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avestin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote avestin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 28 2007 at 06:59
KARCIUS 
http://www.myspace.com/karcius
 
From their website:
"

Karcius

Karcius is an instrumental group aiming at playing a mix of progressive rock and fusion jazz music. Four instrumentalists created the band at spring 2001: Dominique Blouin on bass, Thomas Brodeur on drums, Simon L’Espérance on guitars and Mingan Sauriol on keyboards. The group objective is to develop different musical ideas and explore styles to generate a surprising and diversified music. The improvisation and written music stand side by side generating a unique and particular musical concept. Karcius invites you in its universe of rhythms, colours, images, emotions and ambiances.

 

"

 
Label (there are many other great bands on this label, just go expore):
 
Their first album Sphere is very good. I'll quote here a review from sinkadotentree (john davie) who writes great reviews here in PA:
 
"

KARCIUS — Sphere

Review by sinkadotentree (john davie)
PROG REVIEWER

4%20stars 4.5 stars.These guys from Montreal are amazing!This music is often on the heavy side,which i like,yet there is some good variety here,including lighter jazz passages. Things get started with "Kunide" opening with intricate acoustic guitar with background synths.Drums,guitar and keys come in to provide an interesting,tasteful soundscape that intensifies.The melody changes again with heavy bass and drums with some great guitar as well."Liquid Meat" is a crunchy,heavy song with intricate drumming and a great bass solo.The guitar is so good,man these guys would be incredible to see live!"Evolution" opens with a good bass line, with a great guitar melody that comes and goes.There is this amazing,searing guitar solo as well.The next section is called "Lunatik" and consists of the next three songs,starting with "Highway To the Moon".It opens with bass and percussion as synths,guitar and drums create a wonderful sound.Nice bass solo 3 minutes in!There is some piano, light drums and a relaxing guitar melody to follow."Synapse" is an uptempo song with drums and guitar,before the bass and guitar trade solos, until the lead guitar comes in with some scorching melodies."Back To Earth" goes from a light and jazzy sound to a dark and heavy sound.Some more amazing guitar too,as the drums pound away."1111" is dominated with piano melodies,with drums and guitar providing different moods and tempos along the way."Labyrinthe" features the bass outfront again,as RUSH comes to mind in this well crafted tune."Bois Ta Musique" is a lighter,jazzy song that eventually speeds up with some scorching guitar."Absolute Decadence" is quite mellow until about 2 and a half minutes in when the guitar is on fire again!The tempo continues to change in this fantastic song. This is a must have for fusion fans,you won't be disappointed.

Posted Wednesday, January 10, 2007, 23:12 EST | Permanent link"

 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Drakk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 30 2007 at 13:12
Dave Murray - The Deserts of Traun Pt. III

Being an ex Estradasphere drummer, nothing short of interesting can be expected. 
[QUOTE=darkshade] [QUOTE=Sckxyss]
I'm disappointed - neither of these players are avant-garde!

Al di Meola.

[/QUOTE]

haha i know. but the poll itself is avant-garde
[/QUOTE]
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote avestin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 30 2007 at 13:30
Originally posted by Drakk Drakk wrote:

Dave Murray - The Deserts of Traun Pt. III

Being an ex Estradasphere drummer, nothing short of interesting can be expected. 
 
I don't know if you saw the interview I did with him, but if not, it's here:
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TheProgtologist Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 30 2007 at 13:36
A band I recently discovered that is incredible...Pochakaite Malko :
 
 
Their debut and sophomore album Laya are superb.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Drakk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 30 2007 at 13:39
Originally posted by avestin avestin wrote:

Originally posted by Drakk Drakk wrote:

Dave Murray - The Deserts of Traun Pt. III

Being an ex Estradasphere drummer, nothing short of interesting can be expected. 
 
I don't know if you saw the interview I did with him, but if not, it's here:
 
 


Ahh, I did not.  Thank you.
[QUOTE=darkshade] [QUOTE=Sckxyss]
I'm disappointed - neither of these players are avant-garde!

Al di Meola.

[/QUOTE]

haha i know. but the poll itself is avant-garde
[/QUOTE]
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hirgwath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 30 2007 at 16:03
I'd like to give mention of the Japanese band Naikaku, who are a really fast-playing, jazzy, metal-esque symph group (with a flautist). They're really a lot of fun to listen to. Some samples and more info can be found here: http://www.progday.com/Bands-Naikaku.html.
They have a few videos up on YouTube as well.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote eugene Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 30 2007 at 18:27
Originally posted by TheProgtologist TheProgtologist wrote:

A band I recently discovered that is incredible...Pochakaite Malko :
 
 
Their debut and sophomore album Laya are superb.
 
Wholeheartedly agree with above - an absolutely mind blowing and amazing band and one of the best recent discoveries for me too Clap
carefulwiththataxe
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hirgwath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 30 2007 at 19:11
Thanks guys, now I'm getting into Pochakaite Malko. Here are some mp3s for those who want to sample it (from their official site): http://www.ab.cyberhome.ne.jp/~pochamal/pochakaite_malko/e-pocha/ep_disco.html
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote avestin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 31 2007 at 21:18
Originally posted by Hirgwath Hirgwath wrote:

I'd like to give mention of the Japanese band Naikaku, who are a really fast-playing, jazzy, metal-esque symph group (with a flautist). They're really a lot of fun to listen to. Some samples and more info can be found here: http://www.progday.com/Bands-Naikaku.html.
They have a few videos up on YouTube as well.
 
Great band, Naikaku and glad to see another Pochakaite Malko fan.
 
 
 
 
 
Here's an album I'd like to recommend this time:
Jeff Gauthier Goatette - Mask (Cryptogramophone) (jazz-rock)

Here's Jeff Gauthier's bio from the label Cryptogramophone

"Gauthier's compositions are quirky and offbeat, bubbling with unexpected rhythms and occasional warm lyricism. L.A. Times

Violinist, composer and producer Jeff Gauthier has worked with a wide range of musicians in a variety of creative contexts in a career that has spanned over 25 years. As an improvising violinist, he has performed and recorded with Yusef Lateef & Adam Rudolph on the album The World At Peace for Meta Records, The Alex Cline Ensemble on albums for ECM & Cryptogramophone, and The Vinny Golia Large Ensemble, Quartetto Stig and the Cline Gauthier Stinson trio, all for Nine Winds Records. His own ensemble, the Jeff Gauthier Goatette has recorded three CDs including Internal Memo and The Present for Nine Winds Records and Mask for Cryptogramophone. Mask was nominated for a 2002 AFIM Indie Award. He has also performed in ensembles with bassist Mark Dresser (The Banquet) and drummer Gregg Bendian (Bone Structure). As a founding member with Nels Cline, Alex Cline and Eric von Essen of the ensemble Quartet Music, a creative presence in Los Angeles for 12 years, Gauthier recorded four albums, received two NEA grants, was a member of the California Arts Council touring roster, and performed twice as soloist with the Milwaukee Symphony. Recently named a "Rising Star" in the category of Producer in the 2003 Downbeat Critic's Poll, Gauthier has worked with such luminaries as Alan Broadbent, Nels Cline, Mark Dresser, Peter Erskine, Jimmy Rowles, Stacy Rowles, Alan Pasqua, Don Preston and many others recording CDs for Cryptogramophone, Delos and Nine Winds Records. As a classical violinist Gauthier has performed with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Music Center Opera, Los Angeles Mozart Orchestra, Long Beach Symphony, the Oregon Bach Festival and the Carmel Bach Festival. He performed on the 2000 Grammy Award winning CD Credo, by Kristoph Penderecki with the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra and Chorus. He has also performed on countless films and TV shows, including almost every Star Trek film and TV show spin-off known to man. Gauthier is a graduate of California Institute of the Arts."
 
Other sources for background about him are:
 
 
Here's a review of the album Mask from Dusted Reviews:
"

Quite the prosthetic persona


Jeff Gauthier spends so much time supporting other creative artists it is remarkable that he finds time to even consider composing and recording his own music. Thankfully, he manages somehow. Like other releases on his Cryptogramophone label, the Jeff Gauthier Goatette’s latest effort, “Mask,” follows the path suggested by such patron saints of creative music as Lester Bowie and others who made serious, important, groundbreaking music, but also made it fun. The Goatette, which features Gauthier on electric violin, Nels Cline on guitars, David Witham on piano, Joel Hamilton on Bass and Alex Cline on drums, has been performing together since 1991, and the collaborations between Gauthier and the Clines go back to the late 70s. Mask is the third album the group has released, the first two, “The Present” and “Internal Memo” were released on the Nine Winds label.

Mask the album would be worth owning even if it only contained “Mask” the song. The four-part Gauthier composition, which was inspired by the “richness, beauty, and synergistic yet random nature” of a Billie Holiday song on a late December evening in Mexico, weighs in a second shy of eighteen minutes, and is intricate enough that it continues to hold surprises well beyond ten listens (I’m currently pushing twenty.) Pianist David Witham is the first out of the soloing gate, laying a dirty, distortion-tinged electric piano lead over the song’s opening vamp. Witham finishes and the quintet takes an introspective turn on the strengths of Gauthier’s lead work, before heading into a mysterious sonic jungle, which will leave even the strongest-willed of travelers feeling uneasy. And that is just the first ten minutes.

But listeners are in luck, as there is plenty more where that came from. These include two more compositions by Gauthier, a new composition by the incomparable guitarist Nels Cline, a rollickingly playful reading of Ornette Coleman’s “Enfant,” and Eric von Essen’s “Waltz For K.P.,” a tune which draws upon Bill Evans’ swung ballad approach and features particularly fine acoustic piano work by Witham. The musicians’ sixth-sense understanding of the music and of each other’s playing is evident throughout the album, perhaps most acutely on Gauthier’s “Ephemera – for Eric,” with bassist Joel Hamilton and drummer Alex Cline pushing and pulling the rhythmic envelope while Nels (on acoustic twelve string) and Gauthier take turns negotiating the curves. It is a treat to hear Nels Cline, whose plugged-in pyrotechnics have been much heralded, turn in great work on acoustic. Who knows where he found the time to make an album like Mask, but here’s to hoping that Gauthier continues to locate some extra hours here and there.



By Bruce Wallace"

 
Other reviews:
Cryptogramophone (gathering of several reviews)
 
The album can be purchased at Indie Jazz.com
 

Cryptogramophone- CG112( 2002)
file under: Post Bop, ECM Style Jazz, West Coast Jazz

Alex Cline - drums, percussion
David Witham - piano, electric piano
Jeff Gauthier - electric violin, violin
Joel Hamilton - bass
Nels Cline - electric guitar, 12 string acoustic guitar

Mask features Jeff Gauthier on electric violin, Nels Cline on guitars, David Witham on piano, Joel Hamilton on bass and Alex Cline on drums. This is Gauthier's third CD as a leader and first for Cryptogramophone. Mask features works by Gauthier, Nels Cline, Alex Cline, former Goatette member Eric von Essen, and harmolodic legend Ornette Coleman. This is Gauthier's strongest and most original statement to date, and heralds his arrival as yet another important jazz violinist with a French name.

 
Track Listing
(click linked titles for mp3)

1. Clea's Bounce [07:14]
2. Waltz For K.P. [05:05]
3. Enfant [05:54]
4. The Fools [11:26]
5. Ephemera (for Eric) [09:01]
6. Mask [17:55]
7. Forgiveness [09:36]

 
 
 
 
 
 
Mask%20-%20Jeff%20Gauthier%20Goatette


Edited by avestin - July 31 2007 at 21:19
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote avestin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 01 2007 at 07:18

Another post, but short one with only links.

Two Israeli bands:
One that I heard of before and got more curious after seeing them mentioned lately in the Recent Purchases thread:
Releaf - http://www.myspace.com/realeaf
Their short bio from Myspace:
" About Realeaf
Realeaf formed on May 2006- Just a bright afternoon in the studio. Through Out recording a random jam session, They knew that there was no way back... Their first album, "Possibly Not", was then written and recorded and was Released on may 2007 by the Band's own indie Label. They already started working on new songs for their second Album. 
 
"

The other band is Coda - http://www.myspace.com/codaband1
Their Mysapce bio:

"Coda, a new Israeli band, was formed in 2006 By Eyal Amir(Composer/arranger/Pianist in denial) and Ray Livnat(the fool on the top left, who sings in Iris & Ofer Portugaly's Gospel Choir, and has proved many times that he is loud and proud of it), who met as students in 'Rimon' - School of jazz and contemporary music. After working on various musical projects together, they decided to form this band, which will play original music in their own kind of style."
 
 

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote avestin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 01 2007 at 21:24
To continue my recommendation of the Jeff Gauthier Goatette album Mask, I'll recommend another related album.
The album is Bone Strcuture, which is performed by the foursome of musicians (also calling themselves Bone Structure, which is essentally a Gregg Bendian led project).
So who plays here:

G.E. Stinson - electric guitars, dobro, implements
Gregg Bendian - drumset, glockenspiel, piano
Jeff Gauthier - electric and acoustic violins
Steuart Liebig - contrabassguitars

 
Track Listing
(click linked titles for mp3)

1. Muscle Tone [05:10]
2. Plasma Wave [08:22]
3. Floating Bunraku [08:29]
4. Nomad [03:06]
5. Ether Or [08:01]
6. Steel Hair [06:41]
7. Spirit Box [06:48]
8. Toothpick Fantasy [02:50]
9. Demagogue [04:43]
10. Lock It Down [08:31]
11. Faded Sun [03:13]
12. Mutoscope [10:11]
 
 
Here's what All About Jazz says:
"
Bone Structure is something different: post-jazz fusion-progressive rock-electronica-jam band music that features a wily sinister vibe. Some of the infectious grooves are reminiscent of those laid down by Ginger Baker and Jonas Hellborg on Baker's very fine and underrated Unseen Rain from several years back. Other influences can be heard as well. From time to time guitarist G.E. Stinson sounds remarkably like John McLaughlin from Miles Davis' Live Evil. There are also allusions to works such as Weather Report's “Mr. Gone” and “Saturn Return” from Elements.

The point of mentioning these influences is to provide a musical vantage point. Please don't believe that the music is derivative in any way. In fact, it is quite original and somewhat dangerous. I must admit that I find it difficult to listen to the entire album in one sitting. I am from the old school and still not quite used to sitting still for seventy-five minute albums. But the real reason for the difficulty is that the musical intensity released by these players is quite an overwhelming experience. One gets the sense that you are listening to a soundtrack of a very good science-fiction movie in which perhaps some not so very good things are happening.

Bendian does stupendous triple duty on the album, playing drums, glockenspiel and piano. Jeff Gauthier plays some very haunting electric and acoustic violin. Steuart Liebig's bass is a force for evil in the grooves and Stinson's acid guitar is a revelation as are his contributions on “implements.” These “implements” create what I would call electronic noises. I have never enjoyed such noises until I heard this album. They are distinct yet indistinct parts of the music. You'll actually have to listen to Bone Structure to appreciate that last sentence.

The music was actually recorded in 2000, but the album was not released until this year. The band claims all of the music was improvised on the spot. If this includes the “implements” sections, it would make this claim doubly impressive. Something else about the album is quite intriguing: the sound appears to all come from the center channel and then branch out as if it was being released through an upside down funnel or one of those old RCA Victrola horns. I don't know how they got this effect or even if it was intentional, but it gives the music a very strong hypnotic center.

Choosing specific tunes to illustrate these points would be a pointless exercise. The album is thematic in nature, with 12 tunes somehow interrelated to make a cogent whole. This is very serious and exciting music, dark and thought provoking. Don't think you can just listen to it half-assed.


Track listing: Muscle Tone; Plasma Wave; Floating Bunraku; Nomad; Ether Or; Steel Hair; Spirit Box; Toothpick Fantasy; Demagogue; Lock It Down; Faded Sun; Mutoscope

Personnel: Gregg Bendian- drums, glockenspiel, piano; Jeff Gauthier- electric and acoustic violins; Steuart Liebig- contrabassguitars; G.E. Stinson- electric guitars, dobro, implements

 
 
 
Bone%20Structure%20-%20Gregg%20Bendian,%20Jeff%20Gauthier,%20Steuart%20Liebig%20and%20G.E.%20Stinson
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote avestin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 02 2007 at 17:34
Three bands I'll mention this time, all from Japan and all from the avant-rock/chamber rock side of things...
 
The first is a band I added here a while back - ZYPRESSEN (I think I already mentioned them in this thread).
The two others are bands I will be adding to PA in the future when time permits - Lacrymosa & Amygdala
 
Zypressen
Their PA bio:
"Zypressen is/was a Japanese chamber music quintet with ties to fellow countrymen Lacrymosa. Their music is more in the lighter side of things and they can be compared at times to Univers Zero (not to say they sound like them, but as a point of reference) and it slides into Zeuhl territories at times. While the lineup consists of an electric guitar, drums & percussions, the dominant instruments in their tracks are the classical instruments such as cello, violin viola, piano, flute and clarinet. Their s/t album from 1996 is hard to track and supposed to be out of print, but can found occasionally at online stores or auctions. In any case, well worth the trouble of locating it, as the album manages to keep a good flow of interchanging sounds/themes and electric vs. acoustic tracks. "
 
 
Lacrymosa (related to Zypressen):
The following are reviews of their two albums, taken from Gnosis 2000:

http://gnosis2000.net/reviews/lacrymosa.htm

" Sjef Oelle ; Lacrymosa (aka Bugbear)

On the first full-length album of the Japanese band Lacrymosa, they already had developed completely their doom-ridden, avant-garde, chamber rock. With an instrumental line-up that includes violin, oboe, clarinet, saxophone and cello, it is probably no surprise that they often sound like a modern chamber music ensemble, albeit supported by a rock music rhythm section. Often the band sounds about as creepy and threatening as Univers Zero. It is not hard to imagine this music as part of a horror movie soundtrack. There are several beautiful, almost pastoral melodic sections, but usually within a few bars musical elements foreshadowing upcoming disaster or threat fill the sonic air. Lacrymosa is significantly harsher and darker in sound than the somewhat similar Japanese band Zypressen, who have a more delicate take on "chamber rock". Bugbear is a great album and recommended listening for anyone into the RIO scene or avantgarde rock.

 

Joy of a Wrecked Ship

Lacrymosa's second album Joy of a Wrecked Ship opens with stormy weather, heavy rain showers and, a bit later, a thundering sound. The stage is set; this is the second episode into Lacrymosa's dark and brooding world of avant-garde chamber rock. All the elements of the first album are refined on this album and the compositions are more dynamic and powerful. Lovely delicate chamber music sections are slowly or abruptly intruded by dramatic bursts of avant-rock violence. Some tracks even have the brutal martial tone that characterizes some of the Magma recordings. Nevertheless, bands such as Univers Zero, Art Zoyd, Henry Cow and Zypressen are still the best reference points to get an idea of their sound. Not exactly easy listening, but intense and rewarding. A classic !

 

Amygadala:
The following are reviews taken from the Soleil Zeuhl website:

http://alain.lebon4.free.fr/soleil/amygdala-gb.html

 

AMYGDALA : Same ( Soleil Zeuhl 11 )

AMYGDALA is a Japanese band, heavily Zeuhl-influenced (much more on the UZ side than Magma, I'd say), with that RIO edge that seems to be the landmark of the greatest Japanese bands of these last few years. Almost all instrumental, the line-up features drums, bass, synths, piano, guitar & occasional other instruments. Dark, pulsating and complex, their music combines powerful rock energy & the insane rythmical patterns of Magma. Recommended to fans of dark sounds : Present, Univers Zero, Thollot, Ruins, Peter Frohmader etc..

 

Amygdala - "Amygdala" (Soleil Zeuhl 11, 2004, CD)

The brutal apocalyptic menace of the opener "Utrecht" could be described as a four-way collision between Univers Zero (that "chamber" sound), Magma (the rumbling, growling basses), Present (the screaming angular guitars) and Happy Family (the general tone and energy level). Sound like something you might enjoy?
The amazing thing is that all this din is made by just two guys! Amygdala is Yoshiyuki Nakajima (keyboards, synths, compo-sitions and programming) and Yoshihiro Yamaji (bass, guitar, and vocals) - and there aren't much of the latter, this is like 99% instrumental. So what about the drummer? That's Amygdala's dark little secret; apparently all drum sounds are programmed, although it's done so well that on casual listen one might not even notice.
This writer listened to the entire disc one time through before looking at the credits in astonishment; similar story with the synth generated clarinet and bassoon voices.
The complex metric figures on "Bernoulli's Organ" give it away, though - few human keyboard players could switch back and forth between these tricky signatures in mid stream without a little help from the ol' sequencer.

The key words here are manic, dark, intense, and foreboding, with no 'pretty' stuff to be found anywhere; kind of like the soundtrack to your favorite nightmare. Gotta love it!

- Peter Thelen (Expose magazine - issue 29, April 2004)

 

Amygdala - "Amygdala" (Soleil Zeuhl 11, 2004, CD)

I was itching to know what, if anything, Amygdala meant and a quick Google search turned up the following: it is a set of subcortical nuclei that is important for perceiving in others and having in oneself emotional or affective behaviors and feelings (e.g. fear, anger). It is, therefore, a component of the limbic system. Now that you know that… Amygdala is also the Japanese duo of Yoshiyuki Nakajima on keyboards, synths and programming and Yoshihiro Yamaji on guitar, bass and vocals. Nakajima composed all the music. And the CD credits aroused my curiosity by noting that Yamaji is in the band Tyrant. I've never heard of them but a quick Google search reveals them to be a Black Metal band. Amygdala isn't a Black Metal band, but rather play a Zeuhl fueled brand of avant-prog/RIO with blatant references to Magma, Univers Zero and Present. From the first moments of the opening track, "Utrecht", a thunderous zheul sound crashes over the listener like a tital wave, like Magma as a metal band, before launching into a blazing avant-prog jam. This is very heavy, HIGHLY intense music, with exciting arrangements and instrumentation. "1998" and "Db" are highlight tracks that get more into Univers Zero/Present territory… very much like Present really. Nakajima's compositions are impressive, providing the listener with much to digest over repeated listens. And the performances are mercury bursting with power and emotion. "Bernoulli's Organ" is one of my favorite tracks, being like an instrumental gymnastics exhibition where everyone is lit up on steroids. How the hell do only two musicians perform this music? And what about the drums? There are no drums in the credits, just programming, so if these aren't real drums then these guys are doing a mighty impressive job with the programming.

In summary, Amygdala are by no means doing anything new or different. But if you're a fan of Zeuhl and RIO school progressive rock you will surely appreciate that what Amygdala do… they do damn good. Heavy rockers into complex prog will drool buckets over this stuff.

Jerry Kranitz (From Aural Innovations #30, February 2005)

 

Amygdala - "Amygdala" (Soleil Zeuhl 11, 2004, CD)

Solid, diverse, intense, cohesive, inventive and dynamic - just a few of the words you could use to describe this largely instrumental duo whose music, from muscular mellotron and twisted piano playing through immense electric bass and steaming electric guitar, crosses territories as diverse as Ruins, Zappa, Art Zoyd, National Health & Magma, with a set of mid-length (seven to eleven minutes) tracks that take no prisoners, built on intense waves of choppy, intricate rhythms and searing solos from the array of guitars and synths and keys, all the while the drums and bass crunching and pounding down below. There are elements from styles such as the RIO movement, traditional fusion and even touches of prog-rock, but it's all put into this bubbling, sizzling cauldron to come up with a set of tracks that are truly astounding.

Andy Garibaldi (CD Services UK)

 

 
 
 
 
For more info on Japanese prog and experimental music look here:


Edited by avestin - August 02 2007 at 17:36
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hirgwath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 02 2007 at 19:58
On the subject of Japanese prog, I recommend the all-girl symph outfit Ars Nova.
Their keyboardist has collaborated with Ayreon. And she has blue hair, at least part of the time.

http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=28
http://arsnova.chocot.net/arsframeset_eng.htm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote laplace Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 02 2007 at 20:01
I'd be interested to know how well you took to Amygdala's somewhat midi-fied sound, avestin. =)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote avestin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 02 2007 at 20:11
Originally posted by laplace laplace wrote:

I'd be interested to know how well you took to Amygdala's somewhat midi-fied sound, avestin. =)
 
Yeah, I was somewhat put off at first, a bit perplexed, but gradually got accustomed to it and since I liked the music itself, it went all together fine, but probably having mroe than two musicians and not using programming would have achieved a better sound/result.
 
@Hirgwath
: I like them as well. Have you tried OUTER LIMITS? and MR. SIRIUS or MUGEN?
There's so much more, just look at the link of my previous post.
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote avestin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 02 2007 at 20:40
To continue the Japanese prog, NAIKAKU are one hell of a band! Shell is fantastic!
Grab it!
 
To continue the two previous posts of mine from above (Jeff Gauthier and Bone Structure) here's another goodie:
Steuart Liebig - Pomegranate
This is from the Cyrptogramophone website:
"This set of four concerti is an epic masterwork by composer/bassist Steuart Liebig. It featues soloists Nels Cline on electric guitar, Mark Dresser on contrabass, Vinny Golia on sopranino saxophone and Tom Varner on french horn. These soloists are backed by a crack ensemble of Eric Barber - woodwinds, Ellen Burr - flute, Alex Cline - drums, John Fumo - trumpet, Jeff Gauthier - electric violin, Steuart Liebig - electric bass, and Scot Ray - trombone. Destined to become a creative music classic, Pomegranate bridges the gap between jazz, contemporary classical music and skronk-rock.
"
 
And this is from Indie Jazz.com:
"

Pomegranate (2001), which consists of four concerto-like vehicles for featured soloist and a seven-piece backing band, could probably be considered the apotheosis to date of the compositional ideas begun in Quartetto Stig. Besides the obvious challenge of trying to capture the personality of each featured soloist, there are some major differences between the four long-form pieces written for Pomegranate and the long-from pieces written for Quartetto Stig. Whereas the long-form pieces for the quartet are often episodic or based on classical forms (sonata allegro, rondo, theme and variations), the music on Pomegranate is based on the use of form by Stravinsky (and other 20th-century composers) and in the films of Peter Greenaway (The Pillow Book in particular). Another important distinction is that much of the music for the quartet was programmatic in nature--that is, the music was influenced by or based on a novel, a poem, a painting, a place, a person, etc.--the music for Pomegranate is, but for one small exception, non-programmatic. "

Reviews and other misc. can be read here:
 
 
Cryptogramophone- CG109( 2001)
 
Alex Cline - drums/percussion
Ellen Burr - flute, alto flute and piccolo
Eric Barber - B flat clarinet
Jeff Gauthier - 4 and 5-string electric violins
John Fumo - trumpet and flugelhorn
Mark Dresser - double bass and gifus
Nels Cline - e.guitars
Scot Ray - trombone
Steuart Liebig - contrabassguitars
Tom Varner - french horn
Vinny Golia - sopronino saxophone
 
Track Listing
(click linked titles for mp3)

1. widening circles reach across the world [14:58]
2. the motionless blue of fallen skies [21:48]
3. flare up like flame and create dark shadows [17:48]
4. the darkness of each endless fall [17:23]
 
Pomegranate%20-%20Steuart%20Liebig
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hirgwath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 03 2007 at 14:24
Sooner or later, we're going to just exhaust all of the J-prog there is.

Here's a very useful article:
http://www.geocities.com/1-0/REVIEWS/article.html

Here's a particular mention:
Bi Kyo Ran - (a King Crimson-esque band...to the point of the guitar being a clone of Fripp)
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=41
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote avestin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 04 2007 at 20:53
C'est Mortel - s/t
Excellent heavy (at times goes into metal even) and complex post rock
From the label's website - http://www.2sheds.com/cestmortel.html
"

Devin Brown - guitar, vocals
Mason Brown - guitar
Brett Griffin - bass
Tom Naumann - drums
David Specht - keyboards

Seems like every musician in Athens is in multiple bands, so why should Jet by Day be any different? Jet by Day mainstays Tom Naumann and Mason Brown get their jones to "do something different" by moonlighting in C'est Mortel, a post-rock/prog-rock project that also includes Athens area musicians Devin Brown, Brett Griffin, and David Specht.

Formed in 2000, C'est Mortel composes and perform epic compositions which render obsolete the context in which others use the term. C'est Mortel's M.O. is to write 30-40 minute mostly-instrumental compositions, which are made up of multiple suites or theme changes that are simultaneously part-Slint and part-Kyuss, Each "song" is labeled as a "set" by the band, which is an indicator that the "sets" are really meant to be heard and performed live.

C'est Mortel's live show typically consists of one of their sets, performed in its entirety. Since the band has a number of sets on tap, fans are often treated to an entire show they've never heard before.

Brett Griffin joined Naumann and Brown as Jet by Day's bassist in August 2003.

C'est Mortel is currently inactive, as the Jet by Day contingency is now devoting all of its energy to the main gig

"
 
Reviews:
"

Delusions of Adequacy - "Some would call it straightforward rock, while there are elements of math-rock, prog-rock, and even stoner-rock with metal moments. But that's what is so good about this release. The styles are blended effortlessly, and the fact that the band recorded these songs live amazes me. This is a fantastic release, and the fact that this is a side project is astounding. Let's hope it doesn't get ignored as side projects tend to be, because with this more free, less constrained project, these guys have amazing potential."

Splendid - "C'est Mortel (Tom Naumann and Mason Brown, both of whom are members of Jet By Day, who formed this as their night gig) follow the standard formation of guitars and drums, like their contemporaries and comparison measurement the Oxes, but the added sounds set them among instrumental experimenters like TransAm, Tristeza and Tortoise. Naumann and Brown feed each other incredible energy; in both tracks, the muscular drumming and ripping chords crescendo like the players are fighting each other, but the sounds mesh perfectly."

Southeast Performer - "This powerful but unobtrusive seven song album is a dynamic journey into a territory filled with alienation, struggle and surrealism; a sort of mental Dali painting. It pulls from bombastic beginning through extreme quiet, blending back into fuzzy spaces inhabited with shrieking guitar, theremin, blasting drums and a constantly changing schizophrenic melody. There's a full dose of metallic prog-rock, but it is tempered with abrupt, sparse lines, spacey experimental jags, and even clapping."

"
 
Samples:
 
Great project, too bad it's discontinued.
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sunhillow_ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 07 2007 at 19:11
This may be silly to some people, but I recommend Steeley Span.. It is a shame that this nice group doesnt appear on PA.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MusicForSpeedin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 08 2007 at 13:21
Maps & Atlases
Gang Gang Dance
Pawa Up First
Gastr Del Sol
Below The Sea
Immanu El
Tera Melos
 
These are just a few bands taking me over at the moment that are interesting.
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