EMERGENT

GORDIAN KNOT's debut supassed my expectations by a considerable margin, so I was ready this time for their follow-up "Emergent". Well not ready enough apparently as this blew my expectations right out of the water. Jim Matheos from FATES WARNING and Steve Hackett guest on lead guitar. In the liner notes Sean Malone (band leader and former CYNIC member) thanks them both "For taking things above and beyond expectations." Bill Bruford guests on drums while former CYNIC members Jason Gobel, Steve Masvidal and Sean Rienert also contribute to this recording.

"Arsis" is all about Sean and his bass going solo. Much like the debut record which featured Sean on keys going solo for the first track. This is very laid back. "Muttersprache" is more like it ! Very heavy drums from Rienert and to open as Malone's bass throbs and Grobel grinds away over top on his guitar. Nice. It settles as keys come in. Back to heaviness as Gobel continues to amaze with his soloing. It settles again after 2 1/2 minutes as Hackett comes in. Kicks back in before 4 1/2 minutes as Malone gets on his stick 5 minutes in and then his keys as it calms down again. Hackett's back 5 1/2 minutes in with some aggressive playing at first before settling in to the end of the song. "A Shaman's Whisper" is the first time since 1993 I understand that these 4 former CYNIC players have played on the same track. This one is heavy as Malone plays his stick for almost 2 minutes. Great sound ! Gobel and Masvidal take turns the rest of the way on lead guitar. Beautiful,emotional music. "Ficher's Gambit" is dark and restrained with a lot of bottom end. Matheos plays his nylon and steel string guitars on this one.The keys from Malone are a nice touch as well. Gobel comes in after 4 minutes on guitar. "Grace (Live)" is pretty amazing considering it's just Malone on stick and echoplex. An emotional track that gets darker before 6 minutes. Quite emotional 7 minutes in as well.

"Some Brighter Thing" opens calmly enough but a powerful soundscape with Bruford on drums comes in fast. Heavy riffs, and check out Malone on stick. Love that sound. Gobel comes in soloing for a minute.Nice. It gets very heavy until Malone's back on the stick before 3 1/2 minutes as themes are repeated. Check out Hackett 4 1/2 minutes in as he's making some incredible noises come out of his guitar. We're seeing Hackett like never before on this album. Matheos takes over for him before 5 minutes and he sounds awesome as usual. Emotional ending once again. "The Brook The Ocean" is the duo of malone and Bruford and no one else. I love the intro with the guitar, drums and keys. It all stops as we get a bass solo from Malone. The dark jazz flavoured intro is back with keys again. Some complex drumming follows. Nice Bill ! It ends as it began. "Singing Deep Mountains" features TOOL-like drumming from Bruford as guitar comes in tastefully. Matheos arrives a minute in grinding away. This is amazing ! Gobel takes over on lead guitar 2 minutes in. Keys come in and even some female vocal melodies that are so uplifting. Some stick 4 minutes in. Hackett comes in soloing before 5 1/2 minutes. This is incredible as Steve really impresses. It gets heavier 6 1/2 minutes in as Hackett bears down with an absolutely scorching solo. This is Hackett !? My God ! Female vocal melodies are back with keys before Malone ends the song with some beautiful stick.

There is no doubt in my mind that this is a 5 star record. I'm completey humbled at how emotional, atmospheric, dynamic, beautiful and complex it is.