CLASSIC ROCK PRESENTS: PROGNOSIS 2

"Prognosis 2" was the free CD that came with the great new pricey prog magazine, that is both gaining respect and becoming maligned by the prog world, "Classic Rock Presents Prog". This CD is one of the best of the series featuring excellent prog talent providing a solid overall collection of the latest in the genre. If you load it onto a computer it has a flashy menu where if you click on an artist you are instantly transported into the respective websites.

This CD begins with a bang with a Dream Theater treasure, 'A Rite of Passage' from their superb "Black Clouds and Silver Linings". The first time I heard this I knew I would be getting this album and it is definitely one of the better tracks on the CD. The3 musicianship is nothing short of brilliant, Rudess is incredible, Petrucci is smoking and La Brie is a master on vocals. The rhythm section of Portnoy and Myung is another one of the reasons this is the number one prog metal band.

Touchstone are represented by 'Strange Days' which starts with a crunching angular guitar riff and lots of squeals lead to the metal riff. It chugs along and we hear the clean crystalline vocals oof Kim Seviour, reminding me of Epica or Within temptation. The chorus is 80s sounding but endearing enough. The lead break showcases some guitar skills. There are some male vocals too to compliment the sound and some ambient sections. A good track from "Wintercoast".

Also Eden's 'Skimming Stones' is next beginning with seagulls and the surf crashing, very ambient and atmospheric and then an acoustic guitar compliments the gentle vocals. It meanders along patiently and I longed for a bit more excitement after 3 minutes, and received a mild guitar solo. It doesn't really go anywhere and is perhaps one of the weaker tracks on the CD.

Astra are an awesome band and their album "The Weirding" is phantasmagoric psych symphonic rock in the same vein as Pink Floyd. 'The River Under' is the track here and it is a prime example of their style. This is another of those tracks that lured me to get the whole album and this is why these CDs are great in order to discover some of the great bands out there. 'The River Under' begins like a Floyd version of 'Careful With that Axe...' the low humming bass of Scalter keeps the rhythm as the mellotron sinks its fangs in to the murky waters. The vocals are different on this. A very strong melody throughout and a catchy chorus too. Astra have made an indelible mark in the prog music world with their debut with an unforgettable triumph. The mellotron takes front stage throughout and a very Pink Floyd like atmosphere is created including the vocal style and slow build up on each song. There are free form lengthy jams and musical virtuosity on every level. A real space rock album and one of the best prog albums in 2009.

Pictorial Wand's 'Face Of Our Fathers' follows from the same titled album and is not really a contender in comparison to the aforementioned tracks. It features gravelly vocals like Creed I guess, and it is a heavy sound with relentless guitar arpeggio picking and some female vocals to add to the mix. I was reminded of Evanescence or After Forever. This Norwegian band features Sorum on keys, guitars and orchestral parts.

Agah Bahari is an artist with strange King Crimson time sigs where there are definitive drop offs of beat and disquietening components such as the duel layered guitars with phased effects. The instrumental virtuoso performance is called 'Revolving Universe' and there is no doubt the space rock influences are here and this is an enjoyable romp particularly that off kilter rhythm. Another highlight for sure.

Haken are featured with 'Black Seed' and they are at first acoustic with melancholy vocals. The melody is downbeat but is stays with you. The time sig is unusual and there is a threatening atmosphere as if the track is going to move in an unexpected direction. It does at 3: 25 with a bell chiming and estranged vocals echoing like a cry of the spirit. The next verse has quite a different feel especially at 3:40. A mellotron drones with sustained pads and a clean piano and it ends with a similar tempo and melody. A great song and I am interested in hearing more from Haken.

The Treat's 'Anger Management' begins with a driving guitar riff that is more commercial in sound at first. The vocals are high octave range and there are infectious melodies and hooks. Not as prog as some of the other tracks here. At 3:15 a great riff locks in and a narrative voice over and it becomes more interesting at this point. It still didn't really impress me that much. The Treat have more to offer I feel and indeed they were also featured on "Prognosis 1".

IQ are one of the most celebrated neo-prog bands and judging from this track it is easy to see why. 'Ryker Skies' hails from the dynamic "Frequency" album that is blowing prog addicts away for sheer musicianship and melodic ambience. The vocals are well sung by Peter Nicholls. There are some incredible passages on this album and well worth getting hold of.

Sine Star Project's track 'Chinese Drag Queen' is a spacey free form track from "Building Humans" and it is melodic and gentle with many interesting musical interludes. It builds up at 3 mins in with scorching guitar and symphonic keyboard pads. Not too bad though not as dynamic as I prefer prog.

Aquaplanage were Fragile, a Yes tribute band, and now they have their own band and new self titled album. The track 'The Sands Of Time' is very much like the style of Yes but definitely original sounding Eastern at the beginning similar to Shakti. The song has a strong melody that is catchy and has some great lyrics. That eastern Indian feel is solid even incorporating Indian instruments and the lead guitar break is Indian in style creating a mystical atmosphere. The blend of instruments is remarkable and I would love to hear more from this band.

Gazpacho are well known in prog circles and here they are with 'Tick Tock Part III' from "Tick Tock". They are a 6 member Norwegian act and their album features a 22 minute epic, and I am all for that. This section of the track is rather heavy on keyboards and sporadic drumming style. There is an improvisational feel to it and very emotional singing. A wall of sound is created by multi layered keys and guitars and there are textures of light and dark, with musical tension and release throughout. I found it a bit low key for me but I would suspect this is only a taste of this track and the whole thing would be worth a listen.

Overall this CD is an excellent example of what is out there and provides a progalicious taste of the best of new prog. Loads of highlights and only a few lulls in quality, I would say this is one of the best Prognosis CDs. And I will repeatedly say in these reviews, if it makes you long for more or desire to get hold of the whole albums represented here, then the job is accomplished.