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: : Impossible Figures : :
 If
there is one figure in progressive rock that has set the standard for virtuosity,
musicianship, and virtuosity of modern day prog, it is Trent Gardner. The guy has
been busy with several projects and has the discography to prove it, ambitious
projects such as the Explorers Club, Leonardo: The Absolute Man, producing Steve
Walsh’s solo album, and appearing on such records as James Labrie’s Mullmuzzler
among many other projects (he has friends in high places, just look at who plays on
some of those projects), Trent Along with his brother Wayne, have found time to
produce Magellan’s fifth album Impossible Figures.
Amazingly so, although this is one of many of his projects, Impossible Figures is
not only Magellan’s debut for Inside Out Records, it is the Gardner’s first
departure from Magna Carta Records, the label that has been among his identity,
putting his musicianship/production skills aside for a minute, for years, record
after record; but putting that aside it does not surprise anyone that Inside Out
would want to have Magellan on their roster.
But enough about that; lets talk about Impossible Figures, probably being their most
heavy album to date, relating to their 1997 release, Test of Wills, but yet being at
the same level of a conceptual aesthetic, at least atmospherically like their last
record, Hundred Year Flood. Creating the perfect balance between Trent’s Keyboard
skills and Wayne’s guitar chops, Impossible Figures allows both the metal and
progressive elements to copulate with perfect endurance. When you look at the band,
they pretty much are at the point where they stand alone, having established
themselves beyond being compared to many other bands in this vein, they are
Magellan, but for those of you who might not be as familiar as some of us are to
their sound, they mix the progressive metal stature of Dream Theater, along with the
song structuring of mid-period Yes, with a little bit of symphonic overtones, not to
mention Trent’s low alto, that has become the staple of Magellan’s sound.
With the heavy opus of “Killer of Hope,” clocking in at around ten minutes, with
it’s overture backdrop opening up the record with blasts of analog synths and among
the riff structured guitar crunch, containing all the hooks, jam sessions, and key
changes any extended cut would need. With “Bach 16” Trent shows off his classical
piano chops with his symphonic brass arrangements, giving us yet more proof of his
musical stature, but it is “Late for Church” which shows aggressive diversity with
the power metal double bass opening among the symphonic backdrop that opens the cut,
which leads into a distorted bass laden song, complete with brass arrangements and
modern metal overtones. Impossible Figures continues its consistence with diversity
with cuts like “A World Groove,” hence the title should say it all, complete with
world percussion, need anybody say more, “Hymn for a Heathen” starts out as a ballad
but then leads into a more aggressive progressive metal opus, not to mention
“Counterpoints,” which is the most driving cut on the record, filled with the thick
guitars among Hammond Organs.
Closing the Impossible Figures is “Feel the Cross,” which is the darkest cut, ending
the record on more of an avant-garde note, but yet keeping simple structure to keep
the record in the right pace.And that sums it up, the fifth album from Magellan, being just as strong as any of
their past releases and stands out in it’s own right, proving that the Gardner
Brothers are more than just another progressive rock/metal staple, they are helping
set the standard for it these days. Hard to believe that this music comes from two
guys that were once Bay area Police officers, but yet that is another story, and we
can only be thankful that they turned in their badges and guns in exchange for
keyboards and guitars.
Rating: 9/10 Stars
Reviewer: Tommy Hash
: : Visit the artist web site : :
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Discography : :
Hour of Restoration -1991
Impending Ascension -1994
Test of Wills - 1997
Hundred Year Flood - 2002
Impossible Figures - 2003
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