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Prog Rock on the Rise:
Special Feature
October
Thorns
October
Thorns is a progressive metal band based out of Brookyn, New York.
At the simplest comparison, it is easy to say that the band’s
sound is like that of Dream Theater, but it would not do the justice to
stop there. |
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TPRS.com
first learned of them when covering the Trans-Siberian Orchestra
performances in Ohio last December. The
band’s bass player David Z had joined the East Coast version of the tour
in the place of longtime Savatage/TSO bass player Johnny Lee Middleton,
who was out with the West Coast version.
After witnessing the quality and flash behind the young musician,
it is no surprise that his band is comprised of superior musicians.
Prior to
even releasing a professional quality album, October Thorns has received
endorsements from Jackson Guitars and Marshall, as well as much notice on
MP3.com. To truly grasp October Thorns it is best to hear them for
yourself. You are invited to
do so by visiting the band’s Web site at www.octoberthorns.com
and listen to MP3 versions of their material.
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EVENT
Event is a
cutting edge hard rock band from New England, which was formed from an
ensemble at Berklee College of Music in 1996.
The band began recording for their sophomore release, Human
Condition, in 1999 and have since teamed up with InsideOut Music America
for the album’s 2001 United States release.
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The core of
its unique blend of music is songwriter/guitarist Shaun Michaud, who can
also be seen touring as a second guitarist and keyboardist with Fates
Warning this year, has been influenced by the likes of everyone from Trent
Reznor to Steve Vai. Michaud
is joined by Matt Scurfield (drums), Jay Rigney (bass), and Dave Deluco
(vocals).
While the
album offers loops and effects, the band is clearly driven by strong
guitars and melodic vocals. Imagine
a fusion of Queensryche, Nine Inch Nails, and Dream Theater, and you have
Event. For more information,
visit their label at www.insideoutmusic.com
or the band’s official site at www.eventband.com.
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Ice Age
Ice age is
comprised of Josh Pincus (vocals and keyboards), Jimmy Pappas (guitars),
Arron DiCesare (bass), and Hal Aponte (drums and percussion). |
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Known for performing together as far back as 1992 under the name Monolith,
the band released their first album as Ice Age in 1999, entitled The Great
Divide, and now practices their own form of “Liberation” as they
release their sophomore effort on Magna Carta.
While
the band can be clearly categorized
as a progressive rock/metal band, their focus has grown to include greater
attention to song structure and writing with a special concentration on
writing vocal melodies. It is clear after
one listen that unlike most bands, who become entangled in the musically intricacies
of progressive music, Ice Age has not forgotten to voice their passions
through strong vocals and lyrics.
Pincus
believes that by shifting their focus to a vocal perspective they have
been able to create a more unique and identifiable style, which can't as
easily be compared to the likes of predecessors like Dream Theater and
Rush.
For more
information, visit www.magnacarta.net or the band’s site at www.ice-age.com.
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