grinds away 2 minutes in when the vocals stop, some excellent deep bass lines as well. I'm reminded of MAX WEBSTER at times with some of the guitar leads. "The Natural Element Suite" is up next beginning with "Prelude". This starts with synth-guitar as other sounds come and go (quite spacey). That changes before 2 minutes as a fairly heavy soundscape takes over. Love the bass and guitar lines.The drumming is impressive 3 minutes in. The guitar starts to rip it up 4 minutes in as bass throbs. "Air" is laid back to begin with until 1 1/2 minutes in when it kicks into gear. Nice. Mellow again as this contrast continues. Love this tune. The guitar is outstanding when it returns before 6 1/2 minutes. "Earth" is spacey to open before becoming a solid, mid-paced song. Nice instrumental section 3 minutes in with fat bass. Guitar solo after 4 minutes.

"Fire" has a killer intro. Heavy with chunky bass and I really like the guitar tone. Vocals a minute in. Check out the extended guitar solo 4 minutes in. "Water" is another top 3 track for me. Love the deep bass and heavy soundscape a minute in. Vocals follow. Fantastic tune. "Gladiator" is an instrumental that opens with heavy drums and synth-guitar. The guitar after a minute reminds me of Howe. This has an epic quality to it until the heavy guitar takes over 3 minutes in. The drumming is incredible, and the sound is amazing after 4 1/2 minutes. Almost SABBATH-like sounding guitar at this point. More synth-guitar before 6 minutes as heaviness continues. Another top 3 for me. "InterMOEzzo (for Moe)" is a short instrumental of restrained guitar melodies. "Priority One" is the 15 minute closer. Again it becomes heavy quickly, then even heavier 2 minutes in as vocals arrive. Great lyrics. A change 6 1/2 minutes in as it lightens. the lighter and heavy passages are contrasted until heaviness takes over 9 minutes in. Great guitar. Thunderous drums 12 minutes in. Vocals are back 13 1/2 minutes in.

This is a must for Heavy-prog fans out there.