IZZ, Everlasting Instant

IZZ? Well, yes, IZZ. It's an alt-prog rock, song centered outfit that gives us some excellently arranged, very memorable music in the third part of their thematic trilogy, Everlasting Instant (Doone 12-669563). Tom Galgano, keyboardist and one of the principal lead vocalists, heads up the ensemble and takes up production duties with a flair here.

Along with Tom are co-vocalists Anmarie Byrnes and Laura Meade. John Galgano plays bass, some guitar and shares in the vocal duties. The songs set up the need for expressive vocalizations and IZZ comes through. But it's also the sort of music that extends a prog-alt instrumental virtuosity in original ways, so there is good work from Paul Bremner on electric guitar, the drumming of Brian Coralian and Greg DiMiceli, and the keys and bass of Tom and John. They have varied roles to play according to the song at hand. It is together, sophisticated prog that excels in avoiding the cliches of the style, not hearkening back so much as moving forward.

This is moody song fare that manages to innovate within a well-worn path, so much so that the ground shifts a bit underneath your musical feet.

If you dig the progressive arts and/or alt rock, this one is for you! Nicely done. Bravo.

Dreadnaught, Gettin' Tight with Dreadnaught

The prog rock juggernaught Dreadnaught returns with a new EP, Gettin' Tight with Dreadnaught (Red Fez Records). I've covered their music here before (type in search box above for those articles). If anything they have gotten more accomplished and complex in their guitar-keys-bass-drum routines. They give us some 20 minutes of music that presses the prog virtuoso possibilities to the edge but then does not forget to include the song-vocal elements.

It's a recording that packs a punch. The songs are at times as innovative as the instrumental routines, though they may not have an anthemic radio sort of presence, meaning they are unlikely to be found played on top-40 rock stations, if such a thing still exists.

But what do we care about that? This is driving prog that will satisfy those who seek something new and beyond in the genre and perhaps will win over those who flirt with the fringes of the scene.

In any event this is a great listen! Recommended.

HeKz, Caerus

Today another firmly in the rock zone, metallic and prog-oriented. Here are HeKz, a talented quintet who fashion committed lyrics woven around songwriting of a memorable nature and laced with intricate instrumental routines that keep your ears busy in good ways. The album at hand is Caerus (bmhaudio 001), nine ambitious numbers featuring the out-front bass guitar and vocals of Matt Young, handy and idiomatic guitar work from Alastair Beveridge and Tom Smith, the keys of James Messenger and the drums of Kirk Brandham. They meld together as a unified well-drilled rock machine, not especially sounding like anybody as much as embodying metal-prog as state-of-the-art contemporaneity.

The vocals have that boisterous musicality that are what you might expect from such a group. Guitar solos show the hammering-on rapidity so much a part of the technical bag of accomplished players these days, but do not over rely upon speed.

The full impact of the band in their fully arranged music is what stands out as a whole in the end. HeKz will satisfy your need for something heavy and well put-together. A winner for those who enjoy the genre!