PERSPECTIVE X IV

Perspective X IV biography
PERSPECTIVE X IV is a progressive metal band from Middletown, Ohio consisting of Chris Matthews (bass, keyboards, Moog, vocals), Rod Middleton (guitars, vocals) and Ben Burton (drums, percussion, vocals). The band formed in the summer of 1998, three long time friends set out to continue a musical style pioneered by such bands as RUSH, YES, DREAM THEATER and other progressive rock artists.

They recorded their first cd "Coming into Focus" in 1999 at On-Line Studio in Cincinnati; the album features six epic progressive rock and metal songs, containing many long, intricate instrumental passages with complex time signature and tempo changes.

PERSPECTIVE performed original music exclusively until early 2001. Vocalist, Johnny Ledford joined the band, and they began to mix the originals with cover tunes to appeal to larger audiences in the Cincinnati area.

By the spring of 2004, much of the music for a follow-up disc had been written and Johnny decided to leave the band to pursue other interests, the three original members shared the vocalist duties as they had done on "Coming into Focus."

The band released "Progressions" in 2004. "Progressions" includes four tracks from the previous album and three new songs that the former vocalist Johnny Ledford recorded before leaving the band. The writing for their next album "Shadow of Doubt" was finished and contains two remixed tracks from "Progressions" with Johnny on lead vocals, five songs with Rod and Ben on lead vocals, and two instrumentals.

"Shadow of Doubt" is a concept album. The album explores rock music, jazz, reggae, and countless other musical styles. Instrumentation on the album range from the typical guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards to the atypical, Fatar midi and Moog Taurus pedals, electronic and Latin percussion, mandolin, dulcimer, banjo and even sampling is utilized.

"Shadow of Doubt" was released in July of 2008 on Nightmare Records.

The band is currently working on new material and expects to release their fourth album in 2009.

WHY THIS BAND IS IN THE ARCHIVES:

PERSPECTIVE X IV plays a unique blend of progressive metal, combining many stylistic elements of their influences and with emotional conviction. They should be a welcome addition to YES, DREAM THEATER, RUSH, and SAVATAGE fans. They were approved by the Prog Metal Team and are very highly recommended.