OBSCUROS

DISCONNECT are a two-headed project of longtime musical collaborators. Brian Eschrich cares for the percussion work where Erich O'Dell is the multi-instrumentalist who brings his guitar, bass and keyboard skills in. Now they are seemingly bubbling over with ideas - 2010 has been a very productive year for them with an EP and two full albums as the result. 'Obscuros' is their current effort, shows them on a promising way where they blend eclectic, heavy rocking and mellow elements in their own unique way.

Well - a decision to start with 'What Else Is Left To Say?' would be a bit contra-productive in a literal sense, right? So I'll keep this locked until later. The album starts with The Visitor - a bit Rush influenced maybe - I liked the varied guitar work, sometimes even psychedelic tinged. A nice one - only the backing (female?!) vocals are irritating me around the six minute mark, dimminish my good feelings a bit. Never mind, the groovy Circadian Rhythms distracts me from that immediately due to this interesting jazzy/ethno percussion work right from the start.

The formidable instrumental title track then comes along with grooving sections and distinct King Crimson influences. Aggregate Waste is superficially reaching for mainstream territories, except the eclectic guitar interlude somewhere in between. K. G. indeed is reminding of Kevin Gilbert in some way - a lively song provided with esprit and an outro showing nice acoustic guitar and piano contributions. A Most Unpleasant Business works good too, inspired by Steven Wilson as well as provided with a straightforward rocking part.

On the extended What Else Is Left To Say? they take their time to let it flow - a mellow melodic start, charming electric piano. And then a switch to a strong metal attitude with heavy guitar riffs occurs for the first time. A tricky exemplar - changing time signatures - some Porcupine Tree reminiscences here - a symphonic touch there, when they come back to the relaxed starting point. And finally O'Dell adds nice guitar solos.

'Obscuros' holds heavy outfitted songs in the majority, decorated with well placed guitar riffs, melody, variety. They put prog basics with some mainstream rock elements together. An album which cannot shoot me down really, however a solid effort for sure. I wished to detect catchy elements bearing more remembrance, which bands like Rush and Porcupine Tree are able to deliver. And Erich's vocal impact is limited, an obvious issue to improve. All in all as for production and compositional attempt a promising affair though.