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: : SONUS
UMBRA : :
Sonus Umbra (the sound of shadows) is a band I have loved since I first met Luis
Nasser and Jeff Laramee at ProgDay some years back. I believe it was 1999 and I was
helping park cars at Story Book Farm (a great setting for any type of music show by
the way) when Jeff of the prog band Kurgan’s Bane climbed out his vehicle wearing a
Kurgan’s Bane T shirt. I acknowledged that I liked Kurgan’s Bane and had their CD.
Not recognizing Jeff as Kurgan’s Banes drummer I was waxing poetic about how good I
thought they {Kurgan’s Bane} were. Jeff then asked me if I had ever heard Sonus
Umbra and I said no. Luis then handed me their first CD “Snapshots From Limbo” which
instantly became a CD that has been on regular rotation through all my CD players
ever since.
So when George announced that Sonus Umbra was going to play ROSFest, I was elated.
Now comes the tricky part. Sonus Umbra have not played a live gig in many years. In fact, most of
the music on both CD’s was recorded in parts, shipped to either England or South
America for other members to do their bits and pieces.
So when it came to putting together a “live” band for ROSFest it took planning and
effort. The result was a killer set from a multi-piece band who had only played two
or three live gigs the few weeks before ROSFest. And frankly they sounded like they
actually HAD been playing so much more.
Here was a band that mixed the heaviness of say Black Sabbath, the intricacies of
King Crimson with the dark and moody nature of Pink Floyd.
As the opening band on Sunday, only a few hours since many of us had gone to bed,
their set was electrifying and energizing. Loud parts, soft part, great vocal
harmonies, crunchy guitars with a very strong bass and drum section. Knowing how
little time these guys had played together made their set even that much more
impressive. And boy by the end of their set the crowd was wide-awake and raring to
have more.
Again a flawless load out and right on time the second band of the day, Little Atlas
was set to hit the stage.
I feel I’ve been a bit remiss in not discussing the lighting used this weekend. All
I can say is that George and Tom did not hold back when it came to going for great
lighting. Festive Productions with their excellent audio and lighting technicians
were outstanding and without question they should be back in 2K5. Of course this was
no lighting rig for say a Yes show but boys and girls it was exquisite nonetheless.
They had no fewer than six remotely controlled spotlights that kept the front line
clearly visible. There were effective, colorful, bright backlights used with
precision by the lighting techs. In addition, there were these little rotating
projections on the large screen behind all the bands. The really cool part was that
each band had good use of the lights. Of course the effects and tricks increased as
we moved from the opening band to the headliners but really none of the bands could
have asked for better lighting. Period.
: : LITTLE ATLAS : :
Little Atlas, again a review of their CD “Little Atlas” can be found on
www.prog4you.com is from Miami and that fact alone makes it very hard to “pigeon
hole” what or who they might sound like. In fact, they sound like no one you’ve ever
heard yet they sound familiar and very accessible. These guys, much like Man on Fire
and IZZ, are leading the way for modern progressive rock where you get the complexity
of prog with unique and different combinations of sounds. There is a clear “Latin”
flavor to their sound without it being Latin at all.
Steve Katsikas, a true multi-instrumentalist, played and sang his heart out. These
guys had a stage presence that was really powerful. Again, Little Atlas made sure
that everyone in attendance was reminded that in fact it is only rock and roll and
rock and roll they did.
I’d like to talk about Diego Pocovi, Little Atlas’s drummer. I’d like to just say
this guy’s playing put him squarely in the top 5% of all drummers that are playing
or have ever played any type of music. His command of the kit, his ability to play
time signatures that in fact are rarely seen even by the likes of Neil Pert and NDV
was astounding. I was captivated by the way he held sway over the rest of the
band. I mean Steve’s singing and playing Rik Bigai’s bass and Roy’s guitar work were
all exceptional but to this reviewer’s ears it was Diego’s complete command of the
drum kit that truly impressed me and acted like the glue holding the band together.
These guys ruled, and as with every other band thus far
this weekend, raised the bar and made each subsequent band have to really be “on” or
look weak. Little Atlas, my hat’s off to you. Bravo and a totally great job.
Whew, my how time flies when you are having so much total fun. It seemed like Little
Atlas had just started when it was time for them to leave. Luckily most of the bands
realized their time limitations and left themselves time for encores and Little
Atlas did not fail us worshipping at the alter of Little Atlas. A great band that
should not be missed if they play near you.
: : SALEM HILL : :
Next up, Salem Hill.
Hailing from Nash-Vegas, Salem Hill is a group of guys whose love of great
progressive rock music goes back to their days in high school. In many ways me even
writing a review of anything Salem Hill does is probably a bad thing. Why you might
ask? Well, it because I think everything they have ever done is totally brilliant
and full of exactly EVERYTHING I love about progressive rock music. Okay, now that
I’ve said that I can say this, these guys are one of the most underrated American
progressive rock bands of all time. In Salem Hill you have the power of Kansas, the
insight of St. Paul, the complexity of Genesis and Yes, the bizarreness of Zappa,
the scariness of Stephen King, and the peak into salvation offered by our Christ.
Why these guys continue to choose to write such dark yet powerful music when all
their lives are so filled with all the positive stuff that God can offer, well I
just cannot understand. But, saying that the music these four guys have given us
since 1991 is outstanding.
As a band with 7 releases under their belt, they needed to figure out a way to
satisfy us long time fans without boring to death any potentially new fans that may
be hearing them for the first time at ROSFest 2K4. So what was their decision? They
did a wonderful medley of songs long past which worked just fine for me. The
majority of their complete songs came from their newest CD “Be” but they were able
to fill their 2 hour set with complete songs from “Robbery of Murder”, “Catatonia”,
and “Not Everybody’s Gold”. Heck they even played my second favorite Salem Hill song
“Peculiar People” which I would have bet they would not play. For the record my
personal #1 favorite song by these personal friends of mine is “Awake”.
Salem Hill did not disappoint at any time in their set and as each band before them,
they raised the bar making the penultimate band of the weekend, RPWL, really have to
work to come across better than Salem Hill.
: : RPWL : :
So after another wonderful dinner and a relaxing time away from “the music”, it was
time for the one band of the weekend that I truly felt I would never see on this
side of the Atlantic, RPWL. As I had just stated, Salem Hill had blown me away and
while I was really waiting to see RPWL, I was prepared to be let down as Salem
Hill’s set was so good. I can tell you now, I was not and I suspect neither were
anyone else in the house.
Let’s see, the roots of RPWL were clearly born in the neo-prog movement. Parts of
RPWL started in a wonderful neo-prog band named Violet District. If you love all
things neo-prog and have not heard Violet District, find their one CD and buy it.
After Violet District select members began a Pink Floyd cover band and played around
Western Europe. They began to write original music albeit in the same vein as Pink
Floyd and thus RPWL (formed from initials from the band members names) was born.
Man, as I type this I’m drawn back to that night. The sound perfect, the visual
effects outstanding (yes, the lighting crew saved the best effects for last) the
songs heart wrenching and the crowd amazed at ever turn. This band was so much more
than a “Pink Floyd” cover band. They of course had a sound that might remind one of
80’s era Floyd but this was RPWL’s music and it was music from the heart. Yogi Lang,
RPWL’s singer was as powerful as a 20-ton nuke while having the peace and
tranquility on stage of the Dali Lama. I got goose bumps in almost EVERY song.
The coolest thing on stage was Stephan Ebner playing bass and wearing a floor length
leather skirt. His movements were always small and calculated in direct harmony with
Yogi’s karmatic and direct movements. This was a magical moment and one where the
real truth about the music we listen to and love came through.
When it was all over I just simply had to sit and chill as the crowd left the hall.
To conclude a weekend of great music as RPWL had done made me thankful I had an
opportunity to experience it live. Not sure if the final band at ROSFest 2K5 can
top this one but hey, I’ll be there to find out.
To all who put this event on, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Cannot wait to
do it all again next April. Make your plans now, as this will be an event not to be
missed.
Stephen Ellis
Official ROSfest website -
http://www.rosfest.com
Philadelphia Prog Rock Connection -
http://www.pprcmusic.com |
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