42

We know that the combination of rock with jazz is very fruitful and rich, resulting on the Jazz-rock Fusion genre. And that the amalgama of Free-jazz and rock (which eventually can also take elements of chamber music, twelve-tone music and other contemporary complex musical tendencies) generate a group of works designed as Avant-prog. Well, there's this more unusual partnership, of Free-jazz with Prog-metal, and this record is a fine example. When I decided to hear it, my expectations were totally different from the reality. Because of the title of the tracks, "Opus 24", "Opus 19", and so on, I thought my perceptions would receive something pretensious, that wanted to be compared, or elevated, to classical music. Or I'd get maybe something toward symphonic prog. Fortunantely, although because I didn't previously read any review(s) about this release, my prejudice was way wrong! And how genius is this choice on the tracks titles: on one hand, it returns the word 'opus' to its more ancient meaning, the product of a specific labor. On the other hand, characterizes a contrast between their style and classical music. Besides, such proposal keeps hidden any information regarding what inspired or influenced the songs, as well as the interests and values ​​of the composer(s). Along with the fact that all songs are totally instrumental, it's up to the listener to imagine whatever he wants about each song.

The key signatures and harmonies are almost always surprising and inovative. It's incredible how this amount of diversity on these topics can nonetheless be so fluid and capable of being absorbed by the listener without much effort. Distorted guitar, bass and drums are the main axis of the compositions. There are no ups and downs on the quality of the musicianship, making this a very cohesive and robust work. Another amazing feature is the ability to sustain a very firm intensity from the beggining to the end of the album.

However, it's not everything perfect: two elements stop me from giving a perfect rating. One, the arrangements are way below the diversity and quality of the harmonies. Two, there's plenty of piano, with excellent tunes, but this instrument is too much shadowed by the guitar and drums. I'd add a third critic, the bass playing, because it doesn't cacth up the high level of the other musicians; but, once again, they made a wise choice of letting the bass less proeminent on the songs, which is a good compensation for this less-strong-part.

This opus is recommended for those who appreciate Prog metal but is willing to hear something more audacious, and/or more complex, and/or more singular. Or for admirers of RIO/Avant-prog that wants to listen to something more heavier.

To decide for my assessment, on a scale of 0 to 10, I considered the following aspects: Technique - 9. Arrangements - 6. Compositions - 8,5. Artistic Sense - 9,5. Innovation - 10.

Final rating 4,3 on a five-star scale.

Social review comments

Review related links

• Send comments to arymenezes
• Report this review (#3156159)
• Buy CTHULHU RISE music online with PA partners
• Show all CTHULHU RISE MP3/Stream
• Go to CTHULHU RISE page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to 42 page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for CTHULHU RISE related discussions