GORDIAN KNOT

This was just a pleasure to listen to last week. When I saw that Sean Malone and Ron Jarzombek were involved I thought this might be another CYNIC / WATCHTOWER / SPASTIC INK type record which would have been ok with me, but boy was I wrong. I was surprised at how much atmosphere there is on this album, in fact I was reminded of the style of DJAM KARET who contrast Psychedelic music with heaviness, while GORDIAN KNOT contrast atmosphere with heaviness and complexity. Former CYNIC drummer Sean Reinert is also on board along with Trey Gunn and Glen Snelwar. John Myung guests on a couple of tracks playing chapman stick. And that's another interesting point that Malone also plays chapman stick, bass and keys, while Gunn plays his touch warr guitar. It all adds up to some interesting sounding music. It should be stated that this is Sean Malone's project.

"Galois" is a dark, haunting piece played by Malone on his keyboard. Cool song. "Code / Anticode" reminds me of the "Discipline" album by KING CRIMSON the way the guitar is so intricately played as it weaves in and out. Drums and synths join in. It settles down before 2 minutes as keys, touch guitar and drums lead the way. Jarzombek comes in ripping it up. More "Discipline" moments follow. Great full sound 4 1/2 minutes in before it settles down again 5 minutes in. "Reflections" is basically Snelwar and Reinert with Malone on his stick. Nice heavy sound to open that reminds me of latter day RUSH. A calm a minute in. I'm reminded again of "Discipline" with the intricate guitar melodies. The guitar sounds great from Snelwar 3 minutes in. Stick guitar after 4 minutes as the electric guitar makes some great noise in behind. Nice. "Megrez" is mostly Gunn soloing throughout. Very cool sounding tune as Malone's instrumental work makes it sound haunting, dark and melancholic. "Singularity" features the whole band in this heavy tune. Heavy riffs to open as guitar comes in and takes over as the heaviness stops. Nice guitar work ! It stops as heaviness returns. More guitar as the contrast continues. Some nice touch guitar before 3 minutes.

"Redemption's Way" is the first song to have Myung in it. Interesting sounds on this one as Myung and Malone play stick while Gunn plays his touch guitar and Snelwar plays his electric guitar to great effect 2 minutes in. After 3 minutes i'm thinking of "Discipline" again as the guitars weave in and around each other beautifully. "Kom Susser Tod, Komm Sel'ge" is a Bach tune re-arranged by Malone. It's Malone on his stick throughout. "River's Dancing" features Malone on bass in this heavy tune with some amazing lead guitar from Jarzombek while drums pound. It settles down to a sad melody 2 minutes in with some touch guitar. Nice bass before 3 1/2 minutes as the song starts to kick back into high gear with some great guitar this time from Snelwar. Absolutely gorgeous guitar solo from Jarzombek 5 1/2 minutes in that goes on forever. "Srikara Tal" has Myung and Malone on stick, Gunn on touch guitar and Reinert on percussion. This one has some atmosphere and the intensity seems to grow on this hypnotic track. "Grace" feature guitars that build tastefully in this mellow song. The last 3 minutes are emotional as we get waves of sound right to the end. Grace indeed.

I loved this record right from the first listen which is unusual for me, and it's only getting better. 4.5 stars.