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: : Sonus Umbra – Digging For
Zeros : : |
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Band/Artist
Sonus Umbra
Title:
Digging For Zeros
Released
2005
Label
Private Release
no catalog number |
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Track List
1. Zero
2. Scream
3. Sleepwalkers
4. Children Of Cain
5. The Laughter Of The Dead
6. Foreshadows
7. Invisible World
8. Serial Grounds
9. Infestation
10. Spleen
11. Bloodstains In Paradise
12. Meme Puppet Waltz
13. Dead Numbers
14. Devil's Promise
15. Aleph
16. The Great Fall Inwards
17. The Music Of The Primes
18. From The Ashes
19. Pariah
20. Infinity |
: : The Players : :
Lisa Francis – Lead Vocals | Pablo Garcia – Piano, Keyboards, Samples &
Vocals | Ricardo Gomez – Acoustic and Electric Guitars | Jeff Laramee –
Lead Vocals, Drums | Luis Nasser – Bass, Keyboards, Guitar, Spoken
Voices | Andy Tillitson – Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Vocals |
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: : Digging For Zeros : :
Hailing from Mexico City, Mexico, Sonus Umbra is one of the best
progressive rock bands in the world today. They have just released their
fourth studio recording, “Digging for Zeros”. If you look for their
previous releases you will find Snapshots from Limbo (2000) and
Spiritual Vertigo (2003). So how is Digging For Zeros their fourth?
Well, the band actually began under the name Radio Silence releasing
“Laughter in the Dark” as a private issue in 1998. That particular CD is
now out-of-print and is therefore very difficult to find.
As I already stated, Sonus Umbra is the epitome of what progressive
music can and should be. Their music certainly contains the expected
prog sounds…lush keyboards, deep bass, soaring guitars, great lyrics
etc. But what make them truly progressive are their complex sounds and
textures. References immediately come to mind of Pink Floyd, Alan
Parsons Project, The Moody Blues, and Ambrosia’s first CD (before they
became a commercial success).
Digging For Zeros is made up of 20 tracks with the longest being just
over 7 minutes. But there are many shorter tracks clocking in around 2
minutes or less…and this is what makes the CD really stand out. These
“connecting” tracks make for a very varied CD running the gamut of sweet
acoustic, symphonic music to full blown prog-metal. The band recently
parted ways (temporarily…we’ll have to wait and see) with their lead
singer Andres Aullet. His airy, spacey vocals were an integral part of
the bands sound so his departure (which was talked about at ROSFest
2004) left doubt that the next CD would still have the appeal of earlier
releases. Well I’m very glad to report that the shift in singers has
made the band stronger than ever and the “new” sound is awesome! Luis
Nasser (bass and “mastermind” of the band) has taken over the spoken,
more airy vocals with drummer Jeff Laramee now taking charge of much of
the lead vocals. Long-time member Lisa Francis (also of Kurgan’s Bane)
is still on board donating her beautiful voice to almost ˝ of the lead
vocals. But it’s Jeff’s vocals that are the big surprise. Leaning more
towards the metal side, this addition to the Sonus Umbra sound widens
the scope…and I believe…the appeal of the band. A few tracks even have
that growling “cookie-monster” sound reminiscent of the band Opeth. But
this is quickly counter-pointed by Lisa’s sweeter vocals.
Originally written as
one long concept piece, the CD was broken into 20 tracks to make it
easier to navigate. But why would one want to start the CD half-way
through it? This is the type of CD that grabs you from the start and
takes the listener on a ride that begs to be listened to from beginning
to end. Once you hit the start button, I can promise you that you won’t
be hitting stop until the CD’s ends on its own. The flow of the music is
so seamless that unless you’re following along you won’t know what track
is being played. Rather than review each track, a quick overview would
be more appropriate. The opening track “Zero” starts out with spacey
keyboards and fuzz lead guitar that would be at home on any Pink Floyd
CD. This quickly evolves into a thumping bass line and vocals that Alan
Parsons would be proud to release. Then what makes this CD so
progressive is on the 6th track “Foreshadows” we have the sounds of
someone’s footsteps aimlessly walking in the streets, a distant heart
beat and the sounds of screaming and broken glass that heightens the
tension of what’s to come. Similarly the sound effects and muttered
spoken vocals on track 8 "Serial Grounds" further enrich the concept of
the album. The rest of the CD continues with this journey of sounds.
Musically the CD is very lush with acoustic guitars, strong electric
guitar leads, fat keyboards and deep bass line. The production is
crystal clear and unlike many other current-day CD’s, it never becomes
over-processed. It’s a pleasure to hear such well recorded music!
So, if you’re looking for one of the best recorded, “take me on an epic
journey” CD’s of 2005, you’ve found it! Here’s hoping the band can play
some live gigs as this piece of music begs to be performed in its
entirety…from beginning to end.
Rating……10/10…really!
Reviewed by Bob Rosenthal
: : Visit the Artist’s Website : :
: : Discography : :
Snapshots From Limbo -
2000
Spiritual Vertigo - 2003
Digging For Zeroes - 2005 |
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