MOONSHINE BLAST

Steven Wilson-like music from France. These guys are young! Genius move to enlist the injection of experience and virtuosity from seasoned veterans Colin Edwin and Pat Mastelotto.

1. "Realm of Possibilities" (4:00) A great opener; a song that really prepares the listener for the kind of styles and quality sound that this album is all about. There is a cool RIVERSIDE feel to this music--and to the engineering and production--and yet there are hints at other important bands as well. (9.3333/10)

2. "Cruel Immission" (7:32) background atmospherics open this one before acoustic guitars establish a gentler, more sensitive LUNATIC SOUL-like approach to this one. Once Nicolas Duke enters with his singing voice the song becomes pure STEVEN WILSON--very much deserving to fit in among SW's great Hand. Cannot. Erase. album. I particularly love the spread out spaciousness of the instrumental and sound palette here--even in the middle instrumental section where the number and type of instruments thicken the sonic field there is still an easy separation over the atmospheric background. Nicolas' more-aggressive "metal" style singing voice is employed for the song's heavier second half. He's good! It's powerful! It works! (14/15)

3. "Only You" (3:44) opens like a grungy TOOL-like "pop" song (a stylistic thing Steven Wilson was fond of doing in his Porcupine Tree years). The catchy, melodic chorus definitely confirms that this could be intended as a radio-play-oriented song. Solid, well -constructed and -performed. (9/10)

4. "No Exit" (5:47) another opening that is almost lifted straight from a few SW/PT songs: guitar notes and close-whispered singing voice. Eventually drums and all kinds of incidental keyboard-generated sounds are thrown into the soundscape until 2:25 when the chorus leaps off the ground into your ears to worm its way into permanent residence. The second "verse" section also borrows from SW with the "mega-phone"-treated vocal, but then we're back into that AMAZING chorus! You've got me wrapped around your little finger! (So like Steven Wilson!) The little synth-solo in the trite little instrumental section at the end is almost a footnote. (9.5/10)

5. "Liquid Feels I" (3:52) with all of these Steven Wilson references I find myself reminded of two things: 1) what a genius Steven Wilson is and 2) how much I like that 2010-2015 period of Steven's discography. The deep bass play on this one is cool as are the idiosyncratic (and restrained) drums. Like something from The Raven That Refused to Sing with a little of TOOL/Maynard James Keenan's theatricity. (9/10)

6. "Liquid Feels II" (4:30) the TOOLish instrumental follow-up to Part I. I like the jazzier motif in the third minute the best. Is that a ChapmanStick performing the bass parts? The heavier, more distorted sound of the fourth minute is not as pleasing, but they come out of it for the finish, which is nice. (8.875/10)

7. "Broken Arrow" (5:41) this one feels like a classic PETER GABRIEL song like "Digging in the Dirt" (especially the vocal) only with a little heavier instrumental palette for the foundational fabric. A little STYX-like keyboard work in the final section makes it interesting. Somehow this song just doesn't feel "finished" or "hear-felt." (8.75/10)

8. "Strangled" (4:02) like a heavier, more forceful SW song. A little too monochromatic and simple to garner any awards or accolades. I think this is one of those songs that are quite dependent on the lyrical message being delivered. (8.75/10)

9. "Fractal" (7:55) another song that sounds as if it could come directly off of one of Steven Wilson's early solo albums--Grace for Drowning or The Raven That Refused to Sing. Some nice synth soloing in the fourth minute feels as if it needs something else from the music--a shift of some sort, even a subtle one. Suddenly, in the second half of the same fourth minute the music as a whole takes a left turn down a path of cautious, secretiveness. It's very interesting, engaging, and well-constructed: good solid entertainment. Nicolas returns to singing in the seventh minute as the quirky-jerky weave of syncopated instrumental lines beneath him slowly, subtly intensify all the way to the end of the song. Nice vocal performance--especially in that intense finish. (13.375/15)

10. "Under Control" (6:23) modern yet somehow rooted in some 1980s New Wave effects. Interesting! Even the way Nicolas' voice is reverbed harkens back to some kind of 1980s Talk Talk-Mark Hollis sound. I'm not complaining, just remarking! I like hearing this "cover" of a Talk Talk sound! In the middle of the fourth minute the song shifts a few times: whispered vocals, "Tainted Love"inspired instrumental work, just a beautiful master class in blending multifarious and subtle elements and sounds from classic 1980s songs! Very, very cool! If the melodies and words a little more compelling this would be a great song. As it is it's still a song that I look forward to hearing a lot in the future! (9.25/10)

11. "The Cell" (16:02) NO! You're not going to "Perfect Life" for source material, are you? (Or is it "Routine"?) It's so well done and yet it's almost too much! The elements and qualities similar to RIVERSIDE also come shining through the further we get into the song, but the unrelenting cruise control speed exhibited from the rhythm track is more akin to some of Steven's longer tunes (as well as Pink Floyd's "tribute to Disco" "Run Like Hell"). Even when the four-chord vamp is reconstituted into "symphonic" synthesizer form for the thirteenth and fourteenth minutes it retains the same insistent forward momentum. It's well done though almost one dimensional and, again, a little too imitative of other artists' works. (26.375/30)

12. "When the Wind Blows" (6:00) why not end the album with yet one more Steven Wilson-styled song--this one feeling quite similar to the album's song #4, "No Exit," only a more acoustic version (including brushed drums and fairly untreated-multi-voice vocals). Mellotron joins the soundscape in the fourth minute, pulling the song toward another era of music, but Nicolas "SW" Duke remains true to his imitation of his 21st Century hero right to the end. (8.75/10)

Total Time 75:28

I find myself really torn when pondering how to rate and extoll this album: it's so derivative of Steven Wilson's work and yet it's so well done--each song reminding me how much I really like and appreciate the music and genius of Steven as well as confirming that there is room for more music like his, and yet, I'm always hoping for a little more originality to come through with the creations that a band chooses to release for public consumption.

B+/4.5 stars; a near-masterpiece of high-quality Steven Wilson-like progressive rock music. Highly recommended to all prog lovers--especially if you're a SW fan.

"Realm of Possibilities" and the modern, alternative sound, more electric rock, an innovative and energetic nectar. "Cruel Immission" piano arpeggio and acoustic guitar, an air of CABREL felt at the beginning, delicacy. After this intimate intro the prog metal variation comes to light, acid, sharp, sharp dynamite, enjoyable, fat, catchy, a bit of OCEANSIZE in the distance. The metal riff comes to stick itself right in this piece that makes me sway my hips, my foot unbearable. "Only You" on a groove like PINEAPPLE THIEF, a zest of OSI and the PORCUPINE TREE from the start, it smells good of fresh blood. The break with incisive pad doubled with a guitar flash and the ear that remains on the lookout; it's just perfect this strangely and pleasantly disturbing sound. "No Exit" continues, WILSON in the line of fire but with a fluid air of raging pop love song and Nicolas' keyboard solo, yes there is not only the guitar here; amazed. "Liquid Feels I" in 2 phases, crooner air of a CANTAT at the best of NOIR DESIR; a good dirty and jerky rock sound that starts up all of a sudden, Thomas' pads very effective. Garage rock with a heavy touch that makes you frown, a rock current worthy of a grandson of LED ZEPPELIN with an atomic current. "Liquid Feels II" continues with the instrumental part, drums and airy piano, like a reincarnated Joe JACKSON. The synth pushes making its place, Nicolas' nervous guitar riff supports it. It lights up the stage before the jazzy, South American break; it grooves like on an uninhibited BRAND X with the return of the over-excited guitar this time. The slap for this alternative prog rock as it should be. "Broken Arrow" starts with jazzy soul to snap its fingers and go on rock, that of the 90s, a bit of Gabriel with prog consonances. Rhythm with the energy of despair, the hope of having a giant break; it arrives captivating, catchy. Almost indescribable, avant-garde with final Olympian bells. "Strangled" change of style with a dated 80s sound, the time of heavy metal. The riff makes you nod, we are electrified, hold on to the DEF LEPPARD for this reverberating chorus and these voice-overs. The foot is hot to move, we are on new hard 2025, we move and we stay on the lookout so as not to get lost in this bewitching progressive meander.

"Fractal" cut intro, fractal, the rhythm on the RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and the nervous sound of a SMASHING PUMPKINS for the hypnotic bass. We continue to move hard, that's the best thing about this album. The variation will require many listens to tame this piece like this break with Gregorian choirs based on didgeridoo and screams; in short, captivating. A long mantran crescendo, a keyboard like MANFRED MANN from the 80s, Nicolas' scream and this burning post-progressive rise. "Under Control" puts your feet back on the ground with this electronic variation, pop rock infused with a melody to melt a nun. The softness of the synth groove denoting on the album, making your ears prick up by breaking the markers of prog, rock, current music. The chopped break phrased with the heavy bass, a touch of new-wave electro, a tenacious riff, I'm under control; different and fabulous. "The Cell" for the epic piece, an electric, electro and progressive 'Anesthetize', ideal for immersing yourself; Pad and latency, Gilmourian guitar melting, soft vocal preparing for trance. The crescendo with the sound that swells and the synth that prints the rhythm; let's be clear, a musical melting pot, nervous, electric, eclectic, hypnotic. A zest of madness on LEPROUS with modern synth. The crescendo goes into post dark-wave, fabulous I invent musical drawers; the rise is easy, electro-compulsive. Halfway through and this Anglican prog rock mix boosted by a Teutonic rhythm; an energetic crescendo that swells, does not stop, the voice being an integral part of the title. The hypnotic bass and the fat synth look to a Gary NUMAN. The atmosphere becomes solemn, ethereal, doubled by a divine guitar solo. The adorable finale with so much beauty, a voice and a languorous choir drowning in yet another clear guitar solo, spleen. Prog and new-wave for the dream fusion. "When the Wind Blows" for the authentic acoustic ballad, raw with the feeling of the female voice, this Nicolas has a singular vocal organ. The final title to breathe after so much emotion; a sweet melancholic nursery rhyme brightened by a jazzy beat, warm choirs, on the edge of unplugged with the synth showing its importance. A last melting guitar solo leads to ecstasy, a little Jeff BUCKLEY in the distance to die drowned, happy after this discovery.

MOONSHINE BLAST understood it: in the realms of possibilities you have to take risks, they did it. After the sought-after reminiscences of a WILSON, PINEAPPLE THIEF or even a RADIOHEAD, we find an album dripping with musical life, creation, fusion. A modern, transcendent, ambitious sound that invites you to travel. Originelly on profilprog.

MOONSHINE BLAST is a four piece band comprising of Nicolas Duke (lead vocals, keyboards, piano, acoustic guitars), Gabin Rock (electric guitars, b/vocals), Renaud Lyabastre (bass) and Thomas Zecchinon (drums, percussion, b/vocals). March 2018 saw the release of their debut album 'Reality Fear', clocked in at over 60 minutes. What we have here is a homage to the spirit and flavor of the past, yet refreshing and quite original approach with excellent musicianship. It would be fair to tag CD 'Reality Fear' as a sort of merger for different ingredients. There's an abundance of ideas and styles. Whatever the genre, this is a solid piece of music and worth a spark an interest. Standout tracks? The album starts off with wondrous 'Mars', evoking the classic neoprog sounds in the vein of GLD and Marillion. Very melodic, lots of subtlties and elegance. Devoted fans of Chris De Burgh should find plenty to enjoy on 'We Want This World To Be Better'. Another case in point, the longest composition titled 'Cutting The Rope'. It has a gathering structure, to flow through a variety of musical landscapes and moods. A song of two contrasting halves beginning with a tranquil guitar, vintage keys and vocal lament reminiscent of 70's Genesis, before morphing into a heavier section a'la Opeth which brings some growlings. At the end, there's another Genesis-like section. The next item is 'The Gate Of Dawn'. In terms of comparisons, it has some earmarks of Riverside. Moving on, hard edged stance of 'Dusty Lady' is reminiscent of such bands like Foreigner and Thunder. Also worthy of note is the closing track 'Earthquake' which does share much in common with Camel, Toto and ELO. The rest of material leans into more pop/rock territories, still holding the melodic focus. Last but not least, fantastic artwork/packaging. To my mind, MOONSHINE BLAST gave a superb visiting card. Sure, for a debut release that's produced on a limited budget, the quality of 'Reality Fear' is just amazing. Actually, having listened to this album for a few months, I think this is one of my favorite CD's in 2018 - because it features a lot of stylistic diversity plus unexpected twists and turns. This work represents very good value for money and can be ordered through the band's website.